LIMPOPO – Musangwe is an indigenous Tshivenda boxing sport which started in the 1800’s when the herd boys would encourage the bulls to fight one another. The fighting of the bulls would then encourage the boys to start fighting.
The Chairperson of the Vhembe Traditional Entertainment Organisation, Patrick Ramarada said they had to postpone the tournament to avoid the spread of Covid-19. He said the organisation has had to cancel the tournament since the sport is a contact sport and they will wait for government to lead the way forward.
He added that boxing volunteers are randomly chosen from the two teams to fight until one of them is either knocked out, or surrenders.
According to Ramarada, there is more to Musangwe than meets the eye.”This a sport that teaches respect among men. Boys are prepared for their future roles here and we are also ensuring that the sport and our culture are not forgotten. Most of our fighters have the potential to make it in boxing and we encourage them to follow boxing as a career and not end up only as unpaid fighters.”
He said he is hopeful that they will soon produce a world-class boxer from the area, to follow in the footsteps of former champion, Philip Ndou.
