Onalenna Tsae, former North-West University (NWU) boxing team coach and alumna, was elected as the deputy secretary-general (DSG) of the South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO) during its recent annual general meeting.

As a DSG of SANABO, she will be working hand in hand with the organisation’s secretary-general, Liwa Mlokothi. Their main responsibilities will be to organise national championships, report back to the organisation associates and its nine provincial structures, and ensure that the provinces and its associates are functioning well, and host tournaments.

Onalenna says this election is a big step towards greatness. “Ten years ago when I joined boxing I never thought I would reach a level where I get to lead a national body. I am most humbled that my province has shown this much confidence in me by nominating me for this position.”

It all starts here

Onalenna started her boxing journey in 2011 at the NWU. After sustaining a knee injury from playing basketball, she decided that boxing was a better way for her to heal.

In 2015 when the boxing club was without a coach, she stepped in and took the team from one level to the next. In 2018, Onalenna broke barriers by becoming the first female coach to win the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Boxing Championships medal for best coach, and the first female to retain the title in 2019.

She has also been acknowledged as the best coach in the North West Province in 2018 and 2019.

Onalenna was chairperson of the Ngaka Modiri Molema district, provincial secretary of the Open Boxing Federation, and secretary of USSA Boxing.

 Onalenna Tsae, former NWU boxing team coach and alumna, is the deputy secretary-general of the South African National Boxing Organisation.