Legendary boxer Dingaan Thobela’s ex-wife Sandra discusses his relationship with his two children.
Thobela lost his fight to an undisclosed illness on Monday, 29 April in his flat in Mayfair, Johannesburg. He was 57 years.
SANDRA: ‘HE DID NOT TELL HIS CHILDREN’
Dingaan Thobela’s ex-wife and mother of his children, Sandra tells Sowetan that his children didn’t know where he lived.
Sandra and Dingaan have two children, a daughter called Ntombi, who is attending university in Spain, and a son named Dingaan Junior.
Speaking to the publication this week, Sandra says the biggest issue was that Dingaan did not tell his children where he stayed. She told him that he must tell his children where he stays before he died.
Thobela’s ex-wife also adds that his children are not okay and she’s not okay. She will do her best to make sure that she brings his children back home.
She shares blood with Dingaan Thobela and she’s heart broken by his passing.
Sunday World reported in 2014 that Sandra claimed Dingaan fathered three children out of wedlock with a Johannesburg woman.
When she discovered this she was devastated because she never thought he would betray her like that.
MINISTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO DINGAAN THOBELA
The Citizen reports that Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa this week paid tribute to the world boxing champion, Dingaan Thobela.
“Thobela fought in some of the most memorable bouts, such as the fights against Tony Lopez for the WBA lightweight title and against Glenn Catley to win the WBC super-middleweight title. Through his success and popularity, Thobela was one of the world’s standout fighters in a golden period of South African boxing.”
“As we celebrate 30 years of South African democracy, we mourn the loss of an athlete who did so much to elevate South African sport through his success in boxing. We also celebrate a champion boxer who inspired the nation, future boxers and champions from Soweto, Mdantsane, Thohoyandou, and other parts of the country.”
The boxer’s friends defended him this week after speculations that Thobela, who was a businessman and once owned a funeral parlour died penniless.
Bongani Magasela tells Zimoja he’s disappointed by the narrative that Thobela was a pauper. He adds that people are making assumptions because he was found in a flat.
“That’s one of his many flats. Dingaan was fine. He even had a farm. He sold his house in Sandton after his divorce,” says Magasela.
TRIBUTES POURN IN FOR BOXER
@General_Sport7: “May his strong soul rest in internal peace. Spent couple of nights and mornings watching his fights live on TV.”
@no1commentator: “They say never meet your heroes to avoid disappointment, but I did and Dingaan Thobela was fabulous. He was a bright, funny and articulate boxing world champion. His legacy lives on. May he RIP.”
@TKwenaite: “When the “Rose of Soweto” Dingaan Thobela was in full bloom and brought honour to the country by winning the WBA crown. So gutted he passed on yesterday following an undisclosed illness. May his family and friends be comforted and may his soul rest be eternal.”
@mageba_sthembz: “It’s both sad and shocking to me that he was found dead and alone. I know this happens more often than not especially with celebrities. But it always deepens the pain.”