Two-time former world champion Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni, born in KwaBhaca (formerly known as Mount Frere), Eastern Cape, thanks boxing for saving his life.
The shy but energetic Nomeva, as he is affectionally known, says if he hadn’t gone to the gym in 2007, he might have been shot with his friend or ended up in prison.
Nomeva is turning his boxing skills to help celebrities stay fit as a personal trainer in Midrand and has bought himself a franchise of the All Fight Club Fitness gym.
Nomeva tells Sunday Times Daily that when he returned from KwaBhaca, where he spent some years with his grandmother because his parents wanted him to be on the straight and narrow, he found two friends he had left behind in Duncan village had been killed and four were in prison.
“One came out of prison, and we used to see each other often ... But at the time I had joined boxing club ... On this eventful day, we were supposed to hook up like we normally do, but instead I went to the gym ... On my return from the gym I heard he was shot,” Nomeva says.
He says his friend was condemned to a wheelchair for almost a year before the gang who shot him finished him off.
“Up to this day, I believe if I hadn’t gone to the gym I would have either been shot myself or even worse, arrested,” he says.
Nomeva attributes his fortunes to his mentor and trainer Mzamo “Chief” Njekanye, who when Nomeva’s parents died in 2015 and 2016, took him in as a son and made sure he stayed in boxing.
“Chief was my father, manager, trainer, my everything. He made me a SA champion and a world champion,” Nomeva says as his face changes from joyful to serious.
Nomeva, who had a promising rugby career in his younger days‚ has rejoined Njekanye, who led him to the 2016 Boxing SA’s Boxer of the Year award.
The former SA‚ IBO and WBF lightweight champion counts among his clients seasoned TV actress and successful businesswoman Connie Ferguson, FHM model Bridget Masinga and actress Rami Chuene.
Nomeva had a stint with Luis Tapia at the Floyd Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas.
On his return from the US in 2018, Nomeva says it is then that he felt he needed to do something about his career and start to think about life after boxing.
“My son was two years old then and now he is five. He is looking to me to provide for him ... a shelter and good education,” he says with a smile.
He says when he ventured into business he wanted to change the stereotype that when boxers retire, they have to find a job back home and live on handouts.
“I’ve seen many of my peers who came to Johannesburg to look for fame and fortune returning back to the Eastern Cape empty handed when their careers end. I vowed that will not be my destiny,” he says.
Nomeva, who relocated to Johannesburg from the Eastern Cape in 2015, is also the regional manager of all Fight Club Fitness gyms.
Nomeva says they employ about 80% of boxers, including Mthatha-born Sikho Nqothole, Innocent Mantengu, Simpiwe Konkco and Zolile Miya as personal trainers.
“I’m trying to instill a hardworking mentality in other boxers.”
His personal motto is, we don’t get tired until we are done!
— Bridget Masinga
Ferguson describes Nomeva as “a softie at heart”, but pushes her harder and is very strict.
She says in her first session with Nomeva, she felt like a fish out of water, but fell in love with boxing and the style of training nonetheless.
“In the beginning he was firm but very patient. But now he’s a lot stricter and pushes harder. He’s a softie at heart though, so he always apologises after a tough session and tells you you did good,” she says.
Ferguson says: “He has turned his passion into business, so already he’s off to a great start, as work will always feel like play to him.”
She advises Nomeva that as he grows he must remain humble, never forget where he started and keep his eye on the target.
“As a boxer he understands that one wrong move is a potential knockout!”
Masinga says she watched Nomeva train Ferguson for a few months and is impressed by his dedication to her fitness and his nature of being.
She describes Nomeva as energetic yet gentle, and says he makes an otherwise challenging sport (boxing) seem less daunting for non-boxers.
“His personal motto is, we don’t get tired until we are done!”
"He has become family to some of us. The little brother that always annoys you and reminds you of the goals you’ve set out for yourself."
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