Nujoma Boxing Bonanza to become annual showcase 

The MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy has announced it will be staging the Dr Sam Shafishuna Nujoma Boxing Bonanza as an annual event.

Next year’s edition is expected to take place on either 16 or 23 May at the Windhoek Showgrounds or the Olufuko Centre.

Speaking to Desert FM this week, boxing promoter and academy founder Nestor Tobias said the decision aims to honour Namibia’s founding president and celebrate his role in the liberation struggle.

“Nujoma was not just an ordinary person, he was a special individual, who through his liberation prowess brought freedom and independence to the country,” he said.

“Today we are celebrating what we have because of leaders like Nujoma. We cannot just let him go because we want our children (Gen Z), the millennial generation and the digital natives to know who Sam Nujoma was and what he did for this country,” he said.

“Children must know where they come from. That is why we decided to make this event an annual event to continue talking about leaders like our founding president.”

Tobias said the academy wants Nujoma’s “spirit and legacy to live on”, noting his role as patron of the MTC Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy.

He acknowledged the financial demands of hosting such an event, particularly if it is to be decentralised and rotated across regions.

“We hope that in future we will be able to have this event in the regions so that the young people can watch their heroes in action defending their respective titles,” he said.

“This is going to be the second event in honour of our departed founding president, but come 2026 this event will be better and bigger.”

While the Windhoek Showgrounds and the Olufuko Centre remain preferred venues, Tobias said this could change depending on interest from the regional leadership.

“However, for now we are looking at the Windhoek Showgrounds and Olufuko Centre, because they are the biggest venues in the country,” he said.

“Our budget is going to play a bigger role in determining the venue. We will engage governors, because this is a ‘big national event’ we want to take to the regions.”

He said there is still enough time to decide once the budget is finalised.

As a world-renowned boxing promoter, Tobias said his vision is to attract international interest and participation.

“The idea is to invite anyone in the world to come to Namibia to attend the event, or world-rated boxers to come and be part of this important boxing bonanza on the Namibian calendar,” he said.

“Our boxers will provide competition in defending their titles. As you know, our founding president was the patron of the academy. We want to continue promoting and producing world champions.”

He said the academy will assess world-rated local fighters and potential international opponents to ensure meaningful match-ups.

The long-term goal is to help Namibia’s top boxers climb global rankings and compete for major titles.

“The aim of development is to bring world titles to Namibia, and put Namibia on the world map. I promise to bring top world-rated boxers to put Namibian champions to the ultimate test.”

Tobias said Nujoma consistently highlighted the value of sport, encouraging Namibian athletes to compete at events such as the Africa Games, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

“He believed that through sport, our youth would acquire discipline, resilience, and the values of hard work, ultimately striving to become world champions.”

He said the academy seeks to honour Nujoma not only for his leadership, but also for his “never-give-up attitude, wisdom and his relentless pursuit of a better future for Namibia and her people”.

“This project aims to continue his legacy by promoting sport education and providing healthcare opportunities for all Namibian children.”

Tobias emphasised that boxing generates economic activity across several sectors, including beauty, fitness, medical services, catering and marketing.

“This event surely contributes to the economy,” he said.

The 2026 bonanza will feature some of Namibia’s top-ranked fighters, including Fillipus Nghitumbwa, Paulus Ndjolonimus, Mateus Heita, Harry Simon Jr and Martin Mukungu.

Tobias also highlighted the rising potential of heavyweight boxer Naftali Sheya, whom he described as a future household name.

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