AS part of the city’s commitment to revive boxing development in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Executive Mayor, Councillor Nqaba Bhanga, and his mayoral committee have approved a new partnership, to be formally established with the Nelson Mandela Bay Promoters Association, for a three-year period.
Bhanga said that the investment of R5 million was intended to revive boxing in the metro.
“Nelson Mandela Bay was once a hub for boxing in the Eastern Cape and in the country and we are reminded of boxing champions, such as Phumzile Madikane and Vuyani Nene.
“I have taken a decision to appoint Vuyani and Phumzile to be attached in the directorate of sport in the institution, to make sure that they nurture a new talent of boxers,” Bhanga said.
The partnership between the city and boxing promoters comes after the city held a successful boxing indaba in March, where stakeholders engaged for two days, looking at long term goals to revive the sport in the city.
During the three-year period, the city would invest R5 million which would be injected between now and 2023.
NMB Promoters Association deputy chairperson, David Faas, who attended the mayor’s meeting, said, “We are very excited and sure that after this meeting, boxing in NMB will reclaim its spot as a mecca of boxing.”
Faas added that this partnership is a first of its kind, “We are very excited.
“When the mayor mentioned Nene and Madikane, I was close to tears, as I had not expected it. We applaud the announcement made by the mayor concerning these former champions.”
Issued: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office
