Former world champion Noni Tenge has been left with more questions than answers after Boxing South Africa (BSA) failed to send a representative to the funeral service of the late Unathi Myekeni last Saturday.
Myekeni, a former World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior-featherweight and featherweight female titlist, passed away more than two weeks ago after she lost her battle against cancer and was laid to rest in Phumlani village outside KuGompo City.
And now Tenge has spoken out for the first time as she’s reflecting on what happened on Saturday.
“Unathi was the first female world champion from South Africa and she should have been respected. What frustrates me the most is the question of what’s going to happen to other female boxers when they pass away? What if it was me who passed away? Was BSA going to do the same thing? I’m really hurt, Unathi deserved better,” Tenge said.
The former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight, WBF welterweight and super-middleweight female champion added: “I’m not going to keep quiet when bad things like these happen to us. What happened to Unathi never happened when Baby Jake Matlala and Dingaan Thobela passed away. What’s the difference between us females and male boxers? Why are we being discriminated against? Female boxers, including those who have retired, are not valued by BSA.”
Last month, BSA chief executive officer Tsholofelo Lejaka and the regulator’s director of operations Mandla Ntlanganiso visited Tenge at her Mdantsane home after they had heard that she was not okay.
“Yes, they visited me and I appreciate that. But Unathi’s situation needed their attention,” Tenge remarked.
Meanwhile, Lejaka has revealed that acting BSA Eastern Cape provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs visited the Myekeni family on Wednesday.
“Today (Wednesday) Mr Jacobs has gone to meet with the family. It’s important to do so because as we explained earlier, the plan was to be in attendance at the funeral but he unfortunately failed to attend. This has already been clarified with the family and today it’s to pay respect in person and close whatever that BSA has to sort wit the family.
“Those who are upset and enraged though, we do understand their disappointment and rage. Unathi was a darling to us all, so it’s our belief that it’s out of passion that they feel as they do.” – Monwabisi Jimlongo
