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Dingaan Thobela, the legendary South African boxer, has sadly passed away at the age of 57 in Johannesburg. According to reports, they found him dead in his home after a bout of illness. In the wake of his sudden demise, the world has chimed in with its heartfelt messages.
As per reports, his friends grew concerned after he failed to receive their calls for several days. When they landed in his house in Mayfair, Johannesburg. They had to force open the door to only find him breathless. His close friend said to the media, “It was not like him to not answer his mobile phone and his family worried about him accompanied police to his home and found he had passed on”.
Lovemore Ndou, another South African fighter, was one of the earliest to mourn Thobela’s death. On his X, he posted a picture of the late fighter holding his book. Ndou also wrote, “I’m totally devastated, shattered and lost for words to hear about the passing of a life hero and friend, Dingaan Thobela. Rest in eternal peace my friend. My deepest condolences to the family.”
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I’m totally devastated, shattered and lost for words to hear about the passing of a life hero and friend, Dingaan Thobela. Rest in eternal peace my friend. My deepest condolences to the family. pic.twitter.com/nJnoYq2CkU
— Lovemore Ndou (@LovemoreNdou) April 30, 2024
Last Friday, Thobela was supposed to attend Boxing South Africa’s Symposium as a star guest. However, his poor health deterred him from doing so. Thobela was popularly called, “Rose of Soweto”. His death comes days after the country marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the apartheid system. The country’s sports minister in a statement noted, “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.”
The statement further read, “We also celebrate a champion boxer who inspired the nation, future boxers and champions from Soweto, Mdantsane, Thohoyandou and other parts of the country.”
Thobela was one of the first international black fighters to rise during the apartheid. He won the WBO lightweight title in 1990 and also the WBA lightweight title in 1993. His golden arc in boxing came after he moved up to super-middleweight and beat Britain’s Glenn Catley for the WBC belt with a 12th-round stoppage in 2000. In 2006, he retired with a record of 40 wins, 14 losses and two draws. The loss of such a legend has invited multiple other names in South African sports to pay their homage.
Rest in peace messages flood in for South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela
Kevin Lerena, the South African heavyweight who also hails from Johannesburg, remembered Thobela for the support he showed in the fighter’s career. On X, he posted an image of himself with the late fighter.
Rest in peace to South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela 🥊 Your talent and determination in the ring will never be forgotten. You always supported me and believed in my abilities, pushing me to reach my fullest potential.Thank you for your inspiration and motivation, Champ🕊️ pic.twitter.com/G4l2Dp97fR
— Kevin Lerena (@Kevlerenaboxing) April 30, 2024
South African sports journalist, Thomas Kwenaite also brought his homage to the legendary fighter. He shared an image of himself with the fighter of X that was taken right after the latter had won the WBA crown in a historic matchup.
When the “Rose of Soweto” Dingaan Thobela was in full bloom and brought honour to the country by winning the WBA crown. So gutted to he passed on yesterday following an undisclosed illness. May his family and friends be comforted and may his soul rest is eternal ✌🏿 🥊 pic.twitter.com/ujRjxyRoL7
— Thomas Kwenaite (@TKwenaite) April 30, 2024
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Carol Tshabalala, the sports broadcaster, also revered as the ‘First Lady of South African’ sports expressed her shock at the untimely passing of Thobela. She underscored his efforts in bringing South African talent to the global ring.
Still in shock at the passing of an eternal great.The Rose of Soweto conquered the boxing world,set many milestones &laid the path for a generation of young boxers.Thank you for sharing your light with us 💫Deepest condolences to family,friends 🙏🏾
Rest in peace Dingaan Thobela 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/4dfIKTcznX— Carol Tshabalala (@SimplyCarol8) April 30, 2024
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In his passing Dingaan Thobela leaves being a mark that can never be matched by anyone. A legend that he was, he will always be remembered for his contribution to the South African boxing culture. What are your thoughts about the legendary boxer’s career? Let us know in the comments section below.