Thapelo Bokwe, who was once rated number one in the South African female flyweight division, was laid to rest following a funeral service held at the Professor Jakes Gerwel Multipurpose Centre in KwaNojoli, Eastern Cape, on Sunday.
Trained by Siyabulela ‘Baba’ Makala, Bokwe, 24, passed away after she complained about a severe headache almost two weeks ago.
Bokwe’s former stablemates, boxing trainers and managers, were in attendance to bid her goodbye.
Among the mourners were Boxing South Africa (BSA) officials led by the regulator’s chief executive officer Tsholofelo Lejaka, Eastern Cape provincial manager Siya Vabaza-Booi and Zukisani Nazo, who works at BSA head offices in Hatfield, Pretoria.
Speaking on behalf of BSA, Lejaka said: “I’m here today to bring respect from the board and the Minister of Sport. It’s not too many times when I get out of office to bid farewell to a boxer.
“Thapelo was a jewel that brought us together. We can talk about her from different angles. In times like these, you close ranks. Let us not allow the devil to divide us. This is all that I plead for.”
Vabaza-Booi, meanwhile, remarked: “We are here because of a young woman. I called her ‘Shy Girl’ because she was reserved. In boxing, we give you three minutes when we want to see how you would go. Thapelo was a brave boxer.”
Talking about Bokwe, former Eastern Cape provincial amateur coach Khangelani Jack said: “There’s a lot I could say about Thapelo. I first met Thapelo at the 2016 championships in Mdantsane. She was brought to Mdantsane by Bro Babes. I was the provincial coach at the time and I had to know all the boxers. To the family, fear not, God is still with us.”
Luyanda Kana, who’s a matchmaker, said: “As we are here, we are boxing people. I’m a matchmaker who pits boxers against each other. Babes brought Thapelo to Mdantsane for a test towards getting to the professional level. Thapelo had a brave heart. I was able to make fights for her. She passed away while I was busy organising a fight for her against an opponent from Gqeberha.”
Bokwe passed away as Makala had voiced his concerns as she had been removed from the ratings. Makala felt that the ratings committee was unfair to his boxer, who last fought when she lost to Nomfundo Xaba in April this year.
With a professional record of two wins and two losses, Bokwe suffered defeats to Okuhle Mthi in October 2023 in Gqeberha and against Xaba at the Scenery Park Hall, East London.
