The brazen shooting in broad daylight in Westbury, Johannesburg, of reigning South African junior bantamweight boxing champion Ronald Malindi, who died of his wounds on Saturday, talks to the flagrant disregard for human life and lawlessness in the country.
No matter the crime or wrong the 29-year-old champion committed, if any, whoever put two bullets in his head and chest robbed another human of his life. It is more than a month since he was shot, apparently while sitting in his car, and his killer is still walking free.
Though it is a suburb notorious for gang violence, Malindi might have expected to feel safe on the streets of Westbury where his fighting skills were polished for 12 years by trainers Bernie Pailman, Peter Faver and Cliff Martins, who trained fighters at Westside Boxing Academy for 16 years.
Malindi's familiarity with the area would have been increased because he was a taxi driver operating from Helen Joseph taxi rank, a stone's throw from Westbury. Helen Joseph Hospital in Auckland Park, near Westbury, is where Malindi took his last breath. He had been there since September 7 after the shooting. Bullets were still lodged in his body.
Known as “King”, he was yet to be crowned. Malindi was one successful defence away from claiming the outright ownership of the BSA Championship belt. He had recorded four successful defences.
Malindi became popular among the public and fight fans for two things — being a national champion who drives a taxi and being called “majaivane” (the one who dances most) for his sleek moves walking to the boxing ring and during and after each fight since turning professional in 2013.
That sounds strange for a man who deserved to be known as a great pugilist, undefeated after 19 fights. Skinny, with long arms, just like a young Cassius Clay who later became Muhammad Ali, Malindi dazzled opponents in the roped square.
Sticking out his tongue to taunt his opponents was his trademark jibe and before you knew it Malindi would be dancing, literally, in front of his opponent, but he was smart because he would first establish a points lead before getting naughty.
A national boxing champion, by right, must become known the day they win titles
Originally from Venda, a traditional bare-knuckle fighting hotspot, Malindi was clinical as a boxer and credit should go to the individuals who had a hand in his grooming. He was based in Brixton where he lived with his late father.
Malindi was flamboyant and liked attention. Even as a spectator, you would not miss his presence at a boxing tournament. Well mannered, he would greet and shake hands before barking instructions to fighters he liked when they were in action.
Perhaps the board of Boxing South Africa should begin now, before it is too late, to profile national assets in the way they deserve and figure out ways to protect them to avoid burying another boxing star through the barrel of a gun. National champions in any sphere of life, by right, must be celebrated and treated with respect and dignity.
South Africa buried former South Africa, WBU and WBO heavyweight champ Corrie “The Sniper” Sanders in 2012 after he was killed in a robbery at a restaurant in Brits. Sanders, 46, was shot in the hand and stomach during a 21st birthday celebration for his nephew and died in Pretoria Hospital. Three Zimbabweans who were convicted for his murder are behind bars serving 30 years each.
A national boxing champion, by right, must become known the day they win titles. That is how big the South African title should be, though it has been reduced to a Mickey Mouse title and minimal titles have been given undeserved priority by boxing promoters who should be focusing on marketing and building the sport in the country.
Malindi will be buried at West Park Cemetery. Hopefully justice will be served so he can rest easier.
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