Makazole Tete’s family took their son to a sangoma (traditional healer) after his lethargic performance in his world title fight after losing to Gideon Buthelezi in East London this past December.This has been disclosed by the boxer’s brother Zolani, who is also an active pugilist and a former world champion.
Makazole produced a lucklustre showing in his first world title fight as he meekly succumbed to a points defeat to the fired up Buthelezi in their IBO junior bantamweight bout.
While he is not known as a hyper active boxer, Makazole’s lack of interest in the fight left everyone, including his mother Nomonde and brother Zolani, perplexed.
He would constantly turn his back over the smallest of infraction and avoided eye contact with Zolani who is renowned for shouting instructions and encouragement from the ringside.
Zolani, who outpointed tough Filipino Jether Oliva in another bout despite carrying an injury, said his brother had a glazed look after the fight.
“When I chatted with him at the dressing room he looked like someone else that I have never seen before,” he said.
The foreign expression continued weeks after the fight as Makazole even refused to eat instead locking himself in his bedroom for successive days.
The boxer hardly got out of bed sparking concerns from his family.
Zolani says his brother still has no recollection of the fight.
“He kept complaining that he could not feel his body even during the fight. We always encourage each other when one of us is fighting but that night Mayzo even avoided eye contact with me and I immediately suspected that something was wrong. I do not take anything away from Buthelezi, who fought a good fight, but there was no way that he could beat Mayzo.”
Several attempts to get him back on his feet, including inviting his choir mates to talk to him, failed to yield positive results as the 28-year-old showed no interest in anything.
Fearing for the worst, including potential suicide, the family took him to a sangoma who gave him muti.
Zolani says since consulting the sangoma, Makazole has showed signs of returning to his former self.
“He is much better now than he was after the fight.”
The Tete brothers have had mysterious illnesses in the past with Zolani even suffering from what looked like a stroke which was never diagnosed by doctors ahead of one of his fights.
Although he recovered from the illness, Zolani again fell ill when part of his private part got so swollen he could hardly walk forcing the postponement of his vacant SA junior bantamweight title clash against Duncan Village’s Unathi Gqokoma.
Drawing comparison with his own misfortunes, Zolani said it was obvious that there were evil spirits hellbent to ensure that he and his sibling do not succeed in boxing.
“It is clear as daylight now to us that there is an evil spirit against us and this was confirmed by the sangoma,” he said.
Zolani said that he had sat down with his brother and advised him to put the loss to Buthelezi behind him and focus on his future.
Tete’s family seeking help after defeat
This has been disclosed by the boxer’s brother Zolani, who is also an active pugilist and a former world champion.
Makazole produced a lucklustre showing in his first world title fight as he meekly succumbed to a points defeat to the fired up Buthelezi in their IBO junior bantamweight bout.
While he is not known as a hyper active boxer, Makazole’s lack of interest in the fight left everyone, including his mother Nomonde and brother Zolani, perplexed.
He would constantly turn his back over the smallest of infraction and avoided eye contact with Zolani who is renowned for shouting instructions and encouragement from the ringside.
Zolani, who outpointed tough Filipino Jether Oliva in another bout despite carrying an injury, said his brother had a glazed look after the fight.
“When I chatted with him at the dressing room he looked like someone else that I have never seen before,” he said.
The foreign expression continued weeks after the fight as Makazole even refused to eat instead locking himself in his bedroom for successive days.
The boxer hardly got out of bed sparking concerns from his family.
Zolani says his brother still has no recollection of the fight.
“He kept complaining that he could not feel his body even during the fight. We always encourage each other when one of us is fighting but that night Mayzo even avoided eye contact with me and I immediately suspected that something was wrong. I do not take anything away from Buthelezi, who fought a good fight, but there was no way that he could beat Mayzo.”
Several attempts to get him back on his feet, including inviting his choir mates to talk to him, failed to yield positive results as the 28-year-old showed no interest in anything.
Fearing for the worst, including potential suicide, the family took him to a sangoma who gave him muti.
Zolani says since consulting the sangoma, Makazole has showed signs of returning to his former self.
“He is much better now than he was after the fight.”
The Tete brothers have had mysterious illnesses in the past with Zolani even suffering from what looked like a stroke which was never diagnosed by doctors ahead of one of his fights.
Although he recovered from the illness, Zolani again fell ill when part of his private part got so swollen he could hardly walk forcing the postponement of his vacant SA junior bantamweight title clash against Duncan Village’s Unathi Gqokoma.
Drawing comparison with his own misfortunes, Zolani said it was obvious that there were evil spirits hellbent to ensure that he and his sibling do not succeed in boxing.
“It is clear as daylight now to us that there is an evil spirit against us and this was confirmed by the sangoma,” he said.
Zolani said that he had sat down with his brother and advised him to put the loss to Buthelezi behind him and focus on his future.
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