South Africa flyweight champion Simangele “Smash” Hadebe will be fighting for a greater cause when she faces Tanzania’s Halima Vunjabei for the vacant Africa Boxing Union (ABU) title this Thursday, February 24 in the ESPN Africa Boxing tourney at the EFC Performance Institute in Johannesburg.
Beyond simply winning a title, Hadebe (11-3-2, 3 KOs) wants to use the occasion to make a big statement on what she feels is the neglected cause of child sexual abuse in South Africa.
Hadebe is no stranger to abuse, something she endured between the ages of seven and nine.
“For me it was a secret l kept for too long. Being sexually molested for two years, and unable to reveal that to anyone is the most painful experience I’ve gone through in my life,” the 28-year-old, Limpopo-born Hadebe told BoxingAfrica.com.
“That’s why l will use the day I’m fighting for the African title to let the world know about this shameful, inhuman, brutal and degrading vice in South Africa.”
For now, Hadebe does not want to divulge where this heinous incident took place and the identity of the perpetrator.
“I’m the voice of the voiceless. A lot of children in South Africa are going through child abuse but have nobody to assist them, they’re suffering in silence,” said Hadebe. “I want children to know they can get help when abused and should not remain silent. That’s why I’ll have a hotline number on my boxing clothes in my fight so that people know where they can report child abuse.”
Hadebe says boxing has helped her to overcome the trauma. Her experience led her to the sport in 2014 as she sought a way to defend herself and release for her pent-up emotions.
“Joining boxing made me feel like l was sharing my secret with someone and it was worth it because it worked,” she explained.
“Before l started boxing, having that thought was a torture to myself, it was a thought l didn’t want in my mind. Boxing helped me a lot because like any other sport, boxing is an anti-depressant. I was the only woman in the gym with men but I didn’t harbor any grudge with them after being molested sexually because not all men are bad. I also have brothers. In the ring l put aside the anger, and instead find the beauty in that anger.”
Hadebe, the oldest in a family of six children raised by a single mother on a government grant, won’t be alone in fighting for this cause on Thursday night. Her manager, Colleen McAusland, says they’re taking further steps to highlight child sexual abuse.
“‘Smash’ has been boxing wearing a top adorned with a child abuse logo but for the first time on Thursday she will carry a placard with a ‘Stop Child Abuse logo which will have hotline support telephone number,” says McAusland, who works with abused children and women as part of an NGO known as It’s Not About Me. “We want to push the South African government to take child abuse cases more seriously on this big day for my boxer.”
Colleen blames the South African government for giving this cause the cold shoulder.
“Unfortunately, in South Africa the system has failed our children and women. Little wonder child abuse is ongoing. In fact, stats show it increased during the lockdown,” says McAusland.
“I’ve assisted ‘Smash’ unpacking the trauma she endured as a young innocent child. I’ve known her since 2017, she’s like a daughter to me and I treat her like one of my children. She was not only sexually abused but also abused mentally, and physically beaten by her perpetrator who has yet to be arrested.”
Hadebe’s ABU flyweight title contest against Vunjabei (10-7-1, 6 KOs) serves as the co-main event Thursday night on ESPN, channel 218 on DStv (7:00 p.m.).
The headliner features a South Africa national junior lightweight title bout between defending champion Phila Mpontshane (15-2, 6 KOs) and challenger Sibusiso Zingange (16-5-2, 4 KOs). Mpontshane is defending the title for the sixth time.
Despite being the overwhelming favorite to clinch the African flyweight title, Hadebe is not taking her Tanzanian opponent Vunjabei for granted.
“I normally respect all my opponents,” said Hadebe. “l know nothing about Halima and it’s definitely not going to be an easy fight. l have watched a couple of her fights but that doesn’t mean l know her. She might have done the same watching my fights on videos but she also doesn’t know me. All the same we have prepared well for the fight under my coach, Anton Nel and I’m aiming to win.”
Vunjabei is equally confident of victory despite being the underdog and fighting on enemy territory.
“This is the third time I’m fighting in South Africa, so I’m not scared at all,” said Vunjabei. “We have Tanzanians living in Joburg and I’m sure they’ll come to cheer me.
“l have watched Hadebe’s fights and know how to handle her. l want to knock her out with my powerful right and return home with the belt. I’m appealing to the judges to be fair if we go the full ten rounds.”
Thursday night promises a night of great action in the ring—and will also show people that much greater battles are occurring outside of it.
“I’m not only fighting for myself in the ring, I’m also fighting for those South African children and women who can’t speak for themselves,” said Hadebe.
–John Nene
