Mbali Zantsi from Zantsi Showtime Productions has come down hard on Boxing South Africa (BSA) after the fistic regulator failed to send a representative at the funeral of the late South Africa’s first female world champion Unathi Myekeni this past weekend.
Myekeni, a former World Boxing Federation (WBF) female junior-featherweight and featherweight titlist, passed away two weeks ago after losing a fight against cancer.
Managers, trainers, promoters, current and former boxers converged in Phumlani village outside KuGompo City to bid farewell to Myekeni on Saturday. However, not a single BSA official attended the funeral something which got Zantsi, who promoted a good number of Myekeni’s fights, hot under the collar.
Speaking to Ink Sport, Zantsi said: “I’m disappointed with what Boxing South Africa did. They said nothing about Unathi and didn’t even send someone to her funeral. Not even the acting BSA provincial manager attended the funeral. Actually, BSA didn’t even acknowledge Unathi.
“It’s embarrassing to think that BSA didn’t care about Unathi’s death. Unathi was one of the trailblazers and yet they forgot about her. Female boxing was not fashionable when Unathi and others turned professional. The less said about the Women in Boxing committee, the better.”
Contacted for comment, BSA chief executive officer Tsholofelo Lejaka said: “The news of the former WBF super-bantam world champ, Unathi Myekeni, struck all of us like a sharp sword through our hearts. As we dipped our banners in recognition of the passing away of this legend and pioneer of the women in boxing movement, on 22 April 2026 Boxing South Africa issued its media statement to this effect.
“On Saturday, 2 May 2026, Boxing SA made arrangements for the provincial manager to represent the professional boxing family at the bereavement. Unfortunately, due to other conflicting and unforeseen developments, the provincial manager could not make it to the bereavement. This unfortunate development is regrettable and definitely no indictment in the respect and honour that Boxing SA attaches to Unathi’s legacy and her breathtaking accomplishments on and off the ring.”
Myekeni, who passed away aged 44, spent 12 years exchanging blows with different opponents inside the ring. Before passing away, she spent time working at a mine in Carletonville, Gauteng. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
