Former world boxing champion Dingaan Thobela dies

Dingaan ‘Rose of Soweto’ Thobela (57) passed away last night, following an illness.

According to media reports, Thobela’s childhood friend Eddie Mutungutungu said the former boxing world champion was found dead at his Mayfair, Joburg, flat after several attempts to contact him drew a blank.

“He was strangely unavailable on his mobile, and his family, accompanied by police, managed to gain access to his place of residence and found he had passed on.”

This morning, the minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, expressed heartfelt sadness at Thobela’s passing.

Thobela was a multiple world boxing champion, having won the World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight titles, and the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-middleweight title. The Rose of Soweto was also a recipient of the Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket Award, said Kodwa.

Thobela was a champion fighter who captured the hearts and soul of the nation. He progressed from a prolific amateur boxer to become a three-time world champion as a professional, he added.

“Thobela fought in some of the most memorable bouts, such as the fights against Tony Lopez for the WBA lightweight title and against Glenn Catley to win the WBC super-middleweight title. Through his success and popularity, Thobela was one of the world’s standout fighters in a golden period of South African boxing.

“As we celebrate 30 years of South African democracy, we mourn the loss of an athlete who did so much to elevate South African sport through his success in boxing. We also celebrate a champion boxer who inspired the nation, future boxers and champions from Soweto, Mdantsane, Thohoyandou, and other parts of the country.”

Watch Thobela’s interview on Seconds Out, published on YouTube three months ago:

South Africans took to the internet to pay tribute to the boxing legend:

Ntate Dingaan Thobela represents my dad in so many ways. I remember those late night fights we would watch as a family on our black and white and later the color film TV. Robala ka khotso Champ. #RIPDingaanThobela pic.twitter.com/w4JwaPaIKY

— Motherhen_sa (@NanagirlPhala) April 30, 2024

Good morning South Africa.

Saddened to hear about the passing of #TheRoseOfSoweto 🥊

With a heavy heart, condolences to the family and let the memories of Dingaan Thobela bring comfort.

May your soul rest in peace #RIPDingaanThobela the legend🤍 pic.twitter.com/z1AjVFlrTI

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 30, 2024

RIP Grootman.Dingaan Thobela pic.twitter.com/tulnCXAIrJ

— Mr G-ZAR to Azania (@SeanGoss26) April 30, 2024

Tributes Pour In for the Late Former Boxing Champion Dingaan Thobela —-> https://t.co/jAi6xHVNZI #YouthVillage pic.twitter.com/5ofXo2gARn

— Youth Village SA (@YouthVillageSA) April 30, 2024

I have had the privilege to talk to and interview Dingaan Thobela on many occasions over the last number of years.

We have lost a legend, a gentleman and one of SA’s greatest boxing champions.

The world is an emptier place without you champ!#RIPDingaanThobela pic.twitter.com/xXApB1gzKe

— PunchyKickyShow (@KickyShow) April 30, 2024

The PAC is deeply saddened by the passing of South African boxing legend, Dingaan Thobela.
We send our deepest condolences to the Thobela family, his friends and the boxing and sports fraternity at large. His, is a loss that will be deeply felt.

May his soul rest in eternal… pic.twitter.com/e7UnY6fPia

— Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) (@MyPAConline) April 30, 2024