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Johannesburg - Hard work, commitment and dedication have paid off for budding female boxing promoter Meme Dipheko of Team Dida Promotions.
In her first year in this male-dominated boxing-promotion business, her hard work and commitment have earned her the nomination for the Boxing South Africa (BSA) most promising promoter of the year award.
Dipheko is competing with two other up-and-coming promoters, Shereen Hunter of Unleashed Combat Sport and BDR Promotions and Sandile Xaka’s Supreme Boxing Promotions, for the accolade.
Dedication has paid off
The eagerly awaited BSA awards, which celebrate the brightest stars that made last year a memorable one, will be held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth on February 2.
Dipheko, a Kagiso-born businessperson, said that, although she was not expecting to be nominated, she was happy the work being done by Team Dida within the boxing community was being recognised.
“It’s really a great honour for us to be nominated for a BSA award. We’ve worked really hard to grow the company, but were not aware that people out there were watching. As Team Dida, we are glad that our hard work, commitment and dedication have paid off,” said Dipheko.
Team Dida has produced two champions so far – Mpho “Turbo” Seforo and Thato “Captain Charisma” Bonokoana, who are both from Gauteng, in the WBF All Africa tournament. Seforo won in the light flyweight category and Bonokoana took the featherweight crown.
Expand horizons
Team Dida’s first boxing tournament was in November 2016 and Dipheko and her team have not looked back since.
Dipheko, who is married to Pius Dipheko, a boxing trainer and former boxer, attributes the success of her company to teamwork.
“I’m thankful to the whole team for a job well done. This nomination is for everybody who worked with us and I cannot take credit alone as it was a collective effort,” she said.
She decided to make a contribution to the development of boxing in the country after being a fan for 19 years.
“My husband and I are in the fitness business so I decided to expand our horizons to promote boxing. Most youngsters in our communities are underprivileged and they can better their lives through sport. The sport takes them off the streets".
