Former Boxing World Champion Dingaan Thobela Found Dead

Former boxing world champion Dingaan “Rose of Soweto” Thobela has tragically passed away at his Johannesburg flat after battling illness. The beloved boxer, hailing from Chiawelo, Soweto, was discovered dead in his Mayfair flat on Monday evening.

Born Dingaan Bongane Thobela 57 years ago, Thobela had been in poor health. His childhood friend Eddie Mutungutungu confirmed that the former world champion was found dead after numerous failed attempts to reach him.

“He was strangely unavailable on his mobile, and his family, accompanied by the police, gained access to his residence and discovered that he had passed on,” Mutungutungu told Sowetan.

Thobela’s declining health had prevented him from attending Boxing SA’s symposium at the Arena Holdings offices in Parktown just last Friday. Throughout his career, Thobela held three world titles in two-weight divisions. Under the guidance of veteran trainer Norman Hl;abane, Thobela secured the WBO and WBA lightweight belts. In September 2000, he achieved his greatest triumph, winning the prestigious WBC super middleweight belt with a 12th-round stoppage victory over defending champion Glen Catley at Carnival City in Brakpan. Trainer Elias Tshabalala was in his corner.

Thobela was separated from his common-law wife, Sandra, with whom he had two children, Ntombi and Dingaan Thobela Junior. His victories extended beyond the boundaries of South Africa, garnering support across all racial lines and causing wild celebrations in townships.

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This unfortunate news follows the recent passing of Joseph Makaringe, the former SA welterweight champion, who also succumbed to a short illness just two weeks ago.