World champion Zolani Tete touched down at East London Airport on Monday evening to be greeted by more than 100 loyal fans after a successful World Boxing Super Series encounter, where he beat Mikhail Aloyan at the Ekaterinburg Expo in Russia on the weekend.
Among the dignitaries who waited more than an hour for the Mdantsane homeboy was sport and recreation minister Thokozile Xasa and Eastern Cape MEC of sport and recreation Bulelwa Tunyiswa, along with members of the boxing fraternity.
“No matter where you go the Eastern Cape has talent, and thank you for representing South Africa to the world, because you are no longer representing the province but the entire country,” said Xasa.
“We also thank your parents because it takes parents to nurture a young man like you.”
Tunyiswa also praised Tete, who has advanced to the WBSS semi-finals, saying: “The great performance by Zolani did not only draw the attention of boxing lovers, but even people that don’t always notice what happens in sport.
“Zolani is following in the footsteps of many greats that the province has produced in various walks of life, including sport, and his achievements are really evidence that he grew up in the same environment that nurtured Nkosana “Happy Boy” Mgxaji, Mzukisi Skweyiya, Vuyani Bungu, Welcome Ncitha and many more,” said Tunyiswa.
Tunyiswa said: “MercedesBenz SA associated itself with Zolani Tete and that is highly appreciated – more especially that he was embraced by both management and workers.
“That partnership and the role played by Mercedes-Benz is really appreciated, but we are still going to meet and raise other issues that we think should be addressed by both of us [private sector and the department],” said Tunyiswa.
After the hero’s welcome at the airport, Buffalo City Metro threw a party for Tete at the East London City Hall...