South Africa and the IBA are ready to honour the country's greatest leader. The inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup arrives at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban. The opening ceremony took place on 15 April and the competition begins today, 17 April.

The organisation is a joint effort between the IBA, the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) and the South African Boxing Organisation (SANABO). The tournament will conclude on 21 April. 12 women's and 13 men's weight categories will be contested.

The boxers met their first opponents after the official draw during the opening ceremony on 15 April. The Mandela African Boxing Cup is named after the anti-apartheid leader and President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Mandela has become a symbol for equality and against racism.

For Mandela, sport was always one of the necessary tools for the building of a better world. He did this with rugby. He used it as a means of integration, transforming those with a cause for hatred into defenders of a national mission. Thanks to Mandela's understanding of the sport, the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in South Africa was an epochal moment. 

He united the then deeply divided country to support its colours and its team. The triumph is remembered as a unique moment in the history of the sport. To win the title, South Africa defeated the giant Jonah Lomu.

It's not rugby this time, but boxing was an important part of Mandela's life. He trained in boxing while in prison in apartheid South Africa and described the sport as "egalitarian" because it allowed people of all backgrounds to compete.

IBA President Umar Kremlev said: "We're delighted to bring the Mandela African Box Cup to the home of the great South African leader, Nelson Mandela. Mr Mandela's message of peace and unity resonated through his commitment to sport. Boxing was a constant positive for him, providing discipline and resilience during his most difficult hours. It is only right that we celebrate this tournament in his memory."

World Championship medallists Alcinda Dos Santos and Rady Gramane of Mozambique are among the stars expected to attend the tournament. The Mandela African Boxing Cup has a prize fund of $500,000 USD. 

Chris Roberts OBE, Secretary General and CEO of the IBA, said: "We are grateful to the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, the African Boxing Confederation and the South African Boxing Organisation for their collaboration in making this fantastic initiative a reality. The boxers taking part in the Mandela African Boxing Cup show the enthusiasm for the sport across the continent."

The tournament is named after "Madiba" with the permission of the Mandela family, who are supporting the competition through the Thembekile Mandela Foundation. The foundation was set up by CEO and Mandela's granddaughter, Ndileka Mandela.

Ndileka Mandela, Founder and CEO of the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, said: "Sport serves as a universal language, bridging gaps between people from diverse backgrounds. During apartheid-era South Africa, boxing emerged as a popular sport choice, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where I grew up."

"It served as a means to level the playing field. Let's unite and pursue our dream of a united Africa relentlessly; don't let the passage of time deter you from achieving your goals", said. 

The inauguration of the Mandela African Boxing Cup coincides with South Africa's commemoration of 30 years of freedom and democracy since the historic election of April 27, 1994.