Discipline. A word frequently associated with art: the art of photography; the art of sculpture; the art of painting. Discipline and time are so often synonymous. Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling took four years to complete. When art and discipline are interchanged, there’s an undeniable element of romance tied to the process. Respect and admiration, or at the very least, an appreciation of craftsmanship are afforded. A response which martial arts should demand, too.
Boxing is one of the oldest and most celebrated martial arts of all time. Known as “the sweet science”, the practice has been refined and perfected for thousands of years. It involves so much more than brut force and knowing how to throw a punch. Fighters have to be fierce, tactical and above all — disciplined.
At Pride Fighting Academy in Gardens, one of the best boxers in the world trains and coaches clients.
Vukile Magwaca is a Cape Town-based boxer who was born and raised in East London. He was introduced to the art by his uncle who first took him to the gym at eight-years-old. But what started out as fun quickly evolved into a passion, talent and profession that would change the course of his life forever.
Vukile’s abilities were noticed by others before he noticed them himself. This recognition pushed him into the competitive realm. He moved to Cape Town in 2006 and it was gloves up from there. He was selected to compete in the South African Games in 2008. He brought home a silver medal and an appetite for more. By 2009, he turned professional.
In the space between 2009 and 2018, Vukile claimed belt after belt, title after title. He claimed championship belts for WBF all African, IBO Intercontinental, WBA, International WBF world title, and the IBF international.
The young athlete’s career was heating up. He was set to box in a fight that wouldn’t only feature him on a new level, but had the potential to change his life back home in South Africa. It’s no secret that the winnings offered at major international fights are huge. Vukile planned to buy his mom a home. He was ready to bring back another title for his family.
But in 2018, he was shot in the leg at his home in Khayelitsha. His bones and career shattered with one bullet. His life was defined by boxing, and all those in it dropped him like a racehorse that could no longer run. Friends dispersed, his coaches moved on and sponsors pulled out.
A period of darkness followed. From professional athlete to questioning if he’d ever walk again. Vukile’s mind took a beating. He’d given up on himself, but he had to fight. If not for himself, for his loved ones, his daughter. A champion’s spirit.
A new battle had begun and he looked into coaching as a career. South African ring announcer Devon Currer connected Vukile and Michael (Mike) Mouneimne, head coach and founder of Pride Fighting Academy (PFA).
Vukile is a natural coach. He joined the team at PFA and soon became a favourite amongst clients — his infectious smile and humble nature make it difficult not to love him. It was at PFA that a deeper level of healing started, both mental and physical.
One day between classes Vukile started messing around on a bag, throwing a couple of punches. As when he was eight years old, others noticed his potential before he did. Mike had his eyes wide open. But Vukile was still shut off from the world of boxing. They don’t call it a fight for nothing, right?
Slowly, Mike managed to wiggle his way into Vukile’s clam-shut passion for the art. Vukile still had it. But he needed to realise it for himself all over again.
This really is a story of learning how to walk again. You start by crawling. His new journey began with strengthening his leg. He made good friends with the training bicycle. And Mike made the perfect ‘unofficial’ coach.
The Japanese are renowned for the discipline of pottery. When a creation breaks or cracks, it’s never discarded or thrown away. Rather, broken pieces are put back together with pure gold — a practice called Kintsugi. The result is beautiful. Not only that, they become stronger and more valuable after being broken.
That’s the thing about PFA. Everyone is family and no one gets left behind — broken leg or title fighter. The community at this gym brought Vukile back to life and back to boxing.
Now, a 31-year-old Vukile is in the ring, fighting like an absolute weapon. Bringing his journey full circle, he continues to coach full-time. His next fight is coming up on 22 April in Johannesburg. He’s ready to keep his 23-fights-unbeaten record going strong.
To fight and be a fighter is so often misunderstood. As Vukile emphasises, it’s all about discipline — a concept that’s taught to be practiced in and outside of the gym. Fighting is not about proving who’s boss on the playground. It’s emotion and healing. It’s learning and teaching. It’s time and discipline. It’s art.
This is Vukile Magwaca’s art…
WATCH:
About Pride Fighting Academy:
- Website: pridefightingacademy.com
- Location: 2A Roodehek St, Gardens, Cape Town
- Classes: Beginners right up to advanced practitioners. MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, yoga and more is offered.
- Contact: 082 660 2129 (Mike)
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Pictures: Cape {town} Etc
