As thousands of South Africans mourn the passing of boxing icon Dingaan ‘Rose of Soweto’ Thobela, local boxing promoter Nestor Tobias joined in to pay tribute to a man he said has shaped Namibian boxing.
Tobias, a long-time friend of Thobela, shared memories of their enduring friendship.
I remember him as a vibrant, funny and friendly individual, who enjoyed all boxing-related activities.
“I first met Thobela at Portugal Hall during the South African (SA) Amateur Championship in 1989.
“In 1992, our paths crossed again in Johannesburg, where Harry Simon senior and I were working towards getting our boxing licences. This is where I also had the pleasure of meeting his coach, Norman Hlabane.
“However, our true friendship began in 1993 when Thobela invited me to Sun City for his second fight against United States of America’s Tony Lopez. We trained together when he was preparing for this fight. We enjoyed sparring together. He was the number one fighter in Africa. Although SA has produced numerous talented boxers, the ‘Rose of Soweto’ was truly in a class of his own. In my opinion, he was the most skilful boxer to emerge from SA – if not the entire African continent,” Tobias shared.
He said his late friend’s connection to Namibia runs deep, as he even fought under a Namibian boxing licence in Canada.
“That is how he showed his love to Namibia. He wasn’t merely a friend of Namibia – he was one of us. He was an integral part of the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy from the very beginning.
I appointed him as a board member due to his expansive knowledge of the sport. He played a pivotal role in helping us establish connections with top promoters in the world, and he was responsible for introducing Simon senior to former SA’s boxing great and renowned trainer Brian Mitchell, who later trained him to become a world champion,” narrated Tobias.
“Thobela’s popularity transcended borders, particularly in the 1990s, when even the late president Nelson Mandela sent him a letter of congratulations from prison upon winning his first world title. Our friendship extended beyond the boxing ring, as we often spent hours playing pool at his house in Sandton, our competitive spirits keeping us up until the early hours of the morning.”
Tobias said Thobela’s loss is felt deeply by Namibia and the world.
“His significant contributions to Namibian boxing development, including his instrumental role in the academy’s founding and fostering relationships with influential figures like the late president Hage Geingob, leave a legacy.
“Upon hearing of his passing, I was overcome with sadness. May his soul rest in perfect peace, knowing that his extraordinary impact on the boxing world and the lives he touched will never be forgotten,” Tobias said.
The revered boxer passed away at the age of 57 after a prolonged battle with illness, News24 reported on Tuesday.
According to News24, Thobela was a professional boxer for 16 years from 1990, and claimed three world titles in two weight divisions.
He won the World Boxing Organisation lightweight title in 1990, the World Boxing Association lightweight crown three years later and the World Boxing Council super-middleweight title in 2000.
His remarkable career spanned 56 fights, boasting 40 victories, including 26 by knockout, alongside 14 losses and two draws.
He was also a recipient of the Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket Award.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na