With his first title defence this weekend, a Gqeberha mixed martial arts (MMA) champion received an unexpected message of encouragement from a fellow Zwide-born champion this past week.
Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi took to social media to wish the EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) bantamweight champ Sindile Manengela well as he finalises his preparation for his much anticipated bout in Johannesburg.
“Bra Sindile, I want to wish you all the best for your fight. From one Zwide man to another, I hope everything goes well, brother,” Kolisi said in the short video posted on the EFC Instagram page.
“I am very happy for you and proud of what you do. It’s always good to hear about other people who come from where we come from.
“There is great talent in Zwide and I am sure you are going to inspire a lot of people. We are all behind you and keeping you in our prayers.”
Manengela, 38, will be facing a tough opponent in undefeated Pretoria fighter Cameron Saaiman when he steps into the cage on Saturday night. He said messages like this were what drove him to succeed.
“The message came as a total surprise, especially coming from a legend like Siya Kolisi,” Manengela said.
“I’ve never met Siya before, but I know exactly where he comes from and I have nothing but respect for him and everything he has achieved.
“He knows all about the hard work and sacrifice it takes to become a champion and I take a lot of inspiration from his kind words.”
Manengela, who grew up between his parental home in Zwide and his uncle’s home in neighbouring Kwazakhele, started his sporting career at a young age, achieving many accolades as a judo athlete before making the transition to MMA and fighting professionally under the tutelage of head coach Chris Bright at the PE Submission Fighting Academy (Pesfa).
He has competed in various weight classes, but found a home in the bantamweight division (under 61kg) where he won the championship belt in November.
“When I brought that belt home it was not just for me, but for everyone in Zwide, Kwazakhele and all of Gqeberha. In fact, I represent the entire Eastern Cape.
“This province has produced so many legends — not only in sport, but in all spheres of society. And I plan on bringing that belt back home after Saturday.”
Pesfa boasts another EFC champion in Kwazakhele’s Luthando Biko, who tops the flyweight division.
Bright said the message of support from Kolisi validated Manengela’s champion status and put a spotlight on Gqeberha’s MMA talent.
“I think it’s great that Sindile is finally getting the recognition he deserves. We have two international MMA champions, but at this point provincial cricket and rugby players are probably getting more recognition and bigger salaries.
“So for our guys to get a nod from someone like Kolisi definitely goes a long way towards getting our guys some time in the spotlight.”
Manengela said final preparations for his fight were going well and he looked forward to his clash with Saaiman.
“He’s about 15 years younger than me and he has a bright future ahead of him. But it’s not his time just yet. I’m not giving up my belt,” Manengela said.
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