February 2009 Woman: Mbali Zantsi

In boxing circles, the name Mbali Zantsi is synonymous with excellence. This is a woman whose dreams know no boundaries and whose desire to inspire the youth is truly remarkable. On the road to becoming South Africa’s first female boxing promoter, she has helped significantly raise the profile of women’s boxing in the country, and at gsport, we salute her!

Mbali, who gained her promoter’s licence back in 2003, readily admits that she loves the road less travelled and she has always wanted to be a pioneer, to break down barriers that hold us back as women.

In 2007, she realized a four-year dream f hosting South Africa’s first-ever all-female boxing tournament. The highly-anticipated event took place at the International Convention Centre in Durban during Women’s Month the event saw four South African female boxers, Noni Thenge, Unathi Myekeni, Sendra Almeida and Dorothy Cloete, clash with opponents from Brazil.

It was hailed by many as a step in the right direction for women’s boxing.

While she is doing her bit to raise the profile of women’s boxing in SA, Mbali is also giving her male counterparts a run for their money in the world of men’s boxing, running the highly successful Showtime Promotions..

Her business savvy and her passion for boxing has seen her secure the support of SABC TV which often screen her fights.

A protege of Mzi Mnguni, the well known East London manager, trainer and promoter, Zantsi has made the veteran feel very proud. Back in 2005, in an interview with the Sunday Tribune, he said: “Her whole approach to promoting is different from we old-timers.

“I’m still relying upon my experience, but she has so many new ideas I think she’ll want to overtake me.”

Here is a woman with amazing self-belief and the ability to work hard to realize her dreams. There is no doubt she will continue to make strides in the world of boxing. South Africa is sure proud to call her one of its own!

Introducing gsport’s February 2009 Woman, South Africa’s first female boxing promoter, Mbali Zantsi!

Mbali, what made you decide you wanted to become a boxing promoter?

I guess I love to travel road less traveled, be a pioneer, breaking the barriers that are holding us back as women and still have a meaningful contribution to the socio-economy of the country. 

How did you feel when you finally achieved the feat of becoming the first female boxing promoter in South Africa?

It was awesome and scary at the same time because it came with its challenges and certain expectations from people and the fear of not failing myself but the women of South Africa at large that I am representing.

What does it take to become a boxing promoter?

It takes guts, a strong but smart person and with nerves of steal but with respect for one’s self and the others, a person that can run a business and also be an events manager with people skills that knows when to be independent and when to be interdependent.

One must have enough resources (money, boxers & support term) to be able to sustain one’s business while looking for support and sponsorship. Acquire a license from Boxing South Africa to do development tourneys or National to International Tournaments, then it is the presentations with TV Channels.

What have been your biggest challenges so far as a woman in boxing?

Earning the respect that I command now, dealing with the stereotypes and changing the attitudes of the boxing fans around females in their previously male dominated fields/ sporting codes. Getting the well deserved recognition and sponsorship. The responsibility of representing women and achieve results as such. The challenge of not failing SABC and  BSA having been afforded a platform to showcase my own talent in boxing in our country on live television.

Share with us some of your highlights?

• My first show which was a major success in P.E (against all odds under a very sharp eye from the media and my fellow promoters) that is known to be dead in boxing.
• Producing my first Champion in boxing on my second show in East London the Mecca of boxing.
• Being the executive member of the promoter’s association.
• Being nominated as the promoter of the year among the cream de la cream in South African Boxing and also the nomination as the  SABC2 Shoprite/Checkers woman of the year, these meant that we have made some big strides and are a force to be reckoned with as Showtime through the success of our boxers that saw us rated among the top four promoters in the country and as the leading female production in South Africa.
• Promoting my first international all women fight and making history for our South African Boxers and officials in South Africa and the world over. 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

To focus on my strength, never give up on anything I believe in and to never miss the lesson when I do fail and start all over again smarter than before. My attitude determines my success in life.

In 2007, you held the first ever professional women’s boxing fight in South Africa. What was that like?

Very hectic, challenging, exciting, taxing on emotions with the highs and lows. It was an eye opener and taught me a lot and also made me realize the potential that we have in SA as women and also my true strength as a person under trying times and also of our company “Showtime Boxing Promotions”.

What can be done to improve the state of women’s sport in South Africa?

• We need more girls to go to the gyms and to be given fights.
• There is a dire need to expose the talent of our girls through branding and marketing.
• More development tournaments
• More girls have to turn professional so that we can have a pool of girls to fight against each other.
• Promoters to feature at least one or two bouts of girls in their tournaments.

What are you most passionate about?

Children and sport.

What is your favourite sport?

Boxing and tennis

Who is your favourite sports star?

It used to be Marion Jones, currently it’s the William sisters especially Serena.

How do you keep fit?

Planet Fitness when I have time or make sure that I always use the stairs.

gsport strives to celebrate femininity. How would you define femininity?

Being a woman and proud and enjoy the pleasures that come with, sensitivity, softness, being sexy but yet strong and smart.

What’s the best thing about being a South African woman?

Our President championing the course of women and our constitution is protecting us. There are  policies in place to make sure that we are treated as equal beings in our country, leveling the playing field and women getting the recognition that they deserve and getting their rightful place in all spheres of life.

What inspires you?

People who believe in themselves and pursue their dreams against all odds, and understand that life is no plain sailing.

Who are your role models?

My mother who worked so hard, sacrificed so much to ascertain that we get the necessary education and teaching us the social graces in life, principles and values and the never say die attitude to achieve our goals and objectives in life.

What is your greatest ambition?

To achieve so much that I can make a meaningful contribution  towards the development of the South African youth make the world a better place and to live in a world with healthy and happy people. Create more role models and bread winners, empower our youth to be able to carry their own families.