‘Zulu Girl’ Mwelase fought her last fight

WHILE the South Africa and its sporting fraternity was reeling from news of the deaths of athlete Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, and Bafana captain, Senzo Meyiwa, it emerged that another sports person had died.

On Tuesday it was announced that female boxer Phindile Mwelase died after being in a coma for more than two weeks.

Mwelase, who reportedly turned 31 while in hospital last week, was knocked out by Liz Butler in a fight on October 10 in Pretoria.

Mwelase, who had failed to win any of her four previous bouts, had been competitive until she was caught by a single right hand, which knocked her to her knees. She then toppled forward, unconscious.

The boxer was initially taken to Kalafong Hospital, but was transferred to Steve Biko Hospital where she underwent surgery to stem bleeding on the brain nearly 48 hours after collapsing. Melase was taken off life support and moved out of ICU last week, but she reportedly never regained consciousness.

Better known in boxing circles as the Zulu Girl, she fought five professional fights, losing three and drawing the other. The match against Butler was called off.

She is the first female fighter in South Africa to die as a result of blows sustained in the ring. Her opponent Butler is said to be devastated and has indicated she would not be returning to the ring.

Mwelase is due to be buried in her hometown of Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, this weekend.