What started as just another day in a makeshift boxing gymnasium while his passion was consumed by rugby has now made Xolisani Ndongeni a millionaire after he won the inaugural Premier Boxing League (PBL) recently.
Ndongeni walked away with R1.2-million for finishing with the most points of the league boxing format launched by former television boxing commentator Dicksy Ngqula two years ago.
Ndongeni’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of a miracle considering his humble beginnings in the fistic game.
Engrossed by rugby, one day he accompanied his cousin Thabo Sishwana to the gymnasium and after watching the boxers going through their paces he decided to join in.
“I was just fascinated by their rhythm as they train because it was like they were dancing to a song,” Ndongeni recalls.
He was always passionate about singing as he and his rugby teammates would sing before and after each match.
It was during this time that the now trademark Ndongeni song “Nank’ uNomeva, whee Nomeva” started as he and his rugby teammates used to sing it to motivate themselves before their matches.
“I stole the song and brought it to boxing and within no time everyone was singing it before my fights,” he recalls.
Not only was the song associated with him but he was given the Nomeva (wasp) moniker.
Training in shocking conditions at the Duncan Village Boxing Academy nestled in an old crèche, which has virtually no windows and is flooded by water when it rains, never deterred Ndongeni and his gym mates.
Guided by Chief Mzamo Njekanye, the boxers are a close-knit family. They understand their plight but do not allow it to stand in their way.
The Daily Dispatch profiled the dilapidated building, witnessing first hand how scarce resources are.
On the day of our visit, training could not be conducted as rain was drifting through the roof as well as the windows with a candle providing scant light.
A few broken desks acted as a ring for sparring sessions.
This is where Ndongeni, who origiinally hails from Mount Frere, hones his skills.
While there was nothing luring Ndongeni to such a poor training facility, he soon realised that boxing was his true calling.
“After a few training sessions I knew that this is where I belong and I ditched rugby,” he recalls.
Despite going on a winning streak after a brief spell in the amateur ranks, detractors were still not convinced that the 24-year-old was the goods due to his flawed technique and the fact that he is based in Duncan Village, an area notorious for detractors on boxers..
Ndongeni did not possess th e guile and fluidity often displayed by his peers but made it up with a Spartan work ethic that took him through some of the most difficult bouts.
Within a short space of time he had collected the Eastern Cape and SA junior lightweight crowns, dominating his opponents in emphatic fashion.
Not only did Ndongeni beat his opponents but he did so in convincing manner even when he moved up to lightweight to challenge seasoned campaigner Thompson Mokwana in a clash voted by the Dispatch as the Fight of the Year for 2014.
Now unbeaten in 17 bouts and after only five years as a professional, Nomeva can sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labour.
But he admits that winning the prize has not yet sunk in.
“It was not long ago when I started this thing and for me to be here is unbelievable.”
Raised by his grandmother Nowethu, Ndongeni has used his purse he earned in the PBL to build a house for his granny.
The house now needs renovating which he hopes to do with his winnings.
How about presenting himself with a German sedan?
“No no no, that is not a priority for me. Yes I will get some wheels but just a basic car which will take me from point A to B.”
Then he will buy himself a house and move out of the shack he calls a home in crime infested Duncan Village.
The rest of the windfall will finance his studies.
Video: 'Nomeva'goes from rags to riches
Ndongeni walked away with R1.2-million for finishing with the most points of the league boxing format launched by former television boxing commentator Dicksy Ngqula two years ago.
Ndongeni’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of a miracle considering his humble beginnings in the fistic game.
Engrossed by rugby, one day he accompanied his cousin Thabo Sishwana to the gymnasium and after watching the boxers going through their paces he decided to join in.
“I was just fascinated by their rhythm as they train because it was like they were dancing to a song,” Ndongeni recalls.
He was always passionate about singing as he and his rugby teammates would sing before and after each match.
It was during this time that the now trademark Ndongeni song “Nank’ uNomeva, whee Nomeva” started as he and his rugby teammates used to sing it to motivate themselves before their matches.
“I stole the song and brought it to boxing and within no time everyone was singing it before my fights,” he recalls.
Not only was the song associated with him but he was given the Nomeva (wasp) moniker.
Training in shocking conditions at the Duncan Village Boxing Academy nestled in an old crèche, which has virtually no windows and is flooded by water when it rains, never deterred Ndongeni and his gym mates.
Guided by Chief Mzamo Njekanye, the boxers are a close-knit family. They understand their plight but do not allow it to stand in their way.
The Daily Dispatch profiled the dilapidated building, witnessing first hand how scarce resources are.
On the day of our visit, training could not be conducted as rain was drifting through the roof as well as the windows with a candle providing scant light.
A few broken desks acted as a ring for sparring sessions.
This is where Ndongeni, who origiinally hails from Mount Frere, hones his skills.
While there was nothing luring Ndongeni to such a poor training facility, he soon realised that boxing was his true calling.
“After a few training sessions I knew that this is where I belong and I ditched rugby,” he recalls.
Despite going on a winning streak after a brief spell in the amateur ranks, detractors were still not convinced that the 24-year-old was the goods due to his flawed technique and the fact that he is based in Duncan Village, an area notorious for detractors on boxers..
Ndongeni did not possess th e guile and fluidity often displayed by his peers but made it up with a Spartan work ethic that took him through some of the most difficult bouts.
Within a short space of time he had collected the Eastern Cape and SA junior lightweight crowns, dominating his opponents in emphatic fashion.
Not only did Ndongeni beat his opponents but he did so in convincing manner even when he moved up to lightweight to challenge seasoned campaigner Thompson Mokwana in a clash voted by the Dispatch as the Fight of the Year for 2014.
Now unbeaten in 17 bouts and after only five years as a professional, Nomeva can sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labour.
But he admits that winning the prize has not yet sunk in.
“It was not long ago when I started this thing and for me to be here is unbelievable.”
Raised by his grandmother Nowethu, Ndongeni has used his purse he earned in the PBL to build a house for his granny.
The house now needs renovating which he hopes to do with his winnings.
How about presenting himself with a German sedan?
“No no no, that is not a priority for me. Yes I will get some wheels but just a basic car which will take me from point A to B.”
Then he will buy himself a house and move out of the shack he calls a home in crime infested Duncan Village.
The rest of the windfall will finance his studies.
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