MDANTSANE Indoor Sports Centre has been chosen as the venue for Sunday's boxing tournament in honour of fallen struggle heroes Solomon Mahlangu, Chris Hani and Oliver Tambo, promoter Andile Sdinile announced yesterday.
Mahlangu was convicted on charges of murder and terrorism in 1977.
The first Umkhonto weSizwe cadre to be executed, he was hanged at the Pretoria Central Prison on April 6 1979.
Hani, leader of the SA Communist Party and chief of staff of Umkhonto weSizwe, was shot dead on April 10 1993 and 14 days later Tambo, a founder member of the ANC Youth League, died of natural causes.
Sdinile said the 2000-seat venue was perfect for an event of this magnitude because Mdantsane, the second-largest township after Soweto, celebrates its 50th anniversary this month.
It is situated between East London and King Williams Town.
Sdinile said Mdantsane, home to many great boxers past and present, including the late Nkosana "Happy Boy" Mgxaji, was established during apartheid in 1963.
Sdinile dubbed his eight-bout tournament the Celebration of Heroes Month.
"It is thus proper to celebrate Mdantsane and the lives of these heavyweight politicians with fists of fury," said Sdinile.
"It will be an event that is linked to South Africa's history."
He added that the tournament was also aimed at pushing Mdantsane prospects Lusanda Komanisi and Makazole Tete closer to fighting for national titles.
Komanisi is rated No 7 in the featherweight division.
His bout with Simphiwe Tom, the number two contender from Western Cape, will top Sunday's bill.
Sdinile said their 10-rounder will be an official title eliminator.
Tete, who occupies the eighth spot in the flyweight class, will square up to Siyabonga Blaaw, who is yet to be rated, over six rounds.
Komanisi and Tete are trained in Gauteng by Nick Durandt.
Action begins at 2pm.
Mdantsane scene of fistic tribute to icons
MDANTSANE Indoor Sports Centre has been chosen as the venue for Sunday's boxing tournament in honour of fallen struggle heroes Solomon Mahlangu, Chris Hani and Oliver Tambo, promoter Andile Sdinile announced yesterday.
Mahlangu was convicted on charges of murder and terrorism in 1977.
The first Umkhonto weSizwe cadre to be executed, he was hanged at the Pretoria Central Prison on April 6 1979.
Hani, leader of the SA Communist Party and chief of staff of Umkhonto weSizwe, was shot dead on April 10 1993 and 14 days later Tambo, a founder member of the ANC Youth League, died of natural causes.
Sdinile said the 2000-seat venue was perfect for an event of this magnitude because Mdantsane, the second-largest township after Soweto, celebrates its 50th anniversary this month.
It is situated between East London and King Williams Town.
Sdinile said Mdantsane, home to many great boxers past and present, including the late Nkosana "Happy Boy" Mgxaji, was established during apartheid in 1963.
Sdinile dubbed his eight-bout tournament the Celebration of Heroes Month.
"It is thus proper to celebrate Mdantsane and the lives of these heavyweight politicians with fists of fury," said Sdinile.
"It will be an event that is linked to South Africa's history."
He added that the tournament was also aimed at pushing Mdantsane prospects Lusanda Komanisi and Makazole Tete closer to fighting for national titles.
Komanisi is rated No 7 in the featherweight division.
His bout with Simphiwe Tom, the number two contender from Western Cape, will top Sunday's bill.
Sdinile said their 10-rounder will be an official title eliminator.
Tete, who occupies the eighth spot in the flyweight class, will square up to Siyabonga Blaaw, who is yet to be rated, over six rounds.
Komanisi and Tete are trained in Gauteng by Nick Durandt.
Action begins at 2pm.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos