Even though he has acknowledged that the term of office of the executive of the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association (NPBPA) has expired, Tsholofelo Lejaka has defended his decision to meet them.
Lejaka, the Boxing South Africa (BSA) chief executive officer, revealed that the NPBPA, through Kaya Majeke, has sought an audience with the fistic regulator. This is so despite the three-year term of the NPBPA executive committee having expired in almost two months ago.
And responding to a letter from Triple B Promotions boss Ntsikelelo Manyisane, who queried the wisdom of giving a platform to an executive whose term had expired, Lejaka said: “The decision to continue engaging with the current executive committee despite the expiration of their term of office is not a matter of legitimising their position, but rather fulfilling our responsibility as outlined in the Boxing South Africa Act of 2001.
“Affording audience to all practitioners and stakeholders in the professional boxing space is the primary duty of the regulator. At times, this might mean providing or receiving constructive criticism, including at times being bearers of bad news, but still, this must be done.”
Lejaka added: “We believe that maintaining open lines of communication with the current executive is crucial during this period. It allows us to provide guidance, share insights and help them fulfil their remaining responsibilities, including, most importantly, accountability to their members.”
The BSA boss quoted Section 8 of the Boxing South Africa Act of 2001, which talks about the regulator assisting in the formation or establishment of an association or federation of associations.
“I want to assure you that Boxing South Africa values the input and concerns of all stakeholders in the boxing community. From our understanding of your concern is your view that the continued communications between Boxing South Africa and the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association legitimises what is ordinarily a leadership whose term of office has expired,” Lejaka said.
Manyisane said: “I’m disappointed with his response. It seems as if he’s batting in the corner of the defunct NPBPA executive. People need to be reminded that South African boxing is governed by an Act of Parliament.” – Monwabisi Jimlongo
