It's been almost two months since Ntambi Ravele was appointed acting chairwoman of Boxing South Africa (BSA) at a time when the organisation was under intense scrutiny.
She came to the helm after the sudden resignations of chairman Ngconde Balfour and board members Dumile Mateza and Thabani Khumalo.
Ravele's appointment by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula coincided with the series of provincial boxing indabas that were held to craft and adopt the future of boxing in the country last month.
"Part of the reason I was doing it was to have a better understanding of the challenges and dynamics in the different provinces, and to interact with our licensees," she said.
"Those gatherings helped us to channel the direction of where we want to go. While we were focusing on them, the other challenge was the issue of a court case involving our CEO, Moffat Qithi, as well as the allegations about his alleged criminal record.
"It forced us to split our focus and deal with it. We had to move fast in addressing it and that required us to take an urgent decision to discuss with him the issue of his precautionary suspension."
BSA director of operations, Loyiso Mtya, has since been appointed as acting chief executive.
Ravele said the national Boxing Indaba, hosted by the Sports Ministry in Pretoria last month, was a success.
"BSA and licensees managed to come up with resolutions to take boxing to the next level. That will see the sport regain its lost respect and bring back its lost followers."
She said another highlight was when she was invited to East London by promoter Ayanda Matiti, who donated R100 000 towards bursaries, last week.
"Matiti's actions showed me that it is not only about receiving, but giving back as well. His gesture is a challenge not only to promoters but to BSA as well," she said.
Ravele optimistic about boxing's future
It's been almost two months since Ntambi Ravele was appointed acting chairwoman of Boxing South Africa (BSA) at a time when the organisation was under intense scrutiny.
She came to the helm after the sudden resignations of chairman Ngconde Balfour and board members Dumile Mateza and Thabani Khumalo.
Ravele's appointment by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula coincided with the series of provincial boxing indabas that were held to craft and adopt the future of boxing in the country last month.
"Part of the reason I was doing it was to have a better understanding of the challenges and dynamics in the different provinces, and to interact with our licensees," she said.
"Those gatherings helped us to channel the direction of where we want to go. While we were focusing on them, the other challenge was the issue of a court case involving our CEO, Moffat Qithi, as well as the allegations about his alleged criminal record.
"It forced us to split our focus and deal with it. We had to move fast in addressing it and that required us to take an urgent decision to discuss with him the issue of his precautionary suspension."
BSA director of operations, Loyiso Mtya, has since been appointed as acting chief executive.
Ravele said the national Boxing Indaba, hosted by the Sports Ministry in Pretoria last month, was a success.
"BSA and licensees managed to come up with resolutions to take boxing to the next level. That will see the sport regain its lost respect and bring back its lost followers."
She said another highlight was when she was invited to East London by promoter Ayanda Matiti, who donated R100 000 towards bursaries, last week.
"Matiti's actions showed me that it is not only about receiving, but giving back as well. His gesture is a challenge not only to promoters but to BSA as well," she said.