Phiwokuhle Mnguni: “I Am Proud to Be One of the Pioneers”

South African boxer, Phiwokuhle Mnguni made history, making her country proud for being the first ever South African female boxer to receive a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games recently held in Birmingham.

Mnguni represented many South African women who don’t get the opportunity to represent the country in the sport and her achievement has given hope to those who come after her.

From KZN, Mnguni is a SANABO Team (A) Featherweight National and AFBC Zone 4 Champion. Some of her career highlights include getting a gold medal at the AFBC Boxing Championship.

After her heroics in Birmingham, Mnguni is eager to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris as she will aim to fly the country’s flag high once again.

Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Mnguni chats more about how women boxers should be given the exposure they deserve.

Phiwokuhle, congratulations on your performance at the Commonwealth Games and winning a bronze medal. How was the experience for you? Also describe the feeling of being awarded that beautiful shiny medal, representing SA?

Thanks you, ngiyabonga! The experience was great and every boxer dreams to fight against the top boxers in the world and that is the experience I enjoyed.

Thank you for chatting to us here on gsport. Please introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m Phiwokuhle Sibusisiwe Mnguni, people call me Ben10. I’m from KZN and I am coached by Nkosinathi “Coach Nathi” Hlatshwayo in Dundee. I am a SANABO Team (A) Featherweight National and AFBC Zone 4 Champion.

How does it feel to be the first ever South African female boxer to get a medal at the Commonwealth Games?

South Africa has a lot of talented female boxers and I believe that God used me to show the world at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 that there is more where this comes from. I am proud to be one of the pioneers.

When and where did your love for sports begin?

I started boxing at the tender age of 8 but could only fight when I was 12 because of boxing rules. In my community growing up, you needed to be strong and I fell in love with boxing because it was good for my self-esteem and discipline.

What does a typical day look like as a pro boxer?

I attend classes and then after that I go to gym. My training depends on the how far is my next competition is. On an ordinary day I spend my time at the gym working with my coach.

What are some of the challenges you have faced as a female boxer and how did you overcome them?

I struggled a lot because I didn’t have funds to study further after completing my grade 12. It was through boxing that I received a scholarship to fund my studies.

Besides sports, what else are you doing in your life and how do you manage your time?

I’m currently studying at Boston City Campus, doing Sports Management and because it’s sports related, it is better for my time management.

What has been some of your career highlights?

• Bronze Medal winner at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and first women to do so for South Africa is my best highlight;
• Gold medal winner at the AFBC Boxing Championships; and
• 6x National Champion.

Who are some of the sportswomen you admire and why?

• Bongiwe Msomi (SPAR Proteas captain)
• Refiloe Jane (Banyana-Banyana Captain)
• Serena Williams (Highly Ranked Woman Tennis player)

The women above perform to the best of their abilities and always go back to their communities to encourage young kids and women to continue doing what they love and imparting on them that we are as capable (if not more) as men. They uplift the community.

Looking back at the last five years, what do you think of the coverage of women’s sports, both online and on print. Also specifically boxing?

Mina kahle kahle, I don’t see a lot of women in South African boxing being promoted. They deserve to be, but I haven’t seen anyone I could look up to as a young woman other than the international women boxers.

What progress do women still need to make in the field of boxing?

I believe if women are given equal opportunities to participate at the high levels like the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Olympics, we can have greater representation of Women Boxers at professional level.

What’s your advice to young girls who want to pursue this career and how important is it for them to take care of themselves mentally, physically and emotionally?

I would say boxing is good for a number of reasons, namely: the maintenance of a healthy body, healthy mind, good self-esteem and being able to travel the world.

What are your thoughts on the overall performance of women boxers at the Commonwealth Games?

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 boxing bouts were equally attractive and watched by all. This means the standard of women’s boxing was elevated to that of men. The African ladies made me proud to be an African woman boxer.

We are heading into gsport17 awards and our theme is Power of Recognition. How important is Power of Recognition for you?

Sometimes people don’t want money but just to be recognized and it raises their dignity, it make them feel special.

What’s your greatest career ambition?

Yoohoy! As a boxer to qualify and get a podium finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As an individual to assist our sports development for women.