Countdown to the 2026 IBA Africa Zone 4 Boxing Championships in Namibia, June 15-21
▪️Longest-serving international Thabiso Dlamini leads a strong team of 10 boxers in this year’s Zone 4 Boxing Championships
May 25, 2026
The wait is over. It’s now the fists to do the talking as Eswatini names a formidable national boxing for the IBA Africa Zone 4 Championships in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, from June 15-21.
Katima Mulilo is the capital of the Zambezi Region in Namibia. The charming tourist town is located on the banks of River Zambezi. It’s been picked to host Zone 4 Championships because of its proximity to other Southern African countries some of which can even travel by road.
Announcing the 10 boxers – two women and eight men – heading to Namibia, Eswatini Boxing Association Secretary-General Nkosinathi Dlamini said the regional tournament will serve as a crucial build-up and development platform for Southern African boxers preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
“They’re currently training at Eswatini Fitness Centre in Matsapha next to Police College, all the boxers are in high spirits,” Nkosinathi told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview.
Leading Eswatini’s quest for glory is the longest- serving international boxer Thabiso Dlamini, one of the three medallists in the 2025 Zone 4 event in Maputo retained in the team. He has represented the national team from 2010 and is the face of Eswatini boxing.
Thabiso won a silver medal in last year’s Zone 4 Championships at light-welterweight but has now moved up to welterweight.
Eswatini finished second with five silver and three bronze medals in the 2025 Zone 4 in Maputo with hosts Mozambique retaining the overall title winning 10 gold, five silver and three bronze medals, Botswana placed third 2-2-3, Lesotho 2-2-1 and Seychelles fifth 1-1-0.
In addition to Thabiso, the other two medallists in the Maputo event retained in the Namibia-bound squad are Mandela Cup silver medallist Veliswa “Shotgun” Magaya and light-middleweight Lindelwa Fakudze both of whom won silvers in Maputo 2025 and are the two female boxers picked to do duty in Namibia. Veliswa has moved up from flyweight to featherweight.
Newcomer in the team is middleweight Tsepo Dlakudze who is making his international debut.
Flyweight Lihle Sithole and bantamweight Siboniso Vlakati previously represented the national team in the Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia but have now graduated to the senior team. It will be their first time to take part in an elite tournament.
Light-middleweight Sibonelo Ndzimandze is another long-serving international in the team heading to Katima Mulilo.
Here’s Eswatini’s team heading to Namibia:
1. Lindelwa Fakudze (female ) – 70 kg
2. Veliswa Magaya (female) – 57 kg
3. Lihle Sithole – 51 kg
4. Siboniso Vilakati – 54 kg
5. Mukelo Dlamini – 57 kg
6. Qhawe Gamedze – 60 kg
7. Phelindaba Gamedze – 63.5 kg
8. Thabiso Dlamini – 67 kg
9. Sibonelo Ndzimandze – 71 kg
10. Tsepo Dlakudze 75 kg
Coaches
1. Mbingo Mpendulo head coach
2. Zikalala Douglas assistant coach
Eswatini’s medallists in the 2025 Zone 4 Championships:
Silver
Thabiso Dlamini 63.5kg
Andiswa Sibandze 60kg
Lindelwa Fakudze 70kg w
Veliswa Magaya 54kg w
Nhlanhla Dlamini 51kg
Bronze
Sifiso Ngwenya 71kg
Mpilo Dlamini 57kg
Khayelihle Mkhambela 67kg
Eight countries have so far confirmed participation, according to Zone 4 Secretary-General Taolo Tlouetsile. They are Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia, Seychelles, Comoros, Eswatini and South Africa.
Countries yet to confirm are defending champions Mozambique, Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Photo courtesy Getty Images
