Boxer Smangele Hadebe fights to change lives
“Growing up I was sexually molested for over two years. It was something I kept even for my mother for years because it is was someone who is a family member.”
All her life Smangele Hadebe (27) has always been a sports fanatic. Before boxing, she was a long-distance runner but unfortunately, that did not end well for her.
“Within a month of being a cross-country runner, I injured my leg. While I was focusing on my recovery I came across a newspaper of people boxing and that is when I was intrigued,” said Hadebe.
It was after she matriculated and was not accepted to varsity when she decided to venture into sports to keep her away from the streets.
“Since then I never looked back. I started learning about famous boxers and their titles on also what it meant to them. It became more interesting was and I wanted to box. Even before boxing, I wanted to try other sports like karate, chess, tennis but it was not for me. When I started boxing that is when everything I am today started,” said Hadebe.
Female fighter advocates for women in boxing
She said with her first fight she was ready to face an opponent physically but mentally she was not ready because she thought she would lose.
“I am afraid of losing but I had to deal with it and be prepared if I ever lose. I have lost before and that was a learning curve for me. I needed to look at my mistakes also on what I needed to improve,” she said.
Fighting for women and children
Smangele Hadebe from Walkerville believes that every person has a story to tell. In her previous interview with the CHRONICLE, she said she is advocating for women in boxing.
“Growing up I was sexually molested for over two years. It was something I kept even for my mother for years because it was someone who is a family member. It is something that I kept to myself and after I started boxing, I felt better inside. What was left for me was just to say it and be free from it,” Hadebe said.
She told the CHRONICLE that at first, it was not easy for her to speak about it until she was given a platform to speak to a group of women who are in boxing and had their own experience.
“After I shared my story people started breaking down and sharing of what has happened in their past. They did not know how to speak about it until I finally open up.
“I am glad I shared my story because if I didn’t, some of them would still be not talking about their pain. We all shared our experience and healed,” she said.
Dedicates her fights
Hadebe said she forgave the situation and the person who sexually molested her and moved on with her life. She believes God always has away and she is proud to become the person she is today.
Female fighter advocates for women in boxing
“I dedicate my fights to women and children who were abused and could not speak for themselves. My fights are about telling them that they can fight what they went through and also know that they are not alone.”
She said one day she will have an NPO where she will be travelling around and visiting women and children who have been abused.
Preparing for a fight
After kick-starting her professional fighting career in 2016, she was awarded the Female Prospect of the Year Award by Boxing South Africa (BSA) for two years in a row, in 2017 and 2018. She is going for an SA title and she is pretty excited hoping to come back home with the belt.
“Gym is quite hectic at the moment but I have to be prepared. It is draining, stressful knowing that you are about to fight. It is just important to focus on the rounds I am about to fight and also make sure my weight is intact.”
“I am hoping for positive results and coming back home with the title. As much as I know my opponent because we fought before, I am hoping to bring more into the up-and-coming fight.”
Family support
Her family did not believe that she was a boxer, especially her mother who always jokingly said she was lazy.
“I wanted to prove her wrong and show her the ability I have when it comes to boxing. After my first win, she started to take me seriously. She then starter to see me on the television and she was super proud,” she said.
One of her three siblings started following in her footsteps to join her in her journey in boxing.
