By Monwabisi Jimlongo
After she nearly forgot how it feels like to win a fight, Thema Zuma arrested a five-fight losing streak and defeated Bathabile Ziqubu at the Greyville Convention Centre in Durban on Sunday.
That was a sweet and the most important victory for Zuma because she became the new South African female junior-bantamweight champion, a feat she achieved in her third attempt of winning a national title.
With her last win having been in September 2018 against Cynthia Mthembu, it’s understandable why Zuma is over the moon.
“I’m very, very happy with winning the title. Actually, this feeling is indescribable. The fight was very close. I had prepared well for the fight even though we had some challenges during our preparations,” Zuma said.
The 29-year-old Zuma, who was born in Port Shepstone, persevered and never gave up even after she failed twice in her bid to win an SA title.
She lost to Simangele Hadebe when they fought for the then vacant SA female flyweight title in September last year. Before that she failed to dethrone former SA female bantamweight champion Melissa Miller in March 2019.
Boxing has taken Zuma from Port Shepstone to Lamontville in Durban where she stays at her trainer Sweetboy Sibisi’s home.
“I have been staying with my coach since I was nine years old. He’s done a lot for me. I lived with my granny before coming to stay with my coach,” she remarked.
Zuma has improved her record to six wins (one knockout) and six losses while Ziqubu dropped to three victories and two defeats.
