Lethal Pangaman chops no more
Boxer joins revered celestial pugilists
Born: March 2 1948
Died: April 4 Funeral: Tomorrow at home, starting from 6am Burial: Makgogwane village in Mahikeng, North West The mighty yet overlooked oldtime boxing great Norman “Pangaman” Sekgapane will be laid to rest at Makgogwane village near Ramatlabama in Mahikeng tomorrow.
Sekgapane, 70, had recently been in and out of hospital. He died at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Sunday last week.
His family first took him to Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital in Jabulani, Soweto, but he was later transferred to Baragwanath .
Sekgapane was born in Tafelkop in the Koster district of North West. His family later relocated to Tladi in Soweto.
The fearless boxer was aptly named “Pangaman”. “Panga” is a large knife that is used to cut sugarcane and other plants. It is also a feared weapon. Sekgapane used his fists to cut down opponents.
Sekgapane is regarded as one of the best lightweight and junior welterweight boxers South Africa has ever had.
He fought top-name boxers such as Shole “Tiger Floor” Mokoena, Evans “Kid Jaguar” Gwiji, Anthony “Blue Jaguar” Morodi, Nkosana “Happy Boy” Mgxaji, Tsietsi Maretloane (all late), Ben “TNT” Lekalake, Gert Steyn and Gregory Clark.
Sekgapane lost in his bid to win the WBA title from Antonio Cervantes – the Columbian who stopped him in the ninth round at Independence Stadium in Mmabatho on August 26 1978.
Cervantes had been hailed as a living legend. He was involved in his 96th professional fight when he fought Sekgapane.
His points loss to Gregory Clark in Durban on March 2 1981 was Sekgapane’s swan song. The talented boxer then joined the North West Amateur Boxing Organisation where he served as a board member.
He also trained youngsters, and became a referee and judge. He was influential in the honing of the skills of now top-female referee and judge Sylvia Mokaila.
“Pangaman was the first person to welcome me when I joined boxing in the amateur ranks in 1997. We worked together in the North West Professional Boxing Board where I served as a secretary,” Mokaila said.
“I then joined the professional ranks. I am who I am today because of Sekgapane, Ken Ramaboa, Doctor Gcini Mkhonto and trainer/coach Peter Mathlare. They are all late, and I am left alone but still flying the flag of our province with pride.”
Sekgapane retired in 1981 with a record of 51 wins, 21 knockouts, 15 losses and two draws. In a short but sweet tribute, Boxing SA CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka said: “The Pangaman chops no more. Robala ka kgotso Pangaman.”
The World Boxing Council and its president, Mauricio Sulaiman Saldivar, expressed their deepest condolences to his family. “The entire WBC join Norman’s family and many friends in mourning, but also in recognising a memorable life.”
Sekgapane is survived by his mother Pauline, his wife Adelaide, three children and four grandchildren.