The Rose of Soweto, Who Overcame Apartheid, South African World Champion Dingaan Thobela, Dies at 57

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Soweto, South Africa (May 3rd, 2024)–    The Rose of Soweto, Dingaan Thobela, of Soweto, South Africa, who overcame the South African era of apartheid to win world titles at lightweight and super middleweight during his 20 year career between 1986 and 2006, has died at age 57, on April 29, 2024. Thobela was found in his apartment in Johannesburg, South Africa, according to Sowetan newspapers.

Thobela went 40-14-2 with 26 knockouts during his 20 year pro career. His last seven comeback attempts at advanced age were unsuccessful. During his career, Thobela held the WBO Lightweight title, the IBO World Welterweight title, the South African Super Middleweight title, and the World Boxing Council Super Middleweight title. He fought for the South African Light heavyweight title in his final bout, though he did not make weight.

Minister of Sports Zizi Kodwa, who announced Thobela’s passing, stated “As we celebrate 30 years of South African Democracy, we mourn the loss of an athlete who did so much to elevate (the cause of) South African sports through his success in boxing (on the world stage during the era of apartheid). We also celebrate a champion boxer who inspired the nation and future boxers and champions from Soweto, Mdantsane, Thohoyandou and other parts of the country.”

Thobela was one of several world class South African black fighters to emerge during the last years of South African apartheid before it was officially dismantled and racial equality granted to all in the nation. Before the reemergence of Nelson Mandela form imprisoned obscurity when apartheid finally fell and blacks got equal rights, boxing was one of the few South African sports which allowed Black athletes to compete on the international stage and earn world titles and worldwide recognition. Thobela’s unexpected passing, ironically, came days after South Africa marked the thirtieth anniversary of the end of the apartheid era of racial segregation, which was officially dismantled in 1994, the year the late Mandela became South African President.

Share
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].