Musangwe tournament described as a success -

The organisers of the 2022 Musangwe bare buckle boxing tournament have described this year’s edition as a massive success.

The Musangwe bare buckle tournament ended on Saturday, 31 December after the whole month of action. It took place in Tshifudi Munangwe Dipeni in the Vhembe District in Limpopo.

The Musangwe event is a nearly 200-year-old fighting tradition of the Vhavenda tribe. The rules of the competition are no gloves, no headgear and no time limits. If you are knocked out, you are allowed to get up and continue to fight. But only when one fighter submits can the fight come to an end.

MUSANGWE EVENT A SUCCESS

“What is happening here is unexpected due to the large crowd that has gathered here,” said acting president Pfarelo ‘Zulu’ Mahadulula.

“But it shows that people had a hunger for this event looking at how they are also fighting. Everyone who comes here can see that people are here to fight.

Pfarelo 'Zulu' Mahadulula president of Musangwe — **Pfarelo ‘Zulu’ Mahadulula president of Musangwe**

“We have young boys that we are grooming for this event to showcase their talent. We believe we will have future champions coming from Musangwe,” he said.

“There are scouts here assessing these young boys to introduce them to professional boxing and also give them lessons.”

WHY WOMEN ARE NOT ALLOWED

“Ever since I started participating in Musangwe, Women are not allowed to attend. When I asked why I was told there are people who don’t wear their shirts, and some get half naked. It also makes it peaceful because once we have Women some want to prove a point,” explained Mahadulula.

During this year’s event, Musangwe also honoured their late president Tshilidzi ‘Poison’ Ndevana. Ndevane passed away in 202 due to covid-19. The former school teacher was the president of the annual tournament for more than a decade.

The 2023 edition is set to take place during the Christmas season at the same venue.

GALLERY OF MUSANGWE TOURNAMENT