Durban - Featherweight boxer and KwaZulu-Natal sportswoman of the year Phiwokuhle Mnguni - who hails from the coal mining town of Dundee - says she wants children from rural towns to know that anything is possible.
The 21-year-old said she first entered the ring when she was 10 and since then has won a gold medal in a competition in Maputo, a bronze at the Commonwealth Games and another bronze at the All Africa Games.
Mnguni became the biggest winner at the 2022 KZN Sport Awards held on Saturday evening at the Durban International Convention Centre.
She walked away with sports personality of the year as well as sportswoman of the year, two coveted awards that netted her R100 000 as well as a vehicle.
The winner of the sportsman of the year was mountain-biker Greg Minnaar.
Mnguni was delighted with her awards.
“I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say. I never expected this. There are many good sports people and athletes. Thank you KZN for voting for me and for appreciating my talent,” said the featherweight boxer on the night.
Mnguni said completing the build on her parent’s home was the number one item on her list of things to do.
She told The Mercury that “family comes first” and her first priority was to assist at home.
“I love my parents very much. In the beginning they were not happy with me being a boxer when I was a young girl, but we have now made a turnaround, they are the ones who encourage me.”
Mnguni said her next goal was to qualify for the Olympic Games.
“My biggest goal is to qualify for the Olympic games, so the next step would be to get to the All Africa Games next year which will help me qualify for the Olympics.”
She said to reach the games she would need sponsors.
“A sponsor is not just important to get to the games - it would also be great to have companies and individuals to develop the gym I train at in rural Dundee.”
Mnguni said there were people along the way that had helped her, including coach Nathi Junior Thusi.
"I want to thank my country for all they have done for me, but mention a few people in particular; Lona Benya for all the support she has given me as my mentor; Hlula Dlala as a promoter for professional boxing he has encouraged me immensely; and also Baba V-Touch Nala for the role he has played,“ she said.
MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture in KZN Amanda Bani-Mapena heaped praise on Mnguni, saying she was an inspiration to many women and young people.
“She has shown that it is all possible. That is why I said in my address that these are the sport stars that have contributed immensely to KwaZulu-Natal sporting culture from which young and aspiring sports people draw inspiration,” said Bani-Mapena.
The awards sought to recognise, celebrate and reward excellence from the province's sporting men and women, to amplify their contribution in carrying the sport sector to stratospheric levels.
Other winners include KZN Chess which won the Innovation Award and Edendale Technical High School, which took home the prize for te School of the Year prize.