Disgraced ‘Leli’ stoned to death
Former SA featherweight champion Manelisi “Leli” Mbilase died under rather disgraceful circumstances this week.
This after he was assaulted by NU3 community members who pulled him out of the bushes where he had been hiding.
According to eyewitnesses, Mbilase was one of three assailants who allegedly robbed two women of about R2,000 cash.
The women yelled for help, sparking the community members to arm with stones, pangas and sticks and give chase.
While his cronies disappeared among the bushes, Mbilase was dragged out and assaulted, leaving him unconscious.
He later died at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital.
The death of the 40-year-old Mbilase shocked those who were not familiar with his background.
But those who followed him long after he had quit boxing were not so surprised.
A talented southpaw in his fighting days, Mbilase was among the products of former world champion Welcome Ncita.
He was in a group of talented fighters that included Nkosinathi Joyi, the late Ludumo Galada, Lunga Ntontela, Mhikiza Myekeni, Gabula Vabaza to mention but a few.
There was no denying the talent of the boxer so it was no surprise when top Johannesburg promoter Rodney Berman featured him in his tournament at Emperors Palace in 2006.
Together with Joyi he was one of the boxers Berman took under his wing in a deal with Mamali Promotions.
Berman matched Mbilase with Malcolm Klassen but the former easily succumbed to a fourth round stoppage defeat.
Like any other promoter Berman did not stick around with him after his loss.
But Mbilase soldiered on and managed to win the SA featherweight title albeit on controversial circumstances.
This when he was declared a winner over Duncan Village Thando Vukuza in Carltonville in 2008.
Televised live by SABC, the fight outcome received wild condemnation forcing BSA to order a rematch.
After a competitive clash whose outcome could have gone either way, Mbilase was adjudged a loser.
It was his post-fight television interview that grabbed the attention.
“What has happened here is like gangsterism in Mdantsane,” he said.
“Ndiphakwe inkunzi apha oku kwase Mdantsane (loosely translating I have been robbed of my belongings like it happens in Mdantsane).”
This was to prove to be Mbilase’s last bout as he transitioned into a career of gangsterism robbing people of their belongings.
I nearly became a victim of his robbing about a month ago.
While walking in Mdantsane highway in one cold afternoon, I felt a hand groping around the pockets of my jacket.
I quickly turned around to confront what I thought was a pick-pocket only to find that it was Mbilase wearing a hood.
“Sorry my bra, please forgive me I did not realise that it is you,” he wailed even before my confronting him.
Looking at furtive eyes I felt sorry for him because I could tell that he was craving a fix.
“Can you please give me R2 my bra to buy something to eat,” he begged.
But I knew that he wanted to buy a fix so I summarily dismissed him.
I knew there and then that it would be a matter of time before his actions caught up with him.
But what struck me the most about his condition was the career he had taken, not by choice by due to circumstances.
Mbilase was one of the boxers who had resorted to unholy activities after being chewed and spat out by the sport he loved.
There are so many like him in Mdantsane and sadly there are no programmes available to help former boxers.
Someone may be quick to beat up a Mbilase but spare a thought for him when he has never been taught anything else besides boxing.
This forces him to survive with the only way he knows. And that is so tragic.
Rest in peace Leli.
Mbilase was one of the former boxers who had resorted to unholy activities