07 May 2017

Multitudes of mourners among them, the Botswana Ambassador to Zimbabwe Lieutenant General Matshwenyego Fisher, on May 6, paid their last respects to the late boxing icon, Herbert ‘The Hitman’ Nkabiti.

Speaker after speaker at the funeral described the late Nkabiti as a visionary leader who did not only want to see boxing grow but also wanted perfection in whatever he laid his hands on.

Nelson Nkabiti, the brother to the deceased, said the young Nkabiti loved boxing and wanted to see the sport growing.

He said as the family, they did not blame anyone for The Hitman’s demise as they appreciated it was God’s will and could have happened to anyone.

He said he was optimistic that his brother’s death would improve the cordial sport working relationship between Botswana, South Africa and other neighbouring countries.

Nelson thanked his brother’s coach Manny Fernandez for his support to the family during the difficult time of losing a loved one.

He further said prior to the fight that resulted in his demise, Nkabiti had a head fracture.

A representative of the Sports Volunteers Movement (SVM), Tapson Mpatane said Nkabiti joined the movement in 2012 as the committee additional member  and while working with him he realised that he was a visionary, gentle and kind character.

He said in Francistown SVM registered 900 members out of which most were recruited by Nkabiti.

He noted that Francistown excelled in hosting the Botswana Games partly because of Nkabiti’s contributions.

The late boxer’s mother, Kerapetse Nkabiti said her son was different from her other sons because he did not forgive easily, was protective over her and was brave as he did not fear confronting anybody but was at the same time respectful.

She said he was God-fearing and loved boxing and she was thankful that Nkabiti died in the field doing what he loved

On the other hand, Fernandez said Nkabiti joined South African professional circuit in 2009 and won 11 fights all by knockouts, lost one and drew in two fights.

He said Nkabiti was an African icon.

Lieutenant General Fisher said he met Nkabiti on April 17 on Easter Monday and he informed him about the South African fight.

He said Nkabiti did not only raise the BDF flag high during his time at the army but also raised that of the country as well as that of the SADC region.

A member of House of Faith Fellowship Church, Joyce Modie said Nkabiti was chairperson of the church’s executive committee and he ensured that all members ran activities according to plan.

Jane Mothoka of the Boikhutso Ward Development said Nkabiti was the chairperson of the committee and it was during his time at the helm of the committee that it managed to raise a lot of funds for development.

A representative of the Francistown BDF Boxing Club, Gaolefufa Othamile said he worked with Nkabiti in 2001 while he was in the army’s artillery wing and in 2002 he joined the club.

Othamile said the same year, Nkabiti represented BDF at the African armies boxing tournament and in 2005 he was selected for the national team.

He noted that despite all his achievements, Nkabiti was always open to constructive criticism and willing to learn and it was through his efforts that a lot of youth were recruited to the club.

A representative of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Mr Motlatsi Molapisi said Nkabiti loved his country and that was proven by his willingness to join politics.

BDF representative, Chaplain Major Tshepo Scotch said Nkabiti worked at the artillery regiment briefly before retiring to join professional boxing.

He said his death was a loss to the nation.

Nkabiti, who was born in March 27, 1981 did his primary in Dipotsana in Kanye, his Junior Certificate at Tlhomo and his senior schooling at Seepapitso in 1997, where he developed passion for boxing.

He became a member of Dinotshe boxing club in 2000 until he was recruited by the BDF in 2001.

Nkabiti was awarded a certificate of honour in 2007 and last year during BOT50 celebrations he was awarded a heroes and makers award of Francistown.

He was also involved in a lot of voluntary charity, philanthropic and youth empowerment works in Francistown.

He was joined in holy matrimony with Tiny Herbert-Nkabiti in 2014 who survives her together with a son, Henry. ENDS