WATCH | Farewell, Rose of Soweto - Dingaan Thobela given a hero's funeral

SPORT

Heartbroken, Dingaan Thobela’s parents said it was hard burying their child as they thought he would one day bury them.

Godfrey Thobela and Maina Mahlangu read their tribute during their son's funeral service today, before he was laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.

A member of the Thobela family, Ndivhuo Nemugumoni, said the boxer’s death left them with many unanswered questions.

“We really thought that one day we would be buried by you, but instead we are burying you. This is a very painful experience considering that your passing was so sudden.

“We are left with so many questions and unspoken words, though we know that it is all God’s plan. Who are we to question it? You were the Rose of Soweto but to us, you were an ambitious and humble being,” said Nemugumoni.

She said: 

She added: “As young as you were, we also learnt a lot from you. For instance, you were the one who introduced us and taught us about the funeral undertaking business.

“We had the pleasure of working with you at Rose Funerals. We called you our son, but you were loved and raised by so many people. You made us so proud. Rest in power, Thobela.”

The former three-time world boxing champion died at the age of 57 on 29 April. He was accorded a special provincial official funeral.

The first part of the funeral service started in the morning at the Dlamini Multipurpose Centre in Soweto, where boxers and boxing administrators, family, friends and government officials paid their last respects.

Thobela was buried in a white coffin, which had his white gloves and one of his belts on it. He is survived by his parents, nine siblings, 14 children and nine grandchildren.

He was the second child of Godfrey Thobela and Maina Mahlangu, and was raised by his paternal grandmother, Maria Ndlovu.

A BOXING LEGEND

Adored by the late former state president Nelson Mandela, Thobela was one of South Africa’s only two World Boxing Council (WBC) champions.

He turned professional in 1989 and won his first world title, World Boxing Organisation (WBO), in 1990.

Thobela was also a world champion in the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight in 1993, and WBC super-middleweight title in 2000.

The highlight of his career was in 2000 when he won the WBC super-middleweight title against Glenn Catley.

The WBC belt is rated a sought-after title because it is ranked among the five major recognised belts in the world of boxing.

Others are in the following divisions: WBA, International Boxing Federation, WBO and The Ring, awarded by the US boxing magazine of the same title.

READ: RIP ‘The Rose of Soweto’ | Dingaan Thobela was an SA boxing icon

Speaker after speaker, Thobela was described as a unifying symbol, rising above adverse circumstances during a time when the country was racially torn.

Thobela’s childhood friend, Eddie Mutungutungu, said he knew the champion boxer for 42 years, having grown up together in Chiawelo.

Mutungutungu said: 

Thobela’s long-time trainer Norman Hlabane, who travelled the world with the boxer, was too emotional to speak at his memorial service on Tuesday.

“At least today I am feeling better,” said Hlabane, adding that he spoke to the boxer two weeks ago and he seemed okay.

Hlabane said: 

Thobela started his educational journey at Hitekani Primary School.

READ: Dingaan ‘the rose' Thobela: Reliving some of the best moments of SA's pugilist

He attended Gazankulu Higher Primary School and completed his secondary education at Gazankulu High School.

He completed his tertiary education at Soweto Teaching College, but soon after completing his tertiary education, Thobela realised he was passionate about boxing and pursued this passion.

Out of his 56 fights, he won 40 and lost 14. Out of his 40 wins, 26 were won by knockouts.