A recently-established non-profit organisation (NPO) is training its boxers to compete on regional level soon.
This is according to Duayne Smith, founder and president of the Stellenbosch Boxing Association (SBA) Giants NPO.
“Preparing for regionals has been intense but exciting,” said Patrice Kevin Mthembi, a boxer from the club who is preparing for the Cape Winelands Regional Championships in April.
“We’ve been working on movement and reaction time,” said Mthembi, who is also a second-year BCom (Financial Accounting) student at Stellenbosch University (SU). “[I want] to step into the ring knowing I’ve put in the work, and trust my preparation.”
The Stellenbosch Boxing Association (SBA) Giants non-profit organisation (NPO) has been dubbed the Giants of the Winelands, according to Duayne Smith, founder and president of the association. Left to right: Keegan Weylin Cremer, who is currently completing his MA in Psychology; Duayne Smith; Patrice Kevin Mthembi, a second-year BCom (Financial Accounting) student and Caio Luyanda Skei, a third-year BA (International Studies) student. PHOTO: Nadia Swart
“Stellenbosch has a rich history of producing […] national champions,” said Smith. “[In] the SBA group, there have been two national champions.”
The club has been active for a considerable period, but gained official NPO status in 2024, according to Smith.
In 2022, Willbur Jasson and Franco Rheeder were crowned the South African National Champions in the heavyweight and super heavyweight categories respectively, said Smith.
“We are looking to build a great foundation for us to have more champions in the coming years,” said Smith.
In training for the Cape Winelands Regional Championships, the boxers motivate each other to succeed. This is according to Patrice Kevin Mthembi, a boxer from the Stellenbosch Boxing Association Giants non-profit organisation. “One of my best memories so far has been the bond with my team,” said Mthembi. PHOTO: Nadia Swart
Empowering communities
The SBA Giants NPO was founded to make the sport more accessible and less costly, according to Smith.
“It is even more impactful because […] in South Africa, it is very unsafe to be a woman or child,” said Smith. “We would like to instil certain skills in these individuals so they can walk around with confidence.”
Keegan Weylin Cremer, an SU student completing his MA in Psychology, described SBA Giants NPO as having a powerful influence on his day-to-day life.
“It’s the only way I’ve been able to get through undergrad,” said Cremer.
The Stellenbosch Boxing Association Giants non-profit organisation teaches you the fundamentals of boxing, and focuses on overall fitness and well-being. This is according to Tahwidah Moosa, one of the boxers from the club. PHOTO: Nadia Swart
Making boxing accessible to all
Boxing’s biggest barrier to entry is cost, according to Smith.
“That’s why the sport isn’t growing,” said Smith. “We want to make it more accessible.”
The club sets themselves apart from the norm by lowering the cost barrier significantly, he said.
“[SBA Giants] asks for a quarter of the price [of other gyms] for the entire year,” said Cremer.
They do, however, still focus on the fundamentals of boxing, according to Tahwidah Moosa, a third-year BA (Humanities) student from SU.
“[The club] gives me the fitness a person needs,” said Moosa. “It’s a privilege to be a part of this boxing community.”