The University of the Western Cape (UWC) community and the sporting fraternity in Cape Town have been saddened by the passing of UWC Boxing coach Ayanda 'Ginger' Mapasa this morning.
Mapasa passed away this morning after battling an illness over the past few months. He was the coach of the University Boxing Club for a long time, and was scheduled to form part of the University Sport South Africa (USSA) team that would travel to Turkey in September for the FISU University World Cup Combat Sports.
“We are shattered about Ginger’s passing. This is a great loss, not only for UWC, but for South African boxing in general,” said UWC Head of Boxing, Glen Bentley.
Bentley said the jovial Mapasa, who was one of the few highly qualified boxing coaches, had used boxing to better the lives of many youngsters from impoverished communities in Cape Town.
“At one stage he was the dual coach of UWC Boxing Club and of Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s boxing club. He would recruit youngsters from the poor communities for both institutions, using boxing as a tool.”
Mapasa has helped a number of boxers to get into university and go on to graduate, while pursuing their sporting careers. Among them is UWC alumnus Advocate Lwandiso Kwababana, who went on to serve in the executives of Western Cape Boxing and the South African National Boxing Organisation.
“What he has done has been of great fulfilment and he served his purpose. We are very sad about his passing but in the same breath, if you think about the pain he was going through, we must let him rest in peace,” said Bentley.
Bentley added that Mapasa was a great family man, friend, coach, and a man of integrity with high character. “He was overwhelmingly loved and respected by those he coached and outside the boxing ring. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
Mapasa passed away this morning after battling an illness over the past few months. He was the coach of the University Boxing Club for a long time, and was scheduled to form part of the University Sport South Africa (USSA) team that would travel to Turkey in September for the FISU University World Cup Combat Sports.
“We are shattered about Ginger’s passing. This is a great loss, not only for UWC, but for South African boxing in general,” said UWC Head of Boxing, Glen Bentley.
Bentley said the jovial Mapasa, who was one of the few highly qualified boxing coaches, had used boxing to better the lives of many youngsters from impoverished communities in Cape Town.
“At one stage he was the dual coach of UWC Boxing Club and of Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s boxing club. He would recruit youngsters from the poor communities for both institutions, using boxing as a tool.”
Mapasa has helped a number of boxers to get into university and go on to graduate, while pursuing their sporting careers. Among them is UWC alumnus Advocate Lwandiso Kwababana, who went on to serve in the executives of Western Cape Boxing and the South African National Boxing Organisation.
“What he has done has been of great fulfilment and he served his purpose. We are very sad about his passing but in the same breath, if you think about the pain he was going through, we must let him rest in peace,” said Bentley.
Bentley added that Mapasa was a great family man, friend, coach, and a man of integrity with high character. “He was overwhelmingly loved and respected by those he coached and outside the boxing ring. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
