Dingaan Thobela’s friend, Bongani Magasela discusses his last days before he passed away on Monday, 29 April after battling an illness.
The former boxing world champion known as “Rose of Soweto” died at 57 years in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
‘HE DID NOT DIE A PAUPER
Zimoja reports that boxing writer Bongani Magasela told Radio 2000 this week that his friend Dingaan Thobela did not die a pauper.
Magasela adds that he’s disappointed by the narrative that Thobela was a pauper. He says people are making assumptions because he was found in a flat.
“That’s one of his many flats. Dingaan was fine. He even had a farm. He sold his house in Sandton after his divorce.”
Magasela says he spoke to Thobela on Thursday, who said he had flu. His flu sounded bad. He told him to stay in bed. He called on Saturday and Sunday and his phone was off.
Sowetan reports that Thobela on Thursday told the publication he had a bad flu. The publication rubbishes reports that he died from a heart attack.
Thobela’s ex-wife, Sandra says she’s devastated by his passing. She adds that the biggest issue was that Dingaan did not tell his children where he stayed. She tells the publication that she previously asked him to tell his children where he stays.
DINGAAN THOBELA: HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH BASETSANA KUMALO
Basetsana Kumalo reflects on the abuse she says she suffered at the hands of Dingaan Thobela in her 2019 memoir, Bassie: My Journey of Hope.
The businesswoman tells Power 98.7 that her former boyfriend, Thobela beat her up and once pulled out a gun. He aimed the gun at her head and said “he would kill me” if she tried to leave him.
“I had to tell that part of my life. Gender-based violence is rife in the country. It was very important for me to own that part of my life and give hope that I walked away. The best thing is to seek help, speak to church leaders and speak to relatives.”
She also reveals that she was ashamed, when she was asked why she didn’t open a case against Thobela.
“I was a public figure. When I told my parents I knew for sure I had to leave. I knew what love was because my father loved me. If someone says they love you, but they beat you, it just doesn’t add up.”