“A POWDER-PUFF PUNCHER”
Mr Nkosana “Happyboy” Mgxaji
Today, the South African nation and the peoples of the world are laying to rest one of the ‘gallant fighters in the history of boxing. Happyboy Mgxaji, the slim “Bold and the Beautiful” man in the boxing ring is no more.
Mgxaji, “the go-go gyrationer”, began his boxing career, at the age of eight, when he was taught the game in the Peacock Hall, in Duncan Village. At the age of 30 years old, Mgxaji only lost once in 73 fights.He called himself “Blueboy” but later switched to “Happyboy”.
As Malvory Adams refers to him, Happyboy Mgxaji was a powder-puff puncher which possessed the blinding speed of a Sugar Ray Leonard and the elusiveness of a Parnell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker. He was the ultimate luminary of that rare ability: “Hit but don’t get hit”.
He is a man who used to give many South Africans ‘goose bumps’ as he exhibited his “danca-danca” as he made the doomsayers eat humble pie in the hype of enthusiastic dazzling footwork.
This was observed in 1972 when this South African sporting giant beat Moses Mthembu on points over eight rounds in September. It was the first time that boxing had been staged at the Sisa Dukushe Stadium in Mdantsane where he regularly attracted crowds of more than 25 000 spectators to the venue.
No other fighter from the Eastern Cape, including world champions in the caliber of Welcome Ncita, Mbulelo Botile and Vuyani Bungu, ever attracted crowds of such magnitude.
This boxing fans “crowd” puller managed to do this miracle because of his agility in the boxing ring.Not only his agility but also a ‘social institution’ of the Eastern Cape Province. His ability to win people over was not only about boxing. Instead, an ability to tell a story about social and cultural rituals that revolved around one particular individual.
Elsewhere in the world our eyes were glued on the small screen witnessing the punching machines produced by the firebrand ring master in the name of Happyboy Mgxaji. But, in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape province of South Africa, our people thronged to Sisa Dukushe Stadium to see one of their own, their boxing Prince, and their own boxing Royalty.
“Bra Nko”, as he used to be called by those who adored him, was an entertainer, a role model, a source of pride, and a break from a dreary week of hardworking hours for many African men and women.
He was one of the legends of the South African rings, who were probably the best of the many outstanding fighters in South Africa and the world. He was certainly one of the best who never won a world title, but in 1979, in Cape Town – Goodwood show grounds, he met Samuel Serrano of Puerto Rico for the WBA junior lightweight title.
Bra Happy gave Serrano problems at the beginning of the match. However, the South African Boxing World reported that there was no “Happiness for Happyboy, who “clowened” his way through the “bout”. He was tagged with a whiplash left hook to the jaw and a rasping right to the body in the eighth round.
At this moment, the force of those blows sent Bra Nko backwards.He immediately staggered his feet at the count of eight but was in no condition to continue.His chief second, Ronnie Madinda, threw in the towel and referee Larry Rozadilla stopped the fight one minute, 34 seconds into the round.
However, Bra Nko “Happyboy” – Blueboy Mgxaji enjoyed a moment of glory in the fifth round when he dropped Samuel Serrano with a cracking right to the jaw.Instead of following up, quickly, he stood back and allowed Serrano to recover and that is how he lost that match.
Losing in the fight stoppage, that was a source of pain for Mr Mgxaji. This was his greatest attribute that also turned out to be one of Bra Nko’s greatest weaknesses because of his overwhelmed confidence and less training to prepare for a very important fight in his lifetime.
This is dialectically linked to the case of being “convinced as he was of his prowess, Mr Mgxaji also got the short end of the stick I financial matters, like many other sporting greats here and abroad who have died penniless”.
Let me take this opportunity to quote the speech I delivered at Baby Jake Matlala Gala Dinner on the 27th January 2011, I had this to say, “We are all aware of the economic status of many South Africa Boxers.Their situations are disturbingly unacceptable.You will think and conclude that all of them are engaged in a ‘wealth exhibition walk-about’ when they afford to the detriment of under-saving or not saving at all.On contrary, what do you explain to a young Boxer that only manages to secure three or less fights a year?What do you do to a young Boxer who lacks basic education and life skills, a boxer who is illiterate and come from extremely poor background?”
These are few and some of the questions our society needs to grabble with before throwing stones in a glass-house and before shooting ourselves on the foot.“We are not prepared to throw this ‘precious heritage’ of our people, Boxing, into the dust bin of history because of a few ‘modern vultures and scavengers’ who prey on the unsuspecting young boxers and boxing legends and heroes; sucking their innocent blood; tarnishing their flesh and breaking down their fragile bones; only for their own and selfish gains and glory.
Our nation and people need to wake-up and stand firm by all our sport and recreation leaders, heroes and heroines, and legends and protect them with anything we have.
In the same vein, it is befitting to say that Mr. Nkosana Mgxaji’s presence in our lives, his dedication and his inimitable flair inspired an entire generation of local boxers, some of whom went on to become national and world champions.He was unwittingly providing a peculiar social leadership foisted upon him by those who saw him as a cultural symbol who had to perform the same act every time they came to watch him.
Let me close by borrowing few words from Dr. Xolela Mangcu when he wrote about this legend in the close of the 20th century, “as we close this millennium in celebration of its great leaders and events, let us not forget to honour the ordinary people who provided us with meaning, purpose and entertainment daily.”Let us not do that about Mr Nkosana Mgxaji and many more.
Buti Nkosana, you made our nation proud!
May your soul rest in peace.
