Nearly every day, a group of children can be spotted in Masiphumelele stretching, running laps, learning jabs, ducking, and punching skills, and performing other activities. They are training to become boxers, but there is no boxing gym in this southern Cape Town suburb.
At the Sosebenza youth center, coach Athi Msindeli teaches children how to stretch and become physically strong.
The group holds workouts Monday through Thursday. If available, they practice on weekends in the Southpaw boxing studio in Sun Valley, approximately 4 kilometers from Masiphumelele.
The club is led by Athi Msindeli and his father, Ntsikelelo “Witness” Moyi. Moyi states that the club has five coaches, including his two sons, who are all family members.
Moyi stated that he has always enjoyed boxing, but growing up in Nqamakwe, Eastern Cape, the sport was inaccessible to him. Even though he has lived in Masiphumelele for nearly two decades, there are still no boxing clubs in the area.
Moyi’s boys both box. According to him, this motivated him to establish the club in October 2022.
13-year-old Hlulumi Molowana joined the group to get in shape, and he plans to fight in the future. He states, “I envision myself becoming a champion.”
Moyi claims that there are few activities for youngsters in Masiphumelele after school. According to him, boxing instills “discipline” and teaches youngsters to respect themselves, their bodies, and others.
When GroundUp visited the club, eight-year-old Asiphile Mgqutyana was one of more than a dozen children present. The ages of the club’s children range from seven to fifteen.
There are approximately 20 children in the group, and membership is free. Moyi is using his own punching bag and two sets of gloves that are too large for the children.
Moyi hopes to convert an empty structure at the youth center into a gym, but they are still seeking for the necessary funding.
Moyi claims that the gym requires punching bags, speed balls, skipping ropes, bandages, protective headgear, gum guards, fighting kits, and personnel to assist in its construction. “I am destitute,” he declares.
Athi Msindeli assists 13-year-old Bafana Manyathi with his gloves. The Masi-Cape Eagles Boxing Club possesses two pairs of gloves for adults. They are too large for the youngsters.
Athi Msindeli asserts that children no longer have access to recreational activities in Masiphumelele. The soccer field has been covered and converted into apartments. He states, “I see them [children] drinking,” and that such activities might keep them occupied and tired.
Msindeli is more than just a boxing coach at the club. He assists students with their homework and motivates them to achieve excellence. He thinks that boxing is exciting because, despite its inherent danger, one must “remain calm and prudent.”
Moyi believes that Masiphumelele will one day produce the next Mike Tyson.
I desire to see champions.
»Boxer from a small town wants to train “the next Tyson”«
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