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Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
SILENTLY, Monica Mkandla has been building a name across Limpopo, but sadly, very few people have been noticed on the other side.
Very few noticed her presence, as she sat by the ringside, during the Grand Finale 4 boxing tournament that was put up by the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy in Avondale, Harare, 10 days ago.
Yet Mkandla has carved a name in Johannesburg, South Africa, where her boxing career has taken off remarkably.
She is undefeated in six fights and she is already an international champion.
The 24-year-old pugilist who was born and raised in Gwanda, was crowned the African Boxing Union SADC junior featherweight champion after beating Egine Kayange of Tanzania via a fourth-round TKO at the Klipriviersberg Recreation Centre on June 22.
She is now eyeing a full ABU title.
Mkandla is also confident she can be a world champion in “the next one or two years.”
“Not only men can box, us females can box too, so ladies out there should try boxing.
“It’s a very good sport, I am an example that women can box,” Mkandla told Zimpapers Sports.
Mkandla has six professional fights but she is already being touted for greater heights.
She has been undefeated since turning pro in August 2022, after securing victory against Sasha Mlambo of Malawi at Phil Jen Country Lodges in Chivhu.
The Bible says, “the only place a prophet isn’t honoured is in his hometown”, and this could apply to Mkandla, who despite being one of the few Zimbabwean female boxers raising the country’s flag, is still an unheralded pugilist in the country.
Yet in South Africa, she enjoys “so much love and support.”
They call her “Savage” because she is so vicious in the ring.
She has already accounted for Mlambo, Nomusa Ngema, Mitchell Mubaya, Sazisiwe Simon, Pamela Mutanga, and recently Kayange.
“So far, my career has been good. I have had six fights; I have won all my fights there.
“Recently I fought for the ABU SADC title, and I won it, which was quite remarkable.
“I won this belt for Zimbabwe and I will keep pushing so that I achieve more,” Mkandla said.
“I am feeling at home in South Africa, because of their support, they do support me a lot.
“I also received some support from Zimbabwe, that’s why I was in Harare to show people I am also a champion,” said Mkandla.
She is yet to defend her ABU SADC title at the end of August.
Online Reporter