By Monwabisi Jimlongo
South Africa’s most active boxing promoter Joyce Kungwane is patting herself on the back and has many reasons to feel satisfied after delivering four successful tournaments in three provinces – Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo – this year.
After taking a count and then emerged victorious against COVID-19 challenges, which forced her to postpone one of her tournaments in November, Kungwane is proud to have played her part in the fistic sport in 2021.
It is then no wonder that plans for 2022 have already been set in motion as Kungwane wants to do better than she did this year.
“This was a blessed year for me, which also had some challenges. In actual fact, I put up five tournaments,” the TLB Boxing Promotions boss said.
“One of my top boxers Nomeva (Ndongeni) fought three times this year. This is something that is very rare in boxing. I got (Bukiwe) Nonina to fight twice. Thato (Bonokoane) as well. I’m glad that I could help most of the boxers. I’m also glad I could deliver. I’m looking forward to 2022.”
This year has also dealt harshly with Kungwane as she lost her partner Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and her friend Andre Thysse. Both Ledwaba, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-featherweight champion, and Thysse, a one-time South African super-middleweight titlist, succumbed to COVID-19.
“COVID-19 has been a challenge. I lost my partner Ledwaba and my closest friend in boxing Andre Thysse. I also had one specific tournament where where the sponsor pulled out two days before the event. I had to use my money. This has been a bitter-sweet year for me,” Kungwane said.
