Mandela said “Boxing is Egalitarian.” We like that; but the problem is that boxing in South Africa hasn’t been so classless with the township and blue collar types getting their fill whilst the rest of us didn’t get much of a look in. That’s where the Armoury Boxing Club steps in. We’ve adopted contemporary ‘White Collar’ boxing from New York and the tradition of the gentlemen boxer from Britain. But city-types and gentlemen aside, you’ve got to love the legend of the underdog who fights his way from ‘the ghetto to glory’. We do and happen to believe that boxing can be harnessed as a source for tremendous good in society. That’s why we partnered with the MylifE Foundation and Visolution Management Consultants to run the MylifE Champions boxing initiative.

The number of youth at risk at in Cape Town is scary. They drop out, lose hope and damage themselves and society. The idea behind the MylifE Champions boxing initiative was to get marginalized youth off the street and into our gym to transform them physically, mentally and emotionally so that they built self esteem and had the hope, courage and conviction to break out of their cycle of self-destruction and regain their place in society.

Boxing reaches youths who at risk in ways that other interventions can’t. To be admired as a ‘fighter’ is appealing. For those who were prepared to commit to our tough training regime and old-fashioned values (such as good sportsmanship, politeness, punctuality and respect), the initiative provided a structured, supervised training programme run by one of our coaches (Aladin Kalwira, who initiated the project) under the overall direction of Steve Burke, owner of the Armoury. Their training progressed until eventually - when they’d proven their commitment and skill, they’d lived our values and kept themselves out of trouble – they were invited to box at an Armoury “Fight Night”. The prospect of the fight, of proving themselves in front of hundreds of cheering supporters, was a tremendous motivation. Their self-esteem increased, they felt more confident, focused and in control. When they boxed at the Fight Night they proclaimed victory over hopelessness. They were transformed from marginalised to magnificent; they were heroes, Champions all.

Then there was more. Four of the lads went on to box with the Armoury team at the Western Province amateur championships and Danwill Manuel (“sevens”) and Danwill Daniels (“six”) both won Silver - champions with the medals to prove it – brilliant!



But perhaps the greatest story is that of Kessy Mkali. Kessy is a refugee from Tanzania who walked pretty much all the way from Dar es Salaam to Cape Town. A shy lad, who hardly spoke English, he arrived penniless and sought refuge with the MylifE foundation where he joined the boxing initiative. Kessy found his passion, came out of his shell and found an easy camaraderie amongst the boxing coaches who took him under their wing. Kessy helped out around the gym until he was given the job of cleaner and, assisted by the Armoury, started English lessons. He has his own place to live, has qualified as a boxing coach, assists in boxing classes and is beginning to train paying clients at the gym. He trains diligently, fights as an amateur boxer and harbours an ambition to turn professional. Kessy’s plight, once hopeless, is full of hope and promise.