Musangwe season is back and in full swing already

The time has come again for the boys to be separated from the men by showing their ability to outsmart each other in a traditional bare-knuckle fist-fighting (musangwe) ring. The annual Musangwe tournament started in earnest at the mecca of musangwe at Tshifudi, outside Thohoyandou, on Saturday, 2 December.

Unlike previous years, where only a few fighters and spectators turned up for the opening ceremony, this year, more than 500 eager fans showed up on the first day.

Mr Pfarelo Mahadulula, who is one of the organisers, was beaming with excitement when outlining this year’s preparations. “I can say with confidence that it is all systems go, and this year will be different from the previous years. We have done our spade work, starting with the traditional leaders, who are the owners and custodians of this sport. We visited and invited all the local traditional leaders where our fighters live. We hope some will find the time to come and spend a day watching their subjects promoting the sport of their ancestors. This will bring back the respect the sport used to command in days gone by.”

Mahadulula said that to see the different clubs bringing their charges on the first day was heartwarming. “We had more than 27 fights, which were mostly the youths. The good news is that big names like Vhokota, Vhongwazi, and others, have also indicated their availability and that they will be part of the proceedings. The boys are roaring to go. We do not have anything to give them, but they are willing to fight it out without any compensation. This shows how much the sport is loved in our communities,” Mahadulula said.

Mr Abraham Rabala, who owns a boxing stable at Mukula, also took his charges to the tournament for the opening ceremony. “My boys are ready. We are just resting here at home because of the excessive heat, otherwise, we would have been at the tournament every day. The spirits are high and this year promises to be the best,” he said.

For more information and how to enter to fight in the tournament, contact Mr Mafhungo Mphathele on 076 337 5754 or Mr Pfarelo Mahadulula on 064 947 3835.

Date:16 December 2023

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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