Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been laid to rest in Mdantsane, where hundreds of mourners gathered to say goodbye to the former two-time world boxing champion whose life was cut short in a deadly shooting.
Tete, 38, was buried at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday, 29 August, in a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2 approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa following a request from Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.
His funeral brought together his family, friends, fellow boxers, political leaders and members of the community that watched him rise from Mdantsane to become one of South Africa’s most celebrated fighters.
A champion remembered at home
The funeral procession moved through Mdantsane before mourners gathered at Sisa Dukashe Stadium to honour Tete’s life and career.
The Eastern Cape government described the special provincial funeral as recognition of his contribution to sport and the pride he brought to the province and the country.
Speaking at the funeral, Premier Oscar Mabuyane described Tete as “a son of Mdantsane, a son of the Eastern Cape and a proud South African”.
Mabuyane said the boxer had carried South Africa’s name around the world and inspired young people who dreamed of following in his footsteps.
“There are no words that can fill the space Zolani has left behind,” Mabuyane said, while extending condolences to the Tete family.
Boxer Azinga “Golden Boy” Fuzile also paid tribute to his friend and fellow fighter, remembering the impact Tete had on his own life.
“He played a huge role in my life, I will definitely miss him. My wish is for his legacy to be kept alive,” Fuzile said.
A father before a world champion
While much of Tete’s public life was defined by boxing, his children remembered him as a devoted father.
His son Emihle described the pain of losing his father and thanked him for being a parent, teacher, protector and friend. The family said Tete worked tirelessly to provide for his children and remained present in their lives.
That personal side of the champion was repeatedly highlighted during his final farewell, reminding mourners that behind the belts and international recognition was a father, son, friend and Mdantsane local.
A remarkable boxing legacy
Tete rose from Mdantsane to become a two-weight world champion, winning the IBF junior-bantamweight title in 2014 and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017.
He made boxing history in 2017 when he stopped Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds in Belfast – the fastest knockout in a world-title fight.
His career also included major international fights in countries including Japan and the United Kingdom.
At the time of his death, Tete had been preparing for a return to professional boxing after his four-year suspension ended in July 2026. His planned comeback made his death even more devastating for supporters who believed he still had another chapter to write.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie previously described Tete as “one of the finest fighters” South Africa had produced, saying the country had been robbed of the opportunity to see him return to the ring.
Four suspects arrested as murder case continues
Tete’s funeral came as police investigations into his murder continued.
He was shot dead on 21 August outside his home in NU17, Mdantsane, after armed men wearing balaclavas opened fire on his vehicle. A 27-year-old woman travelling with him was wounded in the attack.
Police initially warned against false reports of arrests, but the investigation quickly produced breakthroughs.
A 22-year-old suspect was arrested on 22 August and formally charged with murder and attempted murder. Three more suspects were arrested the following day, bringing the number of people taken into custody to four. A 30-year-old man who had initially been apprehended was subsequently released and was regarded as a potential witness.
Police have also recovered three firearms believed to be linked to the killing. Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Vuyisile Ncata said investigators were still working to establish where the weapons came from and who owned them.
Authorities have indicated that the suspects may include both people allegedly involved in carrying out the shooting and those who allegedly planned it, while further arrests have not been ruled out.
The accused remain in custody as the legal process continues. The 22-year-old accused, who uses a wheelchair, faces murder and attempted murder charges. A court has also dismissed a request for him to be transferred to hospital.
The arrests have brought some relief to the Tete family, but they have not ended the questions surrounding why the champion was killed and who ultimately ordered the attack.
For Mdantsane, the funeral was therefore both a celebration of an extraordinary sporting life and a painful reminder of a career and life violently cut short.
As the final bell sounded on Tete’s life, his family and boxing fraternity were left with the task of keeping alive the legacy of the fighter known as “Last Born”.
