Simamkele Tutsheni, barely 24 and with her birthday just around the corner, lives a life that most wouldn’t dare to dream of, let alone inhabit.
By day, she’s in the thick of it, a firefighter battling blazes in the Western Cape. By night, or rather, whenever the bell sounds, she’s Simamkele Tutsheni, the undefeated boxer, stepping into the ring with a record as clean as a freshly swept canvas.
This isn’t some Hollywood script; this is her gritty, smoke-filled, sweat-drenched reality.
“It’s fun and we help protect the environment,” she states with a matter-of-factness that undersells the sheer bravery of staring down infernos on Table Mountain or facing down raging house fires.
When your day job involves suiting up in heavy gear for weekly fitness tests that break lesser mortals, the perceived pressures of a boxing match start to look a lot less intimidating. For Simamkele Tutsheni, where constant risk and real danger are the norm, the squared circle is just another day at the office, albeit one she’s determined to dominate.
This dual existence, battling blazes and challenging opponents, has forged a spirit undaunted by fear, where constant risk and high stakes are simply part of the job.
On August 9, she goes again, facing Caleigh Swart for the IBO All Africa championship at Emperors Palace.
For Simamkele Tutsheni, the real world’s dangers make the boxing ring a familiar, almost comfortable, arena. This reality means little about boxing frightens her, not when she’s a firefighter in Newlands where the risks are constant and real.
Growing up in Ngqeleni in the Eastern Cape, her athletic journey began on the rugby field. It wasn’t until she moved to Langa in 2016, and four years later stumbled upon a boxing training session at a local station in 2020, that her path irrevocably shifted. “I never knew about it,” she recalls, a hint of surprise still in her voice. Yet, the appeal was immediate and profound: “Being able to protect myself and fight back.”
This nascent desire quickly evolved into a professional ambition: “I wanted to fight legally.”
Her amateur career was brief, consisting of five fights without any championship action, but it laid the groundwork for what was to come. In 2022, she turned professional, and since then, she has been an unstoppable force, notching up seven consecutive wins.
Her record is a testament to her formidable power and unwavering stamina, qualities she identifies as her greatest strengths. “I enjoy it, enjoy making money,” she states simply, a pragmatic outlook that belies the intense dedication behind each victory.
The true measure of her stamina was tested in 2023 during her toughest fight to date against Adidya Mimu, a hard-hitting opponent. “I wouldn’t have reached the sixth round if I didn’t have stamina. So tough,” she admits, the memory of that brutal encounter still vivid. Her ability to endure and overcome in such taxing bouts is a direct result of her rigorous training, which includes sparring with larger, often male, boxers in the gym. This willingness to push herself beyond conventional limits has clearly paid dividends.
Recently, Tutsheni moved into her own home in Wynberg and trains at the professional Blood Sweat and Tears Gym in Sea Point, under the tutelage of Zimbabwean head coach Felix Vengenayi. This shift to a more dedicated environment reflects her escalating ambition.
Her drive extends beyond personal glory
Her drive extends beyond personal glory; it encompasses a broader vision for women’s boxing. She is determined to make a name for herself, and for other women, thriving in a sport still largely dominated by men. The pressure that might cripple other athletes simply doesn’t faze her. “I tell myself there’s only one winner,” she asserts, a mantra that underscores her unwavering confidence. For Tuntsheni, losing doesn’t enter her orbit; she trains to win, and she fights to win, pure and simple.
As she prepares for her upcoming clash against fellow unbeaten boxer Swart, Tutsheni approaches the challenge with respect and strategic insight. She is well aware of Swart’s capabilities, noting, “She can switch hit and was very good in the amateurs.”
The two have common opponents in Anam Xuza and Pamela Mutunga, providing a shared frame of reference that further sharpens Tutsheni’s focus. Yet, despite the magnitude of the fight, anxiety is absent. “I’m not anxious, I’ve faced other unbeaten boxers,” she calmly states, displaying the fortitude of a seasoned champion.
Tutsheni’s perspective on the broader landscape of women’s boxing is refreshingly realistic. While she acknowledges the growth, her immediate focus remains intensely personal. When she enters the ring she’s the one who counts, the one who must get the job done.
Her goal isn’t just about winning money, but about winning, period. “My main goal isn’t to win money, but to win.”
This laser focus is driven by a desire to “stay unbeaten until I’m noticed,” aspiring for the world to “wake up to the standard of SA women’s boxing with good athletes.”
Through it all, her mother Nangamso, who initially opposed her rugby aspirations, now stands as a pillar of support, not only for her boxing career but also for her brave work as a firefighter. She will be ringside on August 9, a testament to the powerful journey of a young woman who has defied expectations and forged an extraordinary path, proving that true champions are born from a fusion of grit, passion, and an unyielding will to win.
The plan is to make her mum prouder than ever.
