Dingaan Thobela during a Golden Gloves press conference at SuperSport Studios in Johannesburg on 25 August 2016. (Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
- Legendary South African boxer Dingaan Thobela has died aged 57.
- Thobela was a three-time world champion in two different weight divisions.
- South African sports pundits and commentators have paid tribute to the former boxer.
- For more sports news, visit our home page.
Tributes have poured in from the South African sports community after the death of legendary boxer Dingaan Thobela.
Thobela, known to his fans as the ‘Rose of Soweto’, died aged 57 on Monday. A Boxing SA representative confirmed his death to News24 on Monday evening.
Pundits and sports personalities paid tribute to Thobela, with social media platform X abuzz upon hearing the news.
South African professional boxer Kevin Lerena thanked Thobela for being an “inspiration and motivation” on his own career.
“Rest in peace to South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela. Your talent and determination in the ring will never be forgotten. You always supported me and believed in my abilities, pushing me to reach my fullest potential. Thank you for your inspiration and motivation, Champ,” Lerena wrote.
Rest in peace to South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela ?? Your talent and determination in the ring will never be forgotten. You always supported me and believed in my abilities, pushing me to reach my fullest potential.Thank you for your inspiration and motivation, Champ??? pic.twitter.com/G4l2Dp97fR
— Kevin Lerena (@Kevlerenaboxing) April 30, 2024
Clinton van der Berg, a representative for SuperSport and boxing guru, said Thobela ranked among South Africa’s “all-time best” boxers.
The great Dingaan Thobela gone far too soon. Aged 57, he ranks among SA’s all-time best. Winning a world championship at lightweight, then moving through 5 divisions to win one at super middleweight, just staggering. His battle with the scales legendary, but a supreme human. RIP.
— Clinton van der Berg (@ClintonV) April 30, 2024
Renowned cricket coach Dave Nosworthy, an avid boxing fan, described Thobela as “a tactician of note with a real heart”.
RIP ????? #DingaanThobela ??So very sad to hear that this #legend has passed away. Grew up watching “The Rose ?? Of Soweto” in each and every one of his televised ?? fights… A tactician of note with real heart!!Rest Well ?????? ?? pic.twitter.com/JNvMxKzuo2
— Dave Nosworthy (@DONCRICKET) April 29, 2024
Several other pundits and organisations also shared tributes to Thobela:
When the “Rose of Soweto” Dingaan Thobela was in full bloom and brought honour to the country by winning the WBA crown. So gutted to he passed on yesterday following an undisclosed illness. May his family and friends be comforted and may his soul rest is eternal ??? ?? pic.twitter.com/ujRjxyRoL7
— Thomas Kwenaite (@TKwenaite) April 30, 2024
#RIPDingaanThobela??The most naturally talented boxer ever to come out of SA??Growing up in Chiawelo under the watchful eye of his grandma, he overcame adversity to become one of the greatest boxers to lace up a pair of gloves?Xoli Lebo M Zungu Nasty C Nawhoo Divorce Moshe pic.twitter.com/4dsqXhsKeh
— YaseBlock B ???? (@ThisIsColbert) April 30, 2024
Thobela was found dead at his flat in Johannesburg on Monday after suffering ill health, a family member told AFP.
“When mobile phone calls to him went unanswered, we came to his flat, gained entry and discovered he had died,” said a spokesperson, who requested anonymity.
Thobela fought professionally for 16 years from 1990 and bagged three world titles in two weight divisions.
He won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title in 1990, the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight crown in 1993 and the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-middleweight title in 2000.