Local is lekker

Young boxing stars need support

Coach Mzi Damesi of the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club is very proud of his talented young boxers who achieved three gold medals and one silver medal at the recent Provincial Boxing Championships. These four young boxers now have the opportunity to represent the Western Cape at the National Championships to be held in Mpumalanga on 21 September.

As an NPO, the club is still in need of additional funds for Mzi’s travel costs to accompany the boys, as well as accommodation and catering. “Mzi has a heart of gold and he means so much to these boys,” says local resident Carole Dods, who has supported the club for many years. “As a former professional boxer he has dedicated his life to training approximately 40 youngsters after school hours, teaching them not only boxing but also self-discipline and motivation.”

Last week Mzi was contacted by Sheron and Rene Pretorius from Franskraal with an unexpected gift. Sheron’s father, Jimmy North, had been a boxer in the UK back in the day before immigrating to South Africa after World War II. Sheron still had all her father’s trophies “gathering dust in a box” and when she heard about Mzi’s boxing club from Carole, she decided to donate the trophies to him. Mzi was overwhelmed by this kind gesture and the trophies will be put to good use to further inspire and motivate his students.

When Carole met Mzi, they were training in a dark room with broken windows but are now based in a few containers placed on a concrete slab at the Zwelihle sports grounds. Apart from the funds needed to travel to the National Boxing Championships, the club is in need of gym equipment, boxing bags and gloves, head gear and training shoes. They are also looking for the services of an administrator/bookkeeper who can volunteer a few hours a month to keep the NPO up to date.

Anyone who wishes to support them by making a donation or volunteering their services can contact Carole on 082 890 5749 or Mzi on 082 621 5906.

Coach Mzi Damesi with Siphamandla Damesi (16), Atang Sikithi (16), Akhule Mgoqi (15) and Lutho Cothoyi (16) who achieved three gold and one silver medal at the recent Provincial Boxing Championships and now have the opportunity to represent the Western Cape at the National Boxing Championships in Mpumalanga on 21 September.

Rene and Sheron Pretorius with the trophies of Sheron’s late father which she has donated to Mzi Damesi (middle), the coach of Overstrand Whale Boxing Club.

Sheron’s father, Jimmy North, posing with the trophies he won during his boxing career in the UK.