Khayelitsha Boxing Academy (KBA), a registered non-profit organization and amateur boxing gym located in Lingelethu West, combines boxing training with mentorship, academic support, and life skills education.
At the heart of Khayelitsha, the local boxing academy does more than just prepare young fighters. It helps children stay in school, using sport as a tool for education, instilling discipline, responsibility, and a sense of community in the boxers.
Olivia Jade Williams, KBA's chairperson, noted that they have created a space where athletes can calmly do their homework. She emphasized that the boxers from this space represent different segments of society, and the academy makes every effort to provide them with mentorship.
According to Williams, the academy has the advantage that most of its coaches and management members live nearby. Since they grew up in Khayelitsha, they possess firsthand experience in solving the various problems the community faces.
She also mentioned that the gym hosts boxers with a wide range of talents, including achievements in sports, academics, and other fields. Williams has repeatedly stressed the importance of education, asserting that boxers need not only physical activity but also personal development.
KBA assists boxers with paperwork for university or college admissions and helps them find employment when necessary. Williams added that the late coach Ayanda 'Ginger' Mapasa helped many boxers complete their university applications, many of whom later returned to KBA after finishing their studies.
Education is one of KBA's key objectives. For a long time, it has been customary at the academy for boxers to openly report their grades, and these reports are often shown to the coaches. Emphasis is then placed on completing homework before training.
Williams noted that some parents are very open about their children's academic difficulties and work together to find the most effective support methods. Usually, when a boxer is in Grade 12 (matriculation), they are not allowed to participate in competitions because the main focus is on completing the school year and submitting applications to educational institutions.
The chairperson also reported that boxers only withdraw due to external pressure in rare cases. The academy insists that giving in to peer pressure may seem like an easy way out now, but it is not a viable way to build a future.
KBA currently relies entirely on sponsorship. Many athletes come from disadvantaged or challenging circumstances and often view the gym as a place where they can feel free and focused while still being children.
Williams stated that their main goal right now is to continue creating a safe space for the athletes by raising funds for transporting boxers to tournaments, as well as for purchasing equipment and gear. Furthermore, the academy strives to provide additional study materials for boxers who use the space to do homework after school, and to provide them with meals when possible.
She constantly reminds the boxers to 'be proud of themselves.' People often feel pressure to meet others' expectations, which leads to disappointment from failing to achieve goals set by others. Williams highlighted the importance of motivating these athletes and explained that they need to compete their best, and even after a loss, they should be proud of their performance and that they did everything possible.
Williams expressed hope that the academy has had a deeper impact on the athletes' lives than the athletes have had on hers. She added that regardless of their difficult and complex backgrounds, these boxers consistently demonstrate resilience, courage, patience, empathy, and love. They taught her that despite any difficulties, they always enter any room with a smile on their face and rejoice in the opportunity to motivate their teammates. Williams concluded that the athletes are more than just boxers; they have become like her own children, and she involves them in all aspects of her life, often providing support 'outside the ring.'
Proteas' fast bowler, Lungie Ngidi, stated that the decisive match for him in the World Test Championship final at Lord's stadium was the main turning point that revived his international career.
Ngidi shared in an exclusive interview with IOL during the Cricket SA (CSA) awards ceremony in Sandton. He noted that all the momentum started precisely when he took three wickets for nine overs and managed to maintain that pace up to the present day.
Before the WTC final in London last June, Ngidi was not a guaranteed player in the squad, and fans and experts actively advocated for the selection of Ntine Olifant Bartman. Nevertheless, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad supported the experienced fast bowler, and the 30-year-old athlete does not regret this decision.
Ngidi explained that the main change was the increase in playing time. He mentioned the coach's words that the more he plays, the better he gets, which was a huge plus for his career. Previously, he lacked time on the field, which led to instability.
Even in the first half of the match at Lord's, Ngidi initially struggled, taking no wickets and conceding 45 runs in eight overs. While Kagiso Rabada (5/51) and Marco Jansen (3/49) dominated the Australian batting, Ngidi managed to change the course of the game in the second half.
He emphasized that Shukri gave him opportunities, and he was able to respond with results, which he believes is a player's duty. Ngidi believes that this decisive match served as a long-awaited boost to his international form. After this, he went to Australia, where he achieved a five-wicket haul, participated in the series in England, and also played in T20, the World Cup, and SA20 in India. He compared this to a snowball effect, where good results lead to new successes.
Ngidi added that in cricket, you often continue to act as you did the day before if the results are positive. This snowball effect, starting with one over at Lord's, changed everything in his career, making it significantly easier than in previous years.
The Australian team is preparing to play a two-match test series on home soil against Bangladesh. Australian cricket has unveiled a squad of 13 players. Well-known athletes such as Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon have returned to the team, where they will now play alongside captain Pat Cummins.
Previously, captain Pat Cummins was absent due to injury, but he has now returned. Before this, Pat Cummins managed to play only one Test match during Ashes 2025-26, while Josh Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes series and could not participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup due to injury. Nevertheless, Hazlewood demonstrated strong form by returning to the RCB squad for IPL 2026, where the team won the trophy twice in a row, and his contribution was significant.
Following the retirement of Usman Khawaja, Travis Head received a promotion and became the opening batsman. Jack Verhodeld will also feature in this series alongside Travis Head. The return of these stars led to some younger players being excluded from the squad. Michael Neeser and Brendan Doggett, who performed excellently in the Ashes, were unable to secure a spot in the team.
Spinner Todd Murphy is also not included in the squad against Bangladesh, although he will train with the team for potential use as a reserve. These three players attracted attention from fans due to their recent performances. Bangladesh is visiting Australia for the first time in 23 years to play a Test series. The first match is scheduled from August 13 to 17 at the Marrira Cricket Grand in Darwin, and the second match will take place from August 22 to 26 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia aims to assert its dominance by winning both matches by a large margin.
Over the history between the two teams, 6 Test matches have been played, with Australia securing 5 victories. Bangladesh managed only one win, which was achieved in a match in Mirpur in 2017. In the ICC Test Championship table, Australia holds a confident first place with 7 wins in 8 matches, while Bangladesh is in fourth place with 2 wins in 4 matches.
