Simangele Hadebe is recognised for her strength in the ring and her commitment to supporting victims of child abuse. As South Africa’s leading female boxer and a survivor of sexual abuse, Hadebe has become a vocal advocate for those without a voice.
“I do believe it’s important to speak out about child abuse and GBV because I know that there are children and women out there who are still being abused and need some encouragement, support, and sometimes a little push to speak out. They must know they are not alone”, she said.
Hadebe shared that she was sexually abused for more than two years, from age seven to nine.
“It was not just sexual abuse. My perpetrator made sure I was the problem child in the house in so many ways. I was bullied, starved, forgotten, and misunderstood. I was sexually, physically, mentally, and emotionally abused.”
Champion Boxer and Child Abuse Survivor, Simangele Hadebe
She does community outreach work as well as works with a children’s home as she looks to break the cycle of violence and help the younger ones in their healing journey. Hadebe says it’s important to ensure children know someone will be able to assist them if they speak out about their abuse.
“I want children to know I am in their corner, and that it was not their fault. I am there to give them hope and show them that life won’t always be hard.”
“I encourage them to speak out to help the next child, and that it’s not right to keep quiet. The perpetrator has the power when you keep quiet. The sin is in the secret of abuse.”
Hadebe highlighted that when children are suffering abuse, it is important that they know they are not the ones in the wrong and that they are the victims in the situation.
“Children have done nothing wrong; kids just want to be kids. When your freedom is taken away as a child, there’s nothing that can bring it back. It’s important for a child to know that someone believes them and is there for them.”
Known for her skill and precision hitting in the ring, Hadebe shared how boxing became a remedy for overcoming and healing from the abuse she suffered as a child.
“Boxing became a therapy in my life and made me find a voice and platform to speak out. It made me realise how much courage I have, and it gave me hope again. I met Colleen McAusland, and through her, I found my voice and the courage to speak.”
As a sportswoman, it’s her duty to empower other women in sport to speak up and share their truth, and create an awareness of the scourge of abuse.
“I would love to inspire them to speak their truth. Tell us their stories because I know there are many who have been through what I’ve been through, if not worse. As sports women, we can join hands and create more awareness and be the voice for the voiceless.”
“We have the platform in sports to speak out. We take our power back when we speak out about our abuse; staying silent and keeping the “secret” gives the perpetrator the power to still control our lives. The truth sets us free.”
The WBO Africa Flyweight title holder says that speaking about formed part of her journey in healing, and it gave her restored self-confidence as she continued to open up and speak out about her abuse.
“I received so much encouragement after speaking out, and it wasn’t my fault when all your life you always thought you were the problem. Sometimes, when something bad happens to you, you tend to think you had some kind of influence when you’ve done nothing wrong but been a child.”
“Speaking out gave me my power back, I found my voice, and through that, others are finding theirs.”
Her advice remains the same, as she believes speaking out is what needs to be done.
“Speak out. You cannot stay in that cage. The only person who has power is you, and the only person who can put an end to it is you, by speaking out.”
“Speak out until someone hears you, don’t give up. Also, the woman or man who sees must never keep quiet, be their voice and support.”
She also continued to highlight the role sport can play for survivors of abuse to release their emotions in a productive and healing way.
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“Sport is a healer. It became my comforter. The rage, anger, and pain I held all these years, Sport listened to me. Sport became my go-to person and made me feel whole. I found a woman in a sport who helped me speak and believed in me. Let’s be that woman for a child and an abused woman.”
Hadebe is of the opinion, like many in South Africa, that Gender Based Violence needs to be declared a national disaster, as women and children need to be protected at all costs.
“GBV is still ongoing. GBV should be declared a national crisis. I am hoping for the best and that things change at the government level and stop child abuse and GBV with more severe punishment. I believe South Africa needs a miracle. We need real men to take a stand for children and women.”
Women for Change, an organisation advocating for meaningful change, has planned a national shutdown on Friday, 21 November 2025. According to the advocacy group’s website, they are “urging women to refrain from all paid and unpaid work in workplaces, universities, and homes, and to spend no money for the entire day to demonstrate the economic and social impact of their absence.”
Main Photo Caption: South Africa’s leading female boxer, Simangele Hadebe, uses her platform as the WBO Africa Flyweight Champion to advocate tirelessly against child abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), striving to break the cycle of violence. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: A survivor of sexual abuse, Simangele Hadebe has leveraged her strength in the ring into packing a punch for those without a voice.
Photo 3 Caption: Hadebe says that boxing became a therapy, helping her process rage and pain, giving her a voice and renewed hope.
Photo 4 Caption: The champ reminds children that they are not at fault, they are not alone, and that someone is in their corner to offer support and hope for a better life.
