Dingaan “Rose of Soweto” Thobela, the former South African boxing world champion, passed away at the age of 57 on April 29, 2024, after battling illness.
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Thobela, fondly known as the “Rose of Soweto,” was discovered deceased in his flat in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
His childhood friend Eddie Mutungutungu confirmed that Thobela was found dead after several failed attempts to reach him.
“He was strangely unavailable on his mobile, and his family, accompanied by police, managed to gain access to his place of residence and found he had passed on,” Mutungutungu told Sowetan.
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Thobela, born Dingaan Bongane Thobela, held three world titles in two-weight divisions during his illustrious career. Trained by veteran Norman Hl;abane, he claimed the WBO and WBA lightweight belts in the lightweight divisions early in his career.
However, his crowning moment came in September 2000 when he secured the prestigious WBC super middleweight belt with a 12th-round stoppage victory over defending champion Glen Catley at Carnival City in Brakpan, with trainer Elias Tshabalala in his corner.
Despite his remarkable achievements in the boxing ring, Thobela had been facing health challenges in recent times, which prevented him from attending Boxing SA’s symposium last Friday.
Thobela is survived by his two children, Ntombi and Dingaan Thobela Junior, from his relationship with his common-law wife Sandra.
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