Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE south-eastern Lowveld is often described by its heat and endless sugar fields.
Hippo Valley and Triangle mills alone crush about five million tonnes of cane each year, producing more than 600 000t of raw sugar.
But this corner of Zimbabwe has been cultivating more than crops. It has been quietly producing some of the country’s finest athletes.
Footballers like former Warriors defender Harlington Shereni, ex-Dynamos centre-back Norman Togara, the Muteji twins Cain and Abel, and league winner Patrick “Mboma” Khumbula, all trace their roots here. And thanks to a deliberate sports development policy by Tongaat Hulett, the sugar estates’ parent company, the Lowveld also became a cradle for boxers.
World Boxing Federation Super Flyweight Africa champion Tinashe “Jones” Majoni emerged from this system.
Now, another name has been added to that roll of champions — Bongani Makorova.
On August 30 at Harare’s 7 Arts Theatre, the 27-year-old beat Malawi’s Musa Kananji to claim the World Boxing Federation Bantamweight Africa belt.
“It has been a long and busy week for me; I have been receiving hundreds of messages from fans and family members. I still cannot believe that I am now an international champion,” Makorova told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
His story begins in a compound in Hippo Valley, where his father worked as an irrigator.
At the age of 10, he met Calvin Johns, a neighbour who introduced him to boxing.
From dusty makeshift rings in Chiredzi to a string of amateur fights, he slowly built his craft before turning professional in 2019.
He first boxed under the Charles Manyuchi Academy, before moving to the Otto Boxing Stable, where he now trains.
“Because of the support boxers got from the company, we had monthly amateur tournaments in Chiredzi and I would like to believe that also shaped me,” said Makorova.
“Now, I am a WBF champion. It’s like a dream considering where I came from. I am glad that I made it and I still want more.”
Educated at Gozonya Primary School and Hippo Valley High School, Makorova is grounded by faith.
“When I look back at the way I was raised and how I have become a champion, I can only see God’s hand. I am very excited but at the same time, I have to keep my feet on the ground,” he said.
He will defend his belt in December. He has hopes of defending it twice before aiming for the prestigious World Boxing Organisation title.
Makorova’s stablemates include former Africa Boxing Union Lightweight champion Aliyah Phiri and WBF Super Flyweight champion Majoni.
They train under Ali “Otto” Phiri, with promotions handled by Lindsay Earle, Zimbabwe’s reigning Boxing Promoter of the Year.
“I would like to thank the Otto Boxing Club for what they are doing in my career,” said Makorova.
“Without them, maybe I would be a nobody. Our promoter, Lindsay, keeps giving us opportunities and platforms to showcase our talents as boxers. She also gives us financial support and I am really grateful for that.”
His victory lifted his record to eight wins, five losses and no draws.
Makorova’s CV already includes victories over Zimbabweans Fania Musekiwa and Hillary Josamu, as well as Malawians Yusuf Ali and Clifford Antafu.
He now stands as the latest champion out of the Lowveld, a place that grows sugar for the world, but also keeps producing fighters toughened by its soil, its heat and its spirit.
