Policeman develops youths in villages in crime fighting effort
W/O Jeffrey Ngobeni is not just any ordinary policeman, he is also a former amateur boxer who uses his spare time to teach boxing skills to children in villages around Tzaneen.
LIMPOPO – Ngobeni has established boxing clubs in some of the most crime-ridden communities in the area, such as Muhlava Cross and Dan village, which recently made national headlines after violence erupted between two rival gangs, forcing the deployment of public order police and tactical response teams.
“My role in the community is not only to investigate and arrest people who have committed crimes, but also to ensure that the youth don’t grow up to become criminals themselves.
“Our villages don’t have recreational clubs and sport facilities to keep children entertained. This creates a situation where you see a lot of young people roaming the streets with nothing to do. The next thing they are smoking dagga and nyaope and committing serious crimes,” he said.
“I started the boxing club to help keep children off the streets and away from crime, drugs and sex. I am also giving them a hope in life.”
His passion for boxing developed at a young age when he used to take part in bare-knuckle fights at the cattle dip in his rural village. He became an amateur boxer while still at high school, competing in 11 fights, winning seven and losing four.
“I trained on my own and had no sponsorship, so I quit boxing and became a policeman, but my love for the sport never died.”
Today, Ngobeni is a trained coach and judge and has been teaching boxing skills in the area since 2000. Some of his young boxers have gone on to compete in provincial tournaments, winning gold, silver or bronze medals.
“The kids have a hunger for the sport. Boxing teaches them discipline and it also gives them an opportunity to do something in life, even if they don’t succeed at school,” he said.
His boxing club has received huge support from the Department of Health and Social Development in the province.
“Together we make a difference in local communities. Recently we received donations of sanitary pads, gloves, skipping ropes, headgear, stopwatches and training equipment.
“I invite businesspeople and other prominent people in the community to join me in developing their bodies and minds in a safe environment,” he said.
One of his young boxers, Ruti Mogana (16) said her favourite professional boxer is Laila Ali, the daughter of late boxing legend Muhammad Ali: “I love boxing because I am now able to defend myself. It also helps me to exercise and build my body”.
