Beyond the facade of beautiful Cape Town, are countless communities eking out existence and meagre wages to survive. In the midst of one of these settlements, Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, is a boxing club run by an inspiring coach, trying to instil hope and positivity, despite the landscape in which they live. 'Sisonke' is a Xhosa / Zulu word meaning 'For all of us'.
Beyond the facade of beautiful Cape Town, are countless communities eking out existence and meagre wages to survive.
In the midst of one of these settlements, Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, is a boxing club run by an inspiring coach, trying to instil hope and positivity, despite the landscape in which they live.
'Sisonke' is a Xhosa / Zulu word meaning 'For all of us'.
MEET 'COACH'
Bongile Centane, or simply "Coach", as he is known throughout the township, is a petrol pump jockey by day at the local BP. A deeply traditional and spiritual man, Bongile lives in humble tin shack with his wife Zanele who is a 'Sangoma' (healer). Bongile works from 5am to 5pm every day, then trains kids and young adults at the boxing gym till 8pm five days a week.
His inspiration? "Nelson Mandela!" he says. "The big man was a boxer". "And these kids I train, are the leaders of tomorrow".
THE GHETTO GYM
In the densely populated township, space is at a premium.
The club relies solely on sporadic donations from of a few kind individuals.
Money raised in 2019 on Mandela Day was used to buy new gear, and lease and refurbish the adjacent room which has helped a lot.
On warm days when the gym is busy, the temperature rises above 40 degrees.
The room becomes a veritable hotbox.
YOUNG WARRIORS
Perhaps there is no greater authenticity than meeting an opponent in battle. In the four cornered ring there is nowhere to run or hide, just two people staring each other down, looking to exploit a chink in each others armour .
Even when someone quits under a barrage of blows, or goes down, there is always a sincere hug and an embrace. A sense of earned respect.
Once a month, the kids jump into a crammed mini-van and head off to competitions across the province. Whilst the warrior spirit is clearly visceral, so is the love between the club members palpable.
'LOKSHIN GOOD VIBES
When the weather is good, and the kids are restless, the coach may just call an impromptu street competition and party. Kind of sharing with the community, the progress of the kids. A road is blocked off, music speakers are carried outside, and a makeshift ring is quickly fashioned from a few ring posts and crates.
This particular Saturday in December was festive. The elders made Shisa Nyama (meat on the fire), the kids roasted marshmallows, and after the fun and games in the ring, the crowd drifted away and the kids played in the street. But the good vibes remained, as hard liquor, singing and dancing spilled into the warm summer night and everyone forgot their worries for a few moments.
BOYS TO MEN
As the kids progress and mature into young adults, more is asked of them as the stakes and power in the ring become fiercer and more competitive. Athletes either vie for a place in regional amateur teams to compete for national colours and the chance to compete in events like the All Africa Games, or maybe turn professional and enter the school of proper hard knocks!
Few stay the course as they get older, but to those whom boxing is in their blood, stepping through those ropes into the ring, is part of their identity, a source of pride and achievement, somewhere they belong.
Sometimes boxing can also resemble a dance. At the other times it has the ferocity of the Colosseum. When senior boxer Olwethu "Mayweather" found himself down on points with one round remaining, "Coach" did not mince his words. I dont know what was said, but Olwethu promptly went out and knocked his opponent out in the first minute of the last round.
COMPASSION
After a brusing weekend of competition fighting, boxer Michael Kabundi from Namibia, gets some 'hot ice' nurturing from "Coach".
BELONGING
In a tough neighborhood, where crime, gangsterism, and drugs are rife, the brotherhood of boxing is a force for good. Belonging to the Sisonke Boxing Club provides friendship and identity that the youth are proud of. And it helps knowing how to look after yourself.
If rich residents of the valley, invested as much in social projects as they did in security, then perhaps there would be no crime?
GIRL POWER
Sisonke. Everyone is welcome! A big part of the clubs growth in coming years is to focus more on young female boxers, and empower them with confidence and self defence skills whilst having fun. Whilst everyone is always welcome to training, the club aspires to a bi-weekly programme aimed specifically at young woman.
Sinako Butano (below) is a bubbly, smiling, and super talented 14yr old girl. But don't mess with her!
SHARING IS CARING
When I first met Bongile Centane a few years back, I was deeply inspired by the selflessness, and community commitment of this humble man.
Growing up in South Africa with privilege (relative to the majority of the population), and with an inherent appreciation for the art of boxing, I felt a calling to give back and help where i could. What initially started as shooting a video to help raise funds, has ended up opening my eyes to a beautiful community, maintaining their dignity in the face of poverty, racism, and a system geared against them.
I have ended up driving these guys to tournaments, buying them gear, helping repair the club, running on the mountains with the kids to keep fit, and getting to know each individual as a unique character.
Along the way I continue to document the story of boxers that consider the Sisonke Boxing Club, their family and home.
As much as I have given, I have received more. For that I am very grateful.
HANDS OF STONE, HEARTS OF GOLD
Below is the short video I shot when i first met Bongi, detailing this awesome boxing club and coach, doing so much in the community of Hout Bay.
What the club needs more than anything is financial support to keep the gym going, pay for competitions and kit, cover expensive transport costs, and help the young boxers with the nutrition to make them stronger and grow into healthy adults. The club is a registered non-profit entity, and any donation made is fully accounted for and put to very good use.
If you want to make a donation you can either do an EFT to the Sisonke Boxing Club, First National Bank, Hout Bay, Account 62716117181 , Code 250655, SWIFT CODE FIRNZAJJ
Or Follow the link for a safe Back-a-Buddy credit card link
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/lets-help-the-sisonke-youth-boxing-club-ba
