A local female boxer, Zwidofhelangani Nemutandani, could not hide her excitement after qualifying for a professional boxing licence at Magoebaskloof in Tzaneen earlier this month.
Nemutandani, from Lwamondo village, joined the Thohoyandou A-Z Boxing Club as an amateur last year under the guidance of experienced local trainer John "Smoking Joe" Nemakonde.
Speaking to Limpopo Mirror, Nemutandani said that although she had been confident of passing the test to become a professional boxer, she was still overjoyed when she finally qualified on Saturday.
"It is now time for me to start the journey to emulate my favourite boxer, Benjamin Whittaker. I can't wait to make my professional boxing debut and show the boxing fraternity that the lady from Lwamondo village has arrived," she said.
Her international hero, Benjamin Whittaker from Britain, remains undefeated with eight wins, no losses and one draw in his nine professional bouts.
Nemutandani said she had already begun changing her lifestyle and eating habits.
"From now on, I will spend my time at the gym instead of moving around with friends doing nothing. I am also saying goodbye to junk food and sugary drinks. I will be drinking only water to avoid gaining weight," she said.
She added that although she had just turned professional, she had already realised that there was a lack of sponsorship and boxing promoters in the Vhembe District in particular, and Limpopo Province in general.
"I am pleading with boxing promoters and prospective sponsors to come and see me in action, and I hope they will be impressed with what they see," she said.