Thubalethu Boxing Club receives major support enroute to LA2028 Olympic Games
Thubalethu Boxing Club has been training boxers from SA and abroad in the Eastern Cape township of Kwa Nobuhle since 1988. With virtually no financial support, Club President, Head Coach (and SA's highest ranked Boxing Referee) Mazizi Vumazonke has been developing athletes for over 20 years from this humble gym, producing SA and All-Africa Champions across various weight-classes. Mazizi has a dream, and a plan, to take a team of boxers to represent South Africa and fight for gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, but this dream seemed like a fantasy with such large financial hurdles to clear and no real backing from Govt or private sector.
This changed in April 2026 when a partnership was formed between Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, The Eco-Venturist, UK based Ranmore Fund Management Ltd and their local philanthropic arm Helpmore SA who all joined forces and resources to make Mazizi's dream a reality.
I don't have words to describe how I feel. This has been such a long journey, and to finally get support, we can't believe it!Mazizi Vumazonke, Club President & Head Coach
Jamie Nye, CEO of Helpmore SA, said, "We are so delighted to be able to get behind Mazizi and his team. The fact he has been doing this work for over 20 years without ever receiving a salary is incredible, it's people like him who are quietly driving our country forward and he deserves every bit of support."
Within two months the gym has seen a complete renovation, upgrading all facilities to a modern, professional level. Beautiful custom boxing kit has been designed for the entire team of 60 athletes, and the coaching staff now for the first time are receiving a regular salary for their tireless dedication to uplifting local athletes and pushing SA sport into greater spheres.
"On visiting Thubalethu in March this year our eyes were really opened up, the coach is producing future legends, all out of a small totally under resourced facility in the heart of the township. He crams up to 100 aspiring boxers into the club every afternoon and they all just get on with it. Remarkable," says Paul Gardiner, CEO of The Eco Venturist.
To commemorate this example of private sector partnership to push local sports and community development, a re-opening ceremony will be held for Thubalethu at the gym on Friday 12 June at 2pm. Community leaders and stakeholders will join the athletes and sponsors in celebrating the start of this new phase in Thubalethu's amazing journey. Next stop LA2028!
Interested parties are invited to join the festivities. To attend, please RSVP to jamie@helpmorecharity.com.
