Tributes are pouring in for the late former Boxing South Africa (BSA) manager in the Western Cape, Andile Miki Klaas, who passed away on Sunday afternoon.
Klaas from Gugulethu in Cape Town spent two decades working as BSA boss in the Western Cape.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Klaas family following the passing away of their beloved grandfather, father, brother, husband and son. The entire Western Cape boxing community stands in solidarity with you during this difficult time,” Mzoli Tempi, who succeeded Klaas as BSA provincial manager in the Western Cape, said on Monday.
“Andile Miki Klaas, the last chairperson of the Western Cape Boxing Commission, later became the inaugural provincial manager for the Western Cape. In 1997, he became the commission’s chairperson, representing the Western Cape in the South African National Boxing Board Commission.”
When then Minister of Sport, Ngconde Balfour, disbanded the commissions and formed BSA in 2000, Klaas transitioned into the role of the first provincial manager.
“He demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his tenure, guiding the province with distinction. His passion for boxing and commitment to the well-being of boxers occasionally led him to confrontations with his superiors, a testament to his unwavering dedication. Mr Klaas held the position until 2020 when, regrettably, his contract was not renewed,” Tempi concluded.
Klaas was, at the time of his passing away, serving as a fight supervisor for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) in Africa.
