Boxing promoter and businessman Mr Hendrick Nenngwekhulu (54) was laid to rest at the Tshithuthuni graveyard last Saturday.

Nenngwekhulu died in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 4, in the Tshilidzini hospital. Diabetes and cancer have been identified as the cause of his death.

He was the owner of Tshiawelo Electrical. His interests in boxing led him to establish Tshiawelo Boxing Promotions officially in 2004. As a businessman, he was the main sponsor and founder of Zwashu, a cultural organization aimed at reviving and promoting indigenous dances.

A memorial service to mourn Nenngwekhulu’s death was held at Makhado Multi-Purpose Centre a day before his funeral. Nenngwekhulu’s funeral service was attended by politicians, businessmen, boxers and other individuals from different sporting codes, including the managing director of Black Leopards, Mr David Thidiela.

The former MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Joe Maswanganyi, said that, as one of the best promoters ever in the province, Nenngwekhulu will be remembered for promoting boxing in South Africa.

Maswanganyi said that the deceased was not in boxing for glory or money. "Being a boxing promoter without a sponsor is very difficult, but Nenngwekhulu was doing it while using his own resources because he had a passion to develop his own young rural boys," he said.

Mr Korda Maqina from Peoples Boxing Promotion, representing the South African Boxing Promoters Association, described Nenngwekhulu as a very good boxing organizer. "In all his approved tournaments, I don’t remember a single fight having been cancelled by Boxing South Africa. He was trying to win the confidence of boxing people, but his untimely death stopped him. He was a peaceful man of few words, but a lot of action," he said.

Boxer Dingaan "The Rose of Soweto" Thobela said that the passing away of Nenngwekhulu is a great loss to the boxing fraternity of Limpopo. Thobela said that, since Tshiawelo Boxing Promotions was established, local boxers were no longer moving closer to their promoters in other provinces. "I will never forget the support he was giving me in all my fights. This is the man who was unearthing hidden talents, bringing boxing tournaments closer to the local communities. I think it will be difficult to get his replacement," said Thobela.

The mayor of Makhado, Cllr Glory Mashaba, said: "We’ve lost an icon in the boxing fraternity who has made an enormous contribution in terms of developing and nurturing the talents of black people in our municipality, province and country. We will remain celebrating his contribution of improving the lives of our people.’

Nenngwekhulu is survived by his mother, eight children and his wife, Sophie.