Veteran boxing promoter Obed Molekwa has announced the death of Daniel “Star Black” Sereme.
“He passed away on Friday,” said Molekwa, adding that the 70-year-old former professional boxer was ill. “Syrem was taken to the hospital in Helen Josef, where he spent two months.
As a fighter, Sereme was trained by Job Sebalo – a teacher by profession – who honed the skills of several fighters including Jerry “Sticker” Mbitse (SA Featherweight Champion) and Bushy Mosoeu – at Black Burn Gym, located in Babedi Hall, Meadowlands District 3, Soweto.
Ceremony was besieged from 1974 to 1985, with 10 wins, five losses and a draw. He established himself as a promising trainer, honing the skills of a number of youngsters including Bongani Mulas, and Pwichpu Mandaue in the same gym where he trained as a fighter.
Mwelase went on to win a gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, before joining Johnny Du Ploy who was responsible for his career in the pro ranks. He is survived by three children.
Sereme’s childhood friend and former stablemate, Erick Pheteo, said: “I worked with him training young fighters, he got sick with his spine which bothered him, we started at Mofolo Clinic and he referred us to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
“He was not satisfied with the treatment there and we took him to Helen Joseph where he underwent successful surgery. But he still could not walk until he died. His death was emotionally draining, and I hoped he would recover.”