International boxing champ Zolani Tete has put a flourishing career on hold to care for his mother, who needs a prosthetic leg.
The rising star from Mdantsane was celebrated in East London soon after winning the IBF junior bantamweight crown in Japan in July.
Tete, 25, packed up his life and moved from Johannesburg a year ago, which he said had a bad affect on his career, to care for his mother, Nomonde. Despite the consequences of the move, he does not regret his decision.
Nomonde Tete has been struggling since her right leg was amputated as a consequence of diabetes in 2011.
After a six-month hospital stay, she broke her left leg and has been struggling to do anything for herself at home.
Eastern Cape bikers, who are part of the Cold Steel non-profit organisation, have since come forward to help the Tete family raise funds towards Nomonde’s “freedom”. They want to raise R200000 for a prosthetic leg and have called on corporate companies to come on board.
In an interview with the Saturday Dispatch, Tete spoke of his decision to put his career on hold. “Sponsors and advanced training equipment cannot be found in East London. Even if I get fights this side, the money is not the same as in Johannesburg. With my mother falling sick, now both my parents don’t work. We had to come back because my mother was gravely ill and dad was not coping alone.
“The move has affected by career but I’m not complaining because I need my mother more than other things in life. She is the pillar of our family. I knew things would be difficult in East London but I was hopeful.”
His mother said the worst was not being able to go to the toilet by herself.
“I was the only one working before I got sick. We were financially supported by the kids and now when I stopped working, things got difficult and sometimes even Zolani could not fight because of health problems,” she said.
“Last born”, as Tete is affectionately known at home and in the ring, had planned to buy the leg with money from a match that was supposed to take place in October but it did not take place.
“The boxing industry is a strange business. There is money but the promoters hide it from us. We are complaining. If everyone was fair, there would be transparency when it comes to money.
“I’m holding one of the biggest titles now, the IBF, and I expect money when I defend it but in South Africa I can be told I will be defending it for R200000 or R300000 but in other countries it’s not like that.”
Cold Steel’s national president Noel Monk said R30000 has been raised so far.
“We would like to get some sponsors on board to assist with getting his mom a leg and to boost his career. We have a World Champ on our doorstep and I believe that with your assistance we could achieve this and get him to where he should be,” Monk said.
World champ hangs up gloves to help his mom
The rising star from Mdantsane was celebrated in East London soon after winning the IBF junior bantamweight crown in Japan in July.
Tete, 25, packed up his life and moved from Johannesburg a year ago, which he said had a bad affect on his career, to care for his mother, Nomonde. Despite the consequences of the move, he does not regret his decision.
Nomonde Tete has been struggling since her right leg was amputated as a consequence of diabetes in 2011.
After a six-month hospital stay, she broke her left leg and has been struggling to do anything for herself at home.
Eastern Cape bikers, who are part of the Cold Steel non-profit organisation, have since come forward to help the Tete family raise funds towards Nomonde’s “freedom”. They want to raise R200000 for a prosthetic leg and have called on corporate companies to come on board.
In an interview with the Saturday Dispatch, Tete spoke of his decision to put his career on hold. “Sponsors and advanced training equipment cannot be found in East London. Even if I get fights this side, the money is not the same as in Johannesburg. With my mother falling sick, now both my parents don’t work. We had to come back because my mother was gravely ill and dad was not coping alone.
“The move has affected by career but I’m not complaining because I need my mother more than other things in life. She is the pillar of our family. I knew things would be difficult in East London but I was hopeful.”
His mother said the worst was not being able to go to the toilet by herself.
“I was the only one working before I got sick. We were financially supported by the kids and now when I stopped working, things got difficult and sometimes even Zolani could not fight because of health problems,” she said.
“Last born”, as Tete is affectionately known at home and in the ring, had planned to buy the leg with money from a match that was supposed to take place in October but it did not take place.
“The boxing industry is a strange business. There is money but the promoters hide it from us. We are complaining. If everyone was fair, there would be transparency when it comes to money.
“I’m holding one of the biggest titles now, the IBF, and I expect money when I defend it but in South Africa I can be told I will be defending it for R200000 or R300000 but in other countries it’s not like that.”
Cold Steel’s national president Noel Monk said R30000 has been raised so far.
“We would like to get some sponsors on board to assist with getting his mom a leg and to boost his career. We have a World Champ on our doorstep and I believe that with your assistance we could achieve this and get him to where he should be,” Monk said.
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