We pay homage to the legendary Dingaan Thobela “The Rose of Soweto” who sadly passed on 29 April 2024. The Rose that mesmerised the hearts of mzansi people turned around to present a heartbreak! Although allegedly having passed on alone, it has been a life of celebration of a talented boxer who delivered and enchanted scores of boxing fans, having defeated big names abroad, bringing the spotlight to our shores.
At the height of his boxing career, we graced the Television screens even up to wee hours of morning anticipating his flighted title fights. With tantalizing and entertaining moves inside the ring, Thobela’s assuring figure was a marvel to watch, with the powerful punches that he unleashed, a delight to see his opponents hitting the canvas. Bout after bout, title after title, in those days it felt good to be a Sowetan. Echoes of iconography, a sleek dresser coupled with a fine taste on luxury cars who made the who’s who’s of Soweto want to mingle with. Chiawelo location’ landscape changed and came alive as the centrepiece of his roots, evidenced by the fleet of vehicles from the funeral parlour that entrenched his entrepreneurship. The memorable bouts, that underscored his quest in the ring were the fights against Tony Lopez for the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title and against Glenn Catley, to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-middleweight title. In the era that boxing as a sport reached its crescendo, one could hear loud ululations, loud music blasted from Hi-fi’ music centre speakers (umgongo) and loud honks from passing vehicles blown as the Rose lifted his coveted belts. He paraded with his crew in the location streets after his title wins as fans, young and old lined up the streets to cheer on their hero.
The journalists of the time and photojournalists would depict well the lives of achievers because in the backdrop of oppression and self emancipation, we were desperate to identify with our own hero’s and achievers. The Drum magazine, Bona magazine, Pace and many others painted with high gloss the cover photos of the likes of Dingaan Thobela, our colourful much loved champion!
In a professional career which spanned from 1986 until 2006, Thobela was a multiple world-boxing champion, having won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and WBA lightweight, and World WBC super-middleweight titles. Thobela whom we followed with our heartbeats with every boxing round would ultimately become a three-time world champion.
For many aspiring boxers across the nation he was a gem, and in all likelihood the evidence that any goal can be achieved! I remember once a time on the street pavement a guy promising his rival, “monna ke tla go neela ka dingane”, (my man I’ll serve you a Dingaan fist!). After hanging his gloves, Thobela took a swipe at boxing commentary on the small screen, a manoeuvre that he took with the utmost confidence and well commended at presenting live fights behind the mic on the sport that he passionately and so dearly loved.
Among his meritorious awards Thobela, was a recipient of the Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket Award. For the many boxing clubs from the Eastern Cape to the north of Limpopo, this great athlete will be remembered for his sterling work and then some, his humility.
His bright shining star having inspired many that came after, keeps the sport’s fire burning and meritoriously upholds the SA boxing fraternity’s hall of fame!
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
