A young boxer from Moses Mabida in Kirkwood is fast knocking his way to becoming a legend not only in the Sundays River Valley, but in the country.
Bonwabile Mnyungulwa (21) also known as “Boni”, recently represented South Africa at a boxing tournament in Germany, where he won three gold medals.
As an elite 60kg junior light amateur boxer he has qualified for the South African team to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He was also selected for the All Africa team to participate in Australia during September.
“He does what he loves most, boxing. Our late grandfather did not want him to box, but Boni continued. One day he showed our grandfather the medals he had won. From that day on our grandfather became his biggest supporter,” said Sinothando Tom, Boni’s nephew and spokesperson.
Boni, an employee at Good Hope Packhouse, is a member of Mzamo Boxing Club where coach Luvuyo Mzamo is proud of his South African amateur boxing champions.
“Boni became a SA champ at the age of 17. We train in a very small room, but he is absolutely devoted to this sport. Whilst walking to work and back home, he will practise his steps and hits,” said Luvuyo, a former South African boxing champion himself.
“It is a small club and we do not have proper training facilities. This is mainly owing to a competitor club claiming the only recreation hall in Moses Madiba. It is like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates having to share the same training field, it does not work. But in spite of the training facility issues, we are producing champions of international standard,” said Luvuyo.
Boni is the only boxer from the Sundays River Valley being included in the All Africa boxing team as well as South African team to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Sinothando said, “Boni does not talk a lot, he rather lets his fists work for his medals to do the talking.
“What I admire most about him is that although living in difficult circumstances, he excels at what he does and never gives up with what he loves.”
For Boni, it not only is to fight in the boxing ring, it also is a fight to survive and to get recognised.
Through this he remembers his grandfather, who still is his inspiration.
“Our grandfather would take Boni’s fists and lick his knuckles before every fight, wishing him good luck and to bring home gold. And Boni did that!” said Sinothando.
Luvuyo also trained two female boxers to stardom as national champions. Bungiwe Colani as well as Thandiswa Kwanini received their national colors in boxing, thanks to Luvuyo’s exceptional taining skills.
“It would be great if we could have better and proper facilities to train in. There are so many talented young ones around and participation in sport keeps the young from wasting their lives on drugs and gangsterism,” said Luvuyo.
- Boni does not receive any financial support and needs to raise his own funds for participation. To support Boni in his boxing career contact Sinothando 074 870 4771 or Luvuyo 078 382 0838.
