The sad news of the passing of world champion boxer Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela surfaced late last night, leaving many industry friends and fans saddened by his departure.
The 57-year-old three times world title holder who was named Bongani Mahlangu at birth and later changed by his grandmother to Dingaan when he moved to live with him, was reportedly found dead in his Mayfair, Johannesburg, home after battling with illness for some time.
The news of the boxing legend’s passing was confirmed by his childhood friend who spoke with local publication Sowetan stating:
“He was strangely unavailable on his mobile, and his family, accompanied by police, managed to gain access to his place of residence and found he had passed on.”
During his time as a boxer, Dingaan won three world titles in two weight divisions. In his possession he held the WBO lightweight title from 1990 to 1992, in 1993 he won the WBA title as well as the WBC super-middleweight in year 2000.
After hearing of the boxing legend’s passing, many people sent their condolences.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa was among those to send condolences to the Thobela and Mahlangu family, commenting:
Dingaan ‘The Rose of Soweto’ Thobela was a champion fighter who captured the hearts and soul of the nation. I am deeply saddened by his passing. My thoughts are with the Thobela family and the South African boxing fraternity. #RIPDingaanThobela@CyrilRamaphosa @SportArtsCultur pic.twitter.com/mqYyvChJSH
— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) April 30, 2024
Growing up an only child living with only my Grandmother, the Elders in my village would call me Dingaan Thobela because I constantly had to fight off bullies who knew I had no one else to defend me. Rest is peace my goat, you inspired my growth #RIPDingaanThobela pic.twitter.com/GPy5BMRMp0
— Mr Makgoba??? (@breezymak) April 30, 2024
Political parties also shared their sadness hearing of the boxer’s passing:
The PAC is deeply saddened by the passing of South African boxing legend, Dingaan Thobela.
We send our deepest condolences to the Thobela family, his friends and the boxing and sports fraternity at large. His, is a loss that will be deeply felt.May his soul rest in eternal… pic.twitter.com/e7UnY6fPia
— Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) (@MyPAConline) April 30, 2024
I went to bed so early I’m only now waking up to the news of Dingaan Thobela’s passing… RIP Rose of Soweto. 57 is a very young age, gone too soon!
— MORAL Authority (@lavidaNOTA) April 30, 2024
Also see: Renowned anti-apartheid activist Motsoko Pheko dies at 93
