Dingaan ‘The Rose of Soweto’ Thobela laid to rest
The 57-year-old legendary boxer was found deceased in his apartment on April 29 after battling an unconfirmed illness.
Family, friends, fellow boxers, and government officials said their final goodbyes to the three-time world champion boxer, Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela.
A respectful funeral service for Thobela was held at Dlamini Multipurpose Center, on Thursday, May 09.
Thobela was honored with a special provincial official state funeral, leaving behind a legacy that included his parents, nine siblings, 14 children, and nine grandchildren.
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This comes after the 57-year-old legendary boxer was found deceased in his apartment on April 29 after battling an unconfirmed illness.
The parents of the deceased, Godfrey Thobela and Maina Mahlangu wrote a letter that emphasizes the many unanswered questions they have regarding the death of their son.
To read the letter was family member Ndivhuo Nemugumoni, “We thought that one day we will be buried by you but instead we are burying. This is a very painful experience considering that your passing was so sudden.”
“We are left with so many questions and unspoken words, though we know that it is all God’s plan.
“Who are we to question it? You were the Rose of Soweto but to us, you were an ambitious and humble being.”
Nemugumoni added, “As young as you were, we also learned a lot from you. For instance, you were the one who introduced us and taught us about the funeral and undertaking business.
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“We had the pleasure of working with you at Rose Funerals. We called you our son, but you were loved and raised by so many people. You made us so proud. Rest in power, Thobela.”
At the funeral service, the Rose of Soweto was described as ambitious, talented, and humble by family and friends.
They all spoke about the huge role he played and the efforts he made as a boxer to bring forth a new and free South Africa.
Dingaan Thobela Junior gave tribute to his father on behalf of his siblings. He vowed that as a collective they would keep his name alive.
“I pray that during this time we find healing and strive to keep your name alive as the father that we all loved and looked up to.
“You were the Rose of Soweto but to us, you were our father, we will always love you and miss you,” he said.
Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela was laid to rest at the Heroes Acre at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg.
