The A-to-Z Boxing Academy in Thohoyandou received a shot in the arm when one of its former boxing students, Rofhiwa "Tsetse Fly" Nemushungwa, donated brand new boxing gloves to the academy on 2 January.
Nemushungwa, who is rated number two in his class in the Boxing South Africa (BSA) rankings, started his boxing career under the tutelage of John "Smoking Joe" Nemakonde, the founder and managing director of the A-to-Z Boxing academy. Nemushungwa said the donation was a token of appreciation for the good work Nemakonde was doing for the people of the Vhembe District.
"Mr Nemakonde spotted me when I was still a bare-knuckle fighter and trained me to become a boxer. Under him I had won five fights, drawn one and lost one," he said.
After passing Grade 12, Nemushungwa relocated to Gauteng to continue his studies. In Johannesburg, he joined Allan Toweel's gym and is now ranked second best in South Africa and Africa, and number 37 in the world in the bantamweight division.
Nemakonde thanked Nemushungwa for the much-needed boxing gloves. "We are very grateful for this gift. It will motivate the boxers to work even harder to emulate Nemushungwa's success."
Nemakonde said they needed resources, such as a boxing ring. "The only time our boxers ever see a boxing ring is during fights."