The boxing fraternity in the Eastern Cape is mourning the passing of renowned promoter and businessman, Mzimasi Mnguni. Mnguni had been battling with stroke since 2014 and died at the age of 73.
He started his career during 1980s where he went on to produce a number of world champions such as Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu and Welcome Ncitha.
Mnguni is regarded as of one of the most successful boxing promoters in the country. Before joining boxing, he was a soccer player.
He was a mentor to many, and produced over 10 world boxing greats, from 1990. These were mainly IBF title holders.
One of his former trainees, Vuyani Bungu, has described Mnguni as a father figure.
“I remember making that history with him. Before the fight, he came into my room, and he was nervous and asked if I am going to beat Kennedy McKinney, and I made history to become the first boxer to win a world title in the democratic South Africa. So, Mzi has done a lot in my life. In my personal life, even to me, Mzi has done a lot even to other boxers who we were under his umbrella,” Bungu says.
Legendary Boxing Promoter & Trainer Mzimasi Mnguni has passed away. His brother Sihle Mnguni confirmed to #SABCNews that Mzi passed on at 06:20 this morning. Mnguni’s boxing stabile included Greats such as Vuyani Bungu, Hawk Makepula & many World Boxing Champions. pic.twitter.com/AqQCgqS34c
— Thabiso Sithole (@ThabisoSithole) February 13, 2021
The Eastern Cape provincial government has also acknowledged the role played by Mnguni in the development of boxing in the province, and the country.
Premier spokesperson, Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha, says they will write to the president to ask for his burial to be declared a state funeral.
“We will be writing to the President to request approval of the declaration of Mr Mnguni’s funeral service in honour of the contribution he made in the development of sport, in business where he used his money to sponsor the sport for the benefit of many young people from our province and their families,” says Sicwetsha.
The national office of the ANC has also paid tribute to the legend.
The governing party says it is deeply saddened by the legendary boxing manager and trainer’s passing.
“Mguni’s commitment to the boxing sports remains unparalleled. Bra Mzi, as he was affectionately known, managed and trained some of South Africa’s finest world boxing champions. Bra Mzi’s commitment to the boxing sports earned him two successive Lifetime Achievement Awards – one by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula in Durban in 2017‚ and another by Mbalula’s successor‚ Minister Thulas Nxesi‚ in Port Elizabeth in 2018. The large baobab tree has indeed fallen, but its roots will nourish the soil forever. May Bra Mzi’s family, friends and colleagues find solace in knowing that his passing is a loss to the entire nation,” the party’s Pule Mabe says in a statement.
The Mnguni family wasn’t available for comment, due to a burial of another family member.
