Perpetua Murungweni
An international Professional Boxing judge shone and raised the Zimbabwean flag higher as she was the only Zimbabwean and female judge when she officiated at the African Boxing Union (ABU) tournament held in Pretoria, South Africa last weekend.
Patience Ngubo who hails from Masvingo was among the panel of four judges including three males, two South Africans and one Namibian.
Speaking to TellZim News from South Africa, Ngubo expressed happiness to be among the judges of a predominantly male-dominated panel.
“I am the only Zimbabwean official and l am the only female judge on the panel comprising of three males two from South Africa and one from Namibia.
“I feel honored to be given the opportunity to officiate at such a big event. I am also elated to be one of the judges handling the match. It was a big fight so l had to get everything right,” said Ngubo.
She however said her rise to prominence was not easy for her as she faced a lot of challenges in her career as a judge.
“Usually people are envious about the rise of women in male dominated fields and some speak behind your back that it is either you are connected or you are in intimate relationships with the bosses who call the shots.
“People usually do not believe that a woman can be appointed on merit. In the ring or on the judges table, there is no difference between men and women, it is just business,” she added.
She went on to call other women to get involved in boxing saying the field was not designed for anyone but only requires hard work and determination.
“There is no field that is designed for men or women but it only requires stronger women who are focused and determined. Nothing will stop you, as women we can do it in combat sport. Don’t hesitate to take any role there either as a coach, judge, referee, administrator or athlete. One just needs the requisite training, self-belief and confidence to conquer in the male dominated fields,” she said.
Ngubo said she started professional boxing in October 2021 as a volunteer and trained as a technical Official in Victoria Falls. She registered as a judge with ABU in October 2022 and to date she has officiated at three major professional events.
Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) Masvingo Provincial Coordinator Kudakwashe Tapera said as ZNBWCB Masvingo they were happy to have one of the judges, a woman for that matter being called to represent Masvingo and Zimbabwe at large.
“Given that it’s women’s month, we are honored to have a female judge who has defied all odds to go out there and represent women and Zimbabwe as a nation,” said Tapera.
