With the year just less than a week old, Mandla Ntlanganiso is dreaming big and hoping that the glory days will return to embattled South African boxing.
Ntlanganiso, who is the acting Boxing South Africa (BSA) chief executive officer, was speaking on SABC 1 isiXhosa news on Saturday evening.
South African boxing is under siege from a certain faction of the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association (NPBPA). The belligerent promoters are hell bent on fighting Minister of Sport Zizi Kodwa’s decision to appoint a new BSA board, which is made up of its chairperson Sifiso Shongwe, Luxolo September, Sakhiwe Sodo, Romy Titus, Princess Mangoma, Nande Mheshe and Dr Mary-Gene Manthata-Setati.
Already, the NPBPA has won round one of the fight as they successfully interdicted the installation of the new BSA board. The matter is still going to play itself out in the courts of law this year.
“We started with the SABC last year to make sure that boxing goes back to the people. Most people follow the SABC on radio,” Ntlanganiso, who joined BSA as director of operations in January 2022, said.
“We will also engage people from abroad to see to it that the love of boxing returns. Years ago, South Africa had champions like Vuyani Bungi, Welcome Ncita, Dingaan Thobela and Brian Mitchell. That was possible because the SABC and those who were in charge of sport were doing things accordingly.”
On the support and development of boxers, Ntlanganiso said: “The new board, which was appointed by the Minister of Sport and Culture is a board I believe has people from different backgrounds and sectors. It’s gonna bring back the dignity of boxing to the people. This sport needs people who are going to do things according to the Constitution because Boxing South Africa is an organisation governed by an Act of parliament. I’m hopeful that the new board will follow the rules and regulations.”
Meanwhile, Ntlanganiso is scheduled to address the media at a press conference, which is scheduled for 11am at the BSA offices next Tuesday.
