Young South African boxers competing in the African Boxing Confederation’s (AFBC’s) Youth Championships in Conakry, Guinea, could not be in better hands. Their team manager is Keorapetse Mashimo, an alumnus of the North-West University (NWU).

Keorapetse completed his BEd degree at the Mahikeng Campus.

A seasoned boxing referee and administrator, he is managing the South African youth men’s and women's boxing team competing in Guinea from 16 to 26 May.

Besides Keorapetse, the team consists of three female and seven male boxers, alongside two coaches.

His appointment as team manager comes shortly after his election as treasurer of the North West Provincial Sports Confederation.

He has been officiating since 2018, and has built a remarkable career in boxing, recently earning the trophy for Best Male Referee and Judge at the 2024 National Youth and Elites Championships in Durban. The event, organised by South African National Boxing Organisation, saw participation from all nine provinces.

Keorapetse contributions to boxing include serving as the spokesperson for the provincial Boxing Federation from 2018 to 2022, the year in which he was elected as its secretary-general.

The AFBC Youth Championships serve as a critical platform for young boxers to showcase their talent and gain international experience, and Keorapetse says being appointed team manager marks a significant milestone in his career in the boxing world.

"This is not just a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the work we are doing to develop boxing talent in the province and beyond.”

Keorapetse Mashimo.