The age-old sport of bare-fist fighting, popularly known as musangwe in Venda, has been used to gauge the bravery of young and to prepare them for challenges ahead of them in life.

No material rewards were expected during the fights. With the change of times, this old tradition has shifted focus, with many of the participants expecting some form of compensation during the fights. This was started a few years ago, when people who saw a business opportunity in the fights sponsored the tournaments. Some hardcore traditionalists were very much against the idea, saying it was against tradition.

It was only last year that the organisers of the fights in Gaba and Tshifudi  announced that they would like to develop the sport and help those who are capable to make a career out of boxing. The decision has not been in vain and is now paying dividends. One of the champions, Tshifhiwa Munyai, is now a boxer of note.

The president of Musangwe in Vhembe, Tshilidzi “Poison” Ndevana, announced the opening of the new season this week. “We had a big meeting at the weekend, which included all stakeholders that are involved in the preparations for this year. We have agreed that we should start early as our champ, Tshifhiwa Munyai, has joined the professional ranks in boxing. We need to work hard to produce a replacement champion that will be crowned on 3 January 2013,” said Ndevana.

“Preparations have been finalized, we have met the two traditional leaders, Chief Luvhone Mashau of Tshifudi and Bohwana Madzhuta of Gaba, both of whom gave us the green light. With the blessings of the traditional leaders, nothing is going to stop the season from being a success,” added Ndevana.

“Most of our fighters have the potential to make it in boxing and we are encouraging them to follow boxing and not end up only as unpaid fighters. There is a lot of money in boxing. We are hopeful that we will soon produce a world champion from this area,” he said.

One of the participants, Khwathisani “Killer” Ralukake, said he was more than ready. “Anybody who challenges me should be ready for the consequences. I am ready for any challenge,” he said.

Vhavenda Vho Frans Mudau, a musangwe fanatic, said he was happy that the season had once more arrived. “This is our tradition and we are happy that we will be able to distinguish between men and cowards in the community."