Nonina takes battle out of boxing ring
Women encouraged to attend the seminar
WBF bantamweight champion Bukiwe Nonina, official Pumeza Zinakile, promoter Shereen Hunter and boxing manager Coleen McAusland have called on other women from all walks of life to an assembly in Johannesburg where they will talk about challenges facing women.
Nonina is the first female boxer in South Africa not only to claim the ownership of Boxing SA’s (BSA) championship belt but also to win the most sought-after boxer of the year award in 2016 and last year.
Zinakile was voted BSA female official of the year in January where Hunter won the most promising female promoter of the year award.
They said female promoter Joyce Kungwane and prospect Smangele Hadebe will also attend the assembly, to be held at Kweze Bed and Breakfast in Bramley View, and the invite is open to all women even outside boxing.
Their meeting, to commence at 1pm, coincides with Women’s Month celebrations. It is the brainchild of Nonina who retained her belt with a points decision against Ellen Simwaka on Saturday in Soweto, where Kungwane staged her tournament.
Nonina, based in Giyani under unheralded male trainer Immanuel Mutavhatsindi, said women were undermined and not respected like their male counterparts.
“I felt we need to talk about challenges. Some women suffer because of dating other women. I am a proud lesbian who is also engaged. Most people judge me for that yet my parents accept me the way I am,” Nonina said.
Zinakile said: “Lately it is women who are abusing other women, so this seminar is appropriate that we talk to each other. We cannot expect men to protect and respect us when we, as women, do not protect each other.
McAusland said: “Women are so jealous of each other and we need to talk about that. Once they realise that they all got different Godgiven gifts, bring them together – the better for our country.”