WATCH: Boxing in Rabie Ridge

When Rose Makgetha started the Midrand Boxing Club for the children of Rabie Ridge and Mayibuye, she did not anticipate the huge support that she would receive.

“I have always had a passion for boxing and up until recently when my daughter got a job, I couldn’t afford to fund my passion,” said Makgetha. She added that as soon as her daughter found employment, she could then afford to use some of the money she received from renting out her backrooms to fund the sport.

“I started the club in May 2015 by buying gloves and skipping ropes. It has grown tremendously since then. Young children have joined in and even older unemployed ones have started to see the value in the sport.”

Makgetha said the club was keeping youth, who would otherwise be involved in unhealthy habits such as abusing drugs, off the streets.

On 9 July the club hosted their first tournament which Makgetha said was successful. “I would like to thank the Rabie Ridge and Mayibuye ward committees for their assistance with the hall. We normally practise in a container that is given to us by the Mayibuye committee, so having real matches against opponents from other townships in a real hall was a special moment for us.”

She added that the Johannesburg Boxing Organisation played an important part in bringing the tournament to life. “They brought all the necessary equipment such as the ring.”

Jeffrey Ngwenya, president of the organisation said,”We are a government-funded organisation and we are always on the lookout for women to participate in the sport,” said Ngwenya.

As one of the judges, Ngwenya said he noticed that the boxing clubs that participated had a lot of raw talent. “Many of them will definitely turn professional in the coming years.”

Makgetha said she would like sponsorship towards building their own training centre and buying equipment.