Macbute Sinyabi used to captivate the crowd with his impeccable boxing skills, but he has now ventured into another campaign to help finance shoes by means of a charity run.
A former national junior featherweight and featherweight champion, Sinyabi ruled boxing with an iron fist, recording the most crippling knockouts ever seen in a South African boxing ring.
Since retiring from boxing, the Mdantsane hero has decided to plough back into the community by raising funds to buy 200 pairs of shoes for underprivileged township schoolchildren.
“The parents of these kids used to support me during my boxing career and now it is my turn to return the favour,” he said.
Now an entrepreneur, Sinyabi has teamed up with three business friends to launch the charity run consisting of various distances in Zwelitsha on Saturday morning.
The standard distances are 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km.
“The finish will be at Fikile Bhengu Higher Primary School in NU12 Mdantsane,” he said.
The school is one of four that will benefit from the event; the others are Londolozani, Luzuko and Shed Mashologu, all in NU11.
Run under a blue-and-white theme and the auspices of Khulani Athletic Club, the race is expected to attract scores of runners including those from top East London running clubs.
Surprisingly, entrance is free, with the organisers hoping people will join to support the good cause.
“We do not want to charge an entrance fee but we hope that businesses will join and support this noble cause.
“Some people may see this as a small thing but it will mean a lot to these kids to have new school shoes.
“I know. I was once in the same situation and I appreciated everything I could get to be able to go to school.”
The 42km-run will start at 5am close to the traffic lights near Zwelitsha police station, with the other distances following at various intervals.
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