Molekwa, Molefe recognised for their dedication
Gauteng honours boxing veterans at a lavish dinner gig
Much as we need money to meet the needs of the flesh, we also need care and love from people to meet the inward want, which is our subconscious self. Conversely, giving is always misconstrued as something to do with money.
This is where we most often do not get it right.
Veteran boxing promoter Obed Molekwa demonstrated this during his emotional speech on being honoured by the Gauteng Boxing Promoters Association (GBPA) in front of an array of old-time boxing greats at Uncle Toms Hall in Orlando West, Soweto, where GPBA hosted a dinner for the province’s legends on Saturday.
Molekwa is a former trainer who ended up being a promoter under the banner of Peoples Boxing Promotions.
“I have been in boxing for over 40 years but I have never been honoured. I want to thank TK (Tshele Kometsi) and colleagues for recognising my contribution, thank you,” said Molekwa.
“I dedicated my life to the sport at every level and that includes changing the ugly past to the brighter today.
“We did this for love; we were and are still passionate about boxing. I am happy today that finally my devotion is being recognised.”
. Molekwa and former trainer, matchmaker and promoter Pat Molefe were presented with the association’s blazers.
Kometsi, a promoter and the chairman of the GPPBA, explained that they would have loved to invite as many legends as they could but had to trim the list due to Covid protocols.
Among yesteryear’s stars in attendance were Hezekiel Mtshali, Pierre Coetzer, Morris Mohloai, Harold Volbrecht, Johannes Sithebe, Noman Hlabane, Peter Ngatane, Jeffrey Mankune, Leo Simelane, Jerry Mbitse, Giovanni Pretorius and Jan Bergman.
Boxing SA was represented by chairman Luthando Jack and Gauteng provincial manager Jaap van Niewenhuizen, while matchmakers Abbey Mnisi and Luyada Kana were also in attendance.
The legends were in cloud nine after being informed they would each receive calls for a full-on health examination valued at R11,000 per person – this was how GPBA showed its appreciation of what these legends did for boxing.