The bell has rung for the last time for long-time Boxing South Africa (BSA) referee Tsatsi Andrew Ncheche, who was laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Friday (19/08).
He died on 14 August after a long illness, having turned 77 in July.
Ncheche, who was Bloemfontein-based, was the only surviving highly experienced referee in the Free State after two revered referees and judges, Sinton Tsekeletsa and Freddie Makhathini, passed away in 2007 and 2019 respectively.
He had also worked with internationally respected boxing referee Alfred “Kid Bassie” Buqwana, who died last year.
Ncheche is regarded as part of the pride and joy of Free State boxing ambassadors. His contribution to sport spans three decades, having served as a sport administrator under the then Bloemfontein City Council. Boxing was Ncheche’s sport of choice, serving as referee and judge in both professional and amateur ranks for the South African National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo).
He represented South Africa at international conventions in America in the 1980s and served in the transformation of boxing in South Africa, resulting in the formation of the current BSA in the early 2000s.
He was one of the representatives of the Free State who worked in boxing commissions with two late sports ministers, Steve Tshwete and Makhenkesi Stofile.
Ncheche’s contribution towards sport includes mentoring those who went on to become administrators.
“He was a true legend of sport, and his achievements cannot be measured against anything. Yet he remained humble despite his achievements. Throughout his life journey, he mentored many who today are leaders in sport,” said Kagisho Lekhela, one of Ncheche’s mentees.
The soft-spoken Ncheche refereed numerous national title fights in South Africa and in the neighbouring countries of Lesotho, Botswana and Namibia.
“Ncheche’s decision-making was never questionable, neither in boxing nor from an administrative point of view. His reasoning process stood out from the rest. Ncheche’s experience and knowledge illustrated his passion for sport,” said Joseph Lenka, boxing trainer.
Ncheche was among the legends that Thabo Manyoni, former executive mayor of the Mangaung Metro, had honoured for their contribution to transforming sport in the province.
