05/05/2025
This is a story of triumph and WILL continue being the story of
While visiting the Grassroots Youth Sports Academy in Cape Town, we received the devastating news of a horrific incident involving one of our own. Ongeziwe Poni, a 21-year-old female boxer from Kuyasa, Khayelitsha, was kidnapped and sexually assaulted while returning home from her grandmother’s house after participating in a boxing tournament that weekend.
Despite a case being opened immediately, more than two weeks passed without any arrest. It took the intervention of community members and a GREAT SUPPORT STRUCTURE 🙌🏽 to push for action and finally see an arrest made. We are yet to hear WHY?
Today marks the first court appearance in Ongeziwe’s case. We urge everyone to stand in solidarity with her, to demand justice, to support her recovery, and to say enough is enough.
The alleged ra**st - Siyabulela Zono has no place in our society until justice is realised - 🚨
“That day I was watching little Cwecwe’s story, I didn’t know I was next. I almost died that day, still shocked ba ndisinde njani!? I don’t blame God for putting me in this position, I’m grateful that I’m still alive.”
“I speak up because the next girl deserves to be safe. If my voice can help stop even one attack, then I have to use it. We have to end this.”— Ongeziwe Poni
Let’s show up, raise our voices, and let Ongeziwe know she is not alone. As we talk about Gender Inclusion in Boxing, can we also stand in the forefront of addressing the social ills young women face such as safety in the rise of
SA Boxing Talk Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Boxing South Africa
