What drives SA’s women boxers?

After Phindile Mwelase's death from a knock-out punch in October, her comrades are more determined than ever to honour her - by proving themselves in the ring. Claire Keeton and photographer James Oatway visited three professional fighters in Gauteng

GABISILE TSHABALALA, 23, SA Junior Featherweight champion

"Simply the best." That's what the tattoo on Gabisile Tshabalala's right bicep says - and she has earned it.

Tshabalala (pictured) has won nine out of 10 professional fights, being knocked out only once by an Australian when challenging for the WBF Featherweight title last June.

A bantamweight, she was forced to go up to featherweight (upper limit 55.3kg) to secure a fight. Her six-pack midriff is narrow but her arms and quads are solid muscle.

Under coach Elias Mpembe, Tshabalala  trains like an Olympian, two hours a day, in a run-down room with punchbags, a broken clock and a boom box in Evaton township, south of Joburg.

Mpembe recruited boys on the street when he opened his boxing gym and Tshabalala, then 14, asked to join her soccer-playing friends. The training was so tough they dropped out - but she stayed on.

"I wanted to do something that my friends were doing. Boxing makes me happy," says Tshabalala, who turned professional in 2009 after being undefeated as an amateur. She has looked after her 15-year-old sister since their mother died.

Tshabalala is hoping for another shot soon at the WBF belt. Given her fitness, speed and ferocious sparring, she looks ready to bring the crown home.

BONGANI VUKEYA, 23, Gauteng Junior Welterweight champion

Vuyeka has fought four matches - two wins, one draw, one loss - after turning pro last March.

Women's matches start at four rounds, each round being two minutes long, and experienced fighters can go up to 10 rounds.

Vukeya (pictured below) travels from Thembisa to Hillbrow at least three times a week to train under veteran coach George Khosi.

More than 80 amateurs, five professional men and two pro women (Vukeya and Nathaline Bania) train at the Hillbrow Boxing Club. Former welterweight champion Rita Mrwebi, one of Vukeya's idols, was also training at Khosi's club when Vukeya joined at the age of 14.

"Boxing is challenging," says this lean and edgy fighter. "I wanted a rough sport and unfortunately I couldn't play rugby.

One of four sisters, she says: "My mother was my No1 supporter but unfortunately she is no longer alive".

NATHALINE BANIA, 23, Gauteng Junior Featherweight ranked No2

In the first minute of the first round, Bania knocked out her opponent on August 31 this year.

"I landed a straight right and she had no chance to touch me," says Bania (pictured below) with a mohawk and attitude to match.

She has won another fight and lost two, dislocating her shoulder in one of them, after turning professional last year.

"Phindile was my best friend, and we were fighting together in the Free State. She started here and we would spar together.

"She had a real love for boxing and was a hero," says Bania.

"Boxing is dangerous and real hard. You take risks in the ring, but I love it."

A Kaizer Chiefs fan, she says: "I like soccer too much, but I came to this place when I was 12 years old. Now the gym is my home. I come here six days a week, and in the afternoons I help to train kids. On Sundays I go to church."

Bania left Uganda as a child and has no family that she knows of.