Two young girls were part of an exciting boxing tournament that pulled punches
against drugs and alcohol abuse at Noordgesig community centre, in Soweto. The
LDAC in partnership with the Noordgesig Evangelistic life skills development centre
and Soweto Young Boxing Association are behind the great initiative against drugs,
alcohol abuse and skills development. Thirteen judges were present at the
tournament that included Teboho Ledwa, a former South African boxing Champion.
The life skills development center was filled with local supporters and star attraction
boxers from Noordgesig, Central Western Jabavu, White City, and Dobsenville. The
tournament opened with the under 15s challenging facing each other. Anele Duduze
from Tshepisong who weighed just 11 kg, romped to a first round victory against
Tankiso Monyobo from Soweto. The bouts were three rounds and the boxer fought
with passion and showed discipline for the beloved sport way beyond their age
throughout the tournament. The LDAC and skills center host their social and sports
events without any financial support from the corporate world. They rely on locals
who folk out their hard earned cash to keep this worthwhile initiative going. Coach
Raymend Mshifane, is one of the many 12 coaches involved in the tournament. He
trains young people to take up boxing to keep them from social ills such as crime,
nyaope and abuse of alcohol. Elders in the community like Noma Naude, is a keen
and active supporter of the campaign.
She sold refreshments and food during the
tournament. “I have been running a kitchen soup for twelve to fifteen years and I
cook for three hundred to three hundred to fifty people every Thursday at my house.
I receive support from church collections and I also cook for the people at my
church”, said Naude.
