Dingaan Thobela’s death digs up his history with the former Miss South Africa Basetsana Kumalo.
The businesswoman opened up about how she was abused while in a relationship with the legendary boxing champion.
In her 2019 memoir, Bassie: My Journey of Hope, Basetsana recounts the abuse suffered at the hands of Dingaan Thobela
She told Power 98.7 that her former boyfriend, Thobela beat her up and once pulled out a gun. He aimed the gun at her head and said “he would kill me” if she tried to leave him.
“I had to tell that part of my life. Gender-based violence is rife in the country. It was very important for me to own that part of my life and give hope that I walked away. The best thing is to seek help, speak to church leaders and speak to relatives.”
“I was a public figure. When I told my parents I knew for sure I had to leave. I knew what love was because my father loved me. If someone says they love you, but they beat you, it just doesn’t add up.”
The former boxing world champion known as “Rose of Soweto” was found dead at his flat in Mayfair, Johannesburg flat on Monday, 29 April after battling an illness.
