Government denies funding Zodwa Wabantu and Khanyi Mbau boxing match

Celebrity boxing matches started gaining traction in South Africa when rapper Cassper Nyovest stepped into the boxing ring with YouTuber Slik Talk back in 2021.

The fight was initiated when Slik posted a video insulting Cassper, to which the rapper responded by offering the YouTuber R100 000 to engage in a boxing match with him as “he would no longer give attention to trolls on social media”.

Since then, Cassper has also stepped into the ring with actor and musician NaakMusiQ, and Priddy Ugly.

While his fans are waiting in anticipation for his next boxing match, the rapper recently said he is focusing on making music for now.

Luckily, Mzansi won’t be left high and dry with no entertainment as two well-known South African women personalities are getting ready for a cat fight in the boxing ring.

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Zodwa Wabantu and Khanyi Mbau boxing match

Raunchy dancer Zodwa Wabantu confirmed on Wednesday morning that she will be fighting South African actress, musician, television presenter and socialite Khanyi Mbau at The Ridge Casino in Mpumalanga on 22 October.

“It’s been a long time coming. I can’t wait to set my foot in the ring. Infinity International boxing has made it possible,” the singer wrote on Instagram announcing the fight.

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Confusion around sponsors for boxing match

The CEO of Boxing SA, Nsikayezwe Sithole told Sowetan that it endorsed The Women in Boxing exhibition and gave promoter Arnold “Squire” Nododile, the owner of Infinity International Boxing money to host the tournament.

This after Nododile was caught using the logos of the department of sports, arts and culture in Mpumalanga as well as the logo of Emalahleni local municipality to promote the event without their knowledge, creating the illusion that they are sponsors of the event.  

Director of sports and recreation Bhutini Ngoma told Sowetan that while the national department had allocated about R350 000 for his department’s programmes aimed at empowering boxers, the department had not yet allocated the funds to any projects due to budget cuts.

Emalahleni local municipality local spokesperson Lebogang Mofokeng said the use of their logo was unauthorised, adding they [the municipality] knew nothing about the event.

Despite the unauthorised use of the two government entities’ logos, the boxing extravaganza will go ahead as planned with the sponsors who have agreed to be part of the event.

Sithole said the engagements between them and the department [of sports, arts and culture in Mpumalanga] are still ongoing and that he has warned Nododile against using logos of potential sponsors.

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