EASTERN Cape boxing is reeling from the death of one of the province's most mesmerising boxers, Linda Nondzaba, at the weekend.
He died, aged 51, after a long illness at his Motherwell Extension home in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Nondzaba, who went by the "Black Mamba" moniker, was one of the most colourful characters in Eastern Cape boxing.
Trained by the late legendary trainer Patrick "Bro Khola" Fulela at Fight For Life Boxing Club, Nondzaba rose to prominence as the sparring partner of then SA junior-welterweight champion Phumzile Madikane.
During that time Nondzaba was content to remain as the Cape champion as he and Madikane could not fight as they were stablemates.
However, Nondzaba grew frustrated with not fighting for the SA crown and when Madikane left to settle in Cape Town, he pursued the national title in the welterweight division.
He finally realised his dream when he dethroned Frederick "Gorilla" Siswana via a fifth-round knockout in Johannesburg in 1990.
This was a huge achievement for a boxer who was seen as not talented enough to win an SA crown.
He had an overall record of 32 fights, 23 wins, six losses and three draws.
He was recently profiled on SABC-TV programme Morning Live as one of the champions who put Port Elizabeth on the boxing map.
He will be buried at his home in Alice on October 18. - Mesuli Zifo
