With Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie going to announce a rumoured R200 million injection into penniless Boxing South Africa (BSA), a tournament in honour of the Steve Tshwete has also been announced.
The tournament was announced on Friday by McKenzie on the last day of the two-day boxing convention held at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC).
Tshwete was the first Minister of Sport and Recreation in a democratic South Africa after he was appointed to the position by the late former State President Nelson Mandela.
A former Robben Island political prisoner, Tshwete passed away in April 2002 aged 63. Tshwete was at the time of his death the Minister of Safety and Security under former State President Thabo Mbeki.
“We are gonna launch a Steve Tshwete Fighting Tournament, not only for men, for women also. The first tournament is gonna be held in April,” McKenzie said.
“He was such a great minister. Whenever I come in the world, people ask me and they tell me stories about him. He’s from another party, we don’t have jealousy. We are honouring greatness.”
McKenzie added: “Hold me accountable for the Steve Tshwete tournament. It’s gonna be in all provinces and there will be the main one at Orient. People are gonna get money, people are gonna be happy. It’s gonna be on TV.”
Meanwhile, McKenzie promised that the face of women’s boxing was set to change and he will make an announce in two months’ time.
“To the women, you are in a less fortunate position. They have ignored you, but don’t ignore yourselves. Start now, there’s money. End of April there’s more money coming. Work around that money,” McKenzie said. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
