MNGUNI TO BE BURIED IN ALICE ON SUNDAY

By Monwabisi Jimlongo 

The family of the late boxing trainer and promoter Mzimasi ‘Bro Mzi’ Mnguni has decided to have two funeral services for the departed boxing personality. 
The first funeral service is going to be held at the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, Gompo in East London, on Saturday. The second service is set for MaZotshweni village in Alice on Sunday. 
Mnguni, who passed away at an East London hospital aged 73 on Saturday morning, will then be laid to rest in MaZotshweni village, his place of birth, on Sunday.
“We are going to have two funeral services, one in East London on Saturday and the other one in Alice on Sunday. We are doing this to accommodate both East London and Alice communities,” Mnguni’s younger brother Sihle said. 
Mnguni had not been well since he suffered a stroke in 2014. 
A second born in a family of three boys and three girls, Mnguni was an accomplished boxing trainer and promoter. Welcome Ncita, Vuyani Bungu, Mbulelo Botile and Zolani Petelo just to mention a few were guided to world glory by Mnguni. 
He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from then Minister of Sport Thulas Nxesi during the 2017 edition of the South African Boxing Awards in Port Elizabeth in February 2018. 

Planga as Mnguni was called in East London boxing circles grew up in MaZotshweni village before the bright lights of Johannesburg beckoned more than five decades ago. 
A staunch Moroka Swallows supporter, Mnguni worked in Johannesburg until he decided to leave the City of Gold to settle in East London more than 40 years ago. 
It was only after settling in East London that the boxing bug bit Mnguni. He produced many provincial, national and world champions at his Eyethu Boxing Gym in Mdantsane.