Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie met with the newly appointed board of Boxing South Africa on Friday following their acceptance of appointment on Thursday, 19 December 2024. For the meeting, the Minister was accompanied and supported by Deputy Minister Peace Mabe.

The new board announcement follows the Minister’s decision during the latter part of August 2024 to dissolve the former board as necessitated to resolve a court challenge against that board’s appointment during the last administration.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s selection panel and Minister McKenzie led a shortlisting process of nominated candidates followed by a period of public consultation with various stakeholders, including boxing promoters, as required by legislation. The public consultation process provided an opportunity for the public to object to any short-listed individual.

At the conclusion of this process, the panel interviewed short-listed candidates and provided a final list of recommended candidates, from which the Minister appointed seven individuals.

The Minister was pleased to receive a letter dated 19 December from the National Professional Boxing Promoters’ Association – the same organisation who had previously gone to court over the former board’s appointment – expressing confidence in the announcement of the new board and showing a willingness to work with Boxing South Africa’s new leadership.

The Minister expressed confidence in the new board comprising of individuals bringing a fresh approach and will not be deterred by historical linkages to the sport, which often becomes subject of dispute and contestation.

The new Board of Boxing South Africa is comprised as follows:

1. Ms. Ayanda Zamantungwa Khumalo (Chairperson)

2. Mr. Mthokozisi Praisegod Radebe

3. Mr. Sydney James

4. Ms. Rina Subotzky Jude

5. Ms. Saudah Hamid

6. Mr. Siyakhula Simelane

7. Mr. Vincent Blennies

 

During his meeting with the new board, Minister McKenzie congratulated and wished them well at the start of their three-year tenure. He emphasised that the board should concern itself with playing a strategic role and exercising oversight of the entity’s senior management team, and always put the wellbeing of boxers first.

Further strategic points for the board’s consideration would be whether to consider the plea of the boxing community for an update to Boxing South Africa’s regulations, along with other considerations to streamline the management and administration of the sport.

Minister McKenzie said, “boxing was once the second most popular sport in South Africa, and it remains a massive sport globally. However, we have seen a dramatic decline in the health of this sport in South Africa over recent years, with unfortunate periods of broadcast blackout, the exploitation of boxers, sustainability concerns for promoters, the domination of the boxing ecosystem by a small group of promoters and a too-complex system of sanctioning fights and taking payment from promoters, which leads to arguments over payments”.

The Minister said he was looking forward to seeing boxers retake their rightful place as being among South Africa’s most celebrated athletes, both domestically and as world champions. He also made it clear that he would like to see South Africans competing in boxing again at the next Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Boxing was one of the saving graces of sport during apartheid, and we cannot allow this sport with so much history and heritage to wither on the vine”, said the Minister. Minister noted the appointment of this board, “as a moment of great pride for me and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe and is another step forward for the Government of National Unity under President Cyril Ramaphosa”. 

Closing the meeting, Boxing South Africa’s new Chairperson, Ayanda Khumalo, expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s words of confidence and encouragement and that she and the new board would work with dedication to restore the sport to glory.

 

For media enquiries:

Ms Zimasa Velaphi, Head of Communication and Marketing: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: +27 (0) 72 172 8925

Mr Chade Kramer, Acting Spokesperson: Office of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: ChadeK@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: +27 60 989 5711

 

Issued by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture

Date Published