Please put your money where your mouth is, Madam
I LIKE Pemmy Majodina. I truly do.
Her passion for sport specifically boxing is unrivalled.
This is demonstrated by her ever presence in boxing tournaments be they big or small. And one can see that the provincial MEC of sport does not go there as a dignitary but to enjoy the occasion as he hardly brings her personal assistants like other government ministers do.
And when she keeps making promises that she would love to see local boxers fighting at home I believe her wholeheartedly.
This includes undertakings she has made to support the country’s lone major world title-holder Zolani Tete to fight in front of his supporters.
But what Majodina wants and what she can do are two different things.
The latest debacle involving her department’s failure to support Tete in his quest to defend his WBO bantamweight title at home is the reference.
Having submitted a proposal through his Last Born Promotions to the department’s sports tourism tender, Tete was denied funding although some other sports entities received it.
And Majodina insists that had nothing to do with her as by law she cannot be seen meddling with administrative processes. That is where I beg to differ. Yes as a political appointee she cannot give orders about how the funding should be handled as there are guidelines to be followed.
But then she should stop making bold promises in public that Tete would be supported if she knows that her hands are tied.
It is a shame that the lone legitimate world champion cannot only be supported by his national government but even by his province to fight at home.
Boxing is thriving in countries such as Mexico – which is arguably the best world boxing champion producing country in the world – due to government funding.
Tete is held in high esteem in England where he has been fighting under promoter Frank Warren.
He has been a great ambassador for the country and the province could use the opportunity to market itself through him.
And when Tete returned with his WBO crown and embarked on a marketing drive by attending other sporting events, Majodina was commendably right behind him.
Lets us be real here. How many sporting codes are able to produce a world champion in this country besides rugby and athletics?
But boxing has been consistently producing world champions and having Tete right from our shores should make the government as well as private sector understand the magnitude of his accomplishment.
Which is why as a head of the department and an avid boxing fanatic, Majodina should have made sure that the well-mannered boxer is given all the support.
After all that would have been a perfect opportunity to boost boxing development, which serves as a meal ticket for most underprivileged homes.
Come on DJ Pemmza, you can do better than hiding behind the red tape.
After all you are the boss of the department.