Learn how to be a champion

It's a significant period for the CPUT Boxing Team, ranked number four by the University Sports South Africa (USSA).

The team put in “blood, sweat, and tears” in preparation to take on boxers from universities across the country at the University of Mpumalanga at the end of April.

“We have already started with our programme and participated in two tournaments already – one in Durbanville on 26 February and another in Dunoon on 5 March.  On the 12th of March, we will be fighting in Khayelitsha,” said Mvemve Mdingi, the team manager.

Mdingi, also the Faculty of Education Senior Phase Lecturer and Further Education and Training write-out Co-ordinator, said they welcome every student interested in becoming a world champion one day and accept both starters and experienced boxers.

“We would like to welcome all students, both males and females, to join our sport of boxing. Boxing is one of the sporting codes that encourages discipline and self-determination. It is good for self-defence and fitness. Let us help you learn how to be a champion. This year, we have a very busy calendar, and our boxers participate in district, provincial, and national SANABO [South African National Boxing Organisation] championships. Some of our boxers have been selected to participate in the Western Cape Open Boxing Champions League from 21 March 2022 until 17 December 2022.” 

The team trains from Monday to Friday from 17:00 to 19:00 at the Bellville campus Stadium Club House.

The team performed very well in the USSA 2021 games held in December in Richards Bay, coming home with nine medals, one gold, five silver and three bronze. Lumka Mswelanto received the medal for Best Female Coach of the Tournament, while Aphiwe Ntluzwana was elected as USSA's national executive.

Mdingi boasted that a B Ed (Intermediate Phase Teaching) student, Likho Nxele competed in the SANABO National Youth and Elite Championships and received a gold medal.  “She then went on to represent South Africa in the international African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games held in Lesotho, where she received a silver medal.”

AUSC is composed of 10 African Countries in the SADC region.  Mdingi added: “There is a great potential that she will be going to England to compete in the Commonwealth Games in July this year. Mdingi expressed his gratitude for the support given to boxing by the Head of the Sports Department, Siyabulela Mkhwalo.

“CPUT has great potential and talent, and once the COVID-19 pandemic lets go of us, a lot can be achieved. The plan is to grow boxing into other campuses like Mowbray and District Six in 2022 to increase competition,” Mdingi continued.

“Boxing is one of the best sports in helping anger management which is one of the reasons that we have lots of people in prisons. Boxing also teaches students the importance of practising and preparing to achieve goals.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

Email: boyceap@cput.ac.za