To develop young boxers from Masiphumelele, Mfuleni and other areas on the Cape Flats, Southpaw Boxing Club in Westlake launched a life-skills programme on Saturday, September 7.

The Power of Perception (POP) Box is a partnership between Southpaw and the film industry’s Jacqueline Sara Jones.

They have started bi-weekly boxing and life skills classes for teenage boys that will run for eight months.

In 1999, Jones created a workbook that soon turned into a social initiative to help teenagers with physical and mental issues.

In February this year, Jones visited Southpaw in Noordhoek for a cardio-boxing session and decided she wanted to get involved.

She said Tyron Lloyd, owner and trainer at Southpaw Boxing, came up with the idea of Pop Box.

“I said I was in. I do cardio boxing myself, I’ve done it for two years. I certainly don’t do this level (of boxing) but I know that cognitively it helped me, it just woke my brain up. The left and right combinations make you feel fabulous,” said Jones.

Jones said her work was recognised by the departments of correctional services and education, after a brief visit to Pollsmoor Correctional Services and schools around Cape Town in 2005.

“It’s level-based life skills. You learn how to communicate and you learn how to talk within yourself as well. I wrote the original in 1999. I studied a lot and did a lot of self-work and I found out the base camp is this… (mental). The workbook is not saying what to do, it tells you what to consider,” she said.

Lloyd said teen boys will take part in the programme every second Saturday of the month, for the next eight months.

“It is a way of giving back to the community. We want to create a culture where we can build boxing from the ground up. This is where it begins, by giving back,” said Lloyd.

Coaches Ashley Whiteboy, Jeremy Jardim and Siyabonga Lupuwana were present at the launch, each expressing their excitement about the initiative, which aims to promote boxing in the province.

The new Western Cape junior lightweight champion, Sikelela Xatasi, stated that with more wins and sponsorships, they will be able to support more teenagers.

“It all starts in the gym. It is not easy for anyone in any community. But it all starts small, with discipline and dedication. Come to the gym and let’s work together,” said Xatasi.

Southpaw Boxing Club’s Sivenathi Nomtayi received a silver medal and the best elite boxer at the Youth and Elite National Men's and Women's Championships in KZN in July. On Saturday morning, Nomtayi, in the centre, had his coaching cap on for the teens. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Sara Jones with the team from Southpaw Boxing, from left, amateur boxers, Sivenathi Nomtayi and Avuyile ‘CJ’ Lumkwana, with the Western Cape junior lightweight champion Sikelela Xatasi and their trainer, Tyron Lloyd, in Westlake. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Well known in Masiphumele, Mfuleni and Mdantsane for producing champions in amateur and professional ranks, Siyabonga Lupuwana’s vision of producing the next generation of boxers aligns with that of Southpaw Boxing Club. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Promising amateur boxer Raiden Bulpin from the southern suburbs. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Ready to make his mark in the amateur ranks, Ryan Mentoor was sweating out steam with professional coach, Ashley Whiteboy, after the launch, at Southpaw in Westlake, on September 7. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Boxer Avuyile Lumkwana on coaching duties during the first Pop Box boxing and life-skills session with young boys in Westlake. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

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Boxing club launches life skills programme for teen boys