‘It’s great to be back in Africa’: Floyd Mayweather touches down in private jet

US boxing multimillionaire Floyd Mayweather arrived in his private jet in the “motherland” this week, first in Zimbabwe, at the invitation of “Mr Gold” Scott Sakupwanya, before moving on to South Africa where he flew in on Saturday to the beat of traditional Zulu dancing. 

“It is great to be back in Africa. My first stop was Zimbabwe. They embraced [me] with open arms. Every time I am in the motherland, they treat me with respect and show me a lot of love. I'm happy to be back. The tour continues,” Mayweather told adoring fans who waited for him to arrive at Lanseria airport for three hours.

Airport staff, police and journalists crowded the former boxing world champion as he emerged. He was treated to a Zulu dance by a group of youths as onlookers gathered around him to try to capture the moment on their phones. Mayweather raised his fist in appreciation.

He said his “Motherland Tour 2023" to Zimbabwe and South Africa — which included an event at Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday evening with tickets to follow it online costing R300 per person — was meant to inspire young people to follow their dreams.

“I always want to inspire my people and push my people, let them know that they can be great like myself. There is so much great talent in Africa. I want the world to be able to see the next Floyd Mayweather and hopefully, we can find him in Africa,” he said.

He was asked about a fight he had with South African boxer Phillip Ndou in 2003.

“We had an amazing fight. He was a tough fighter and competitor and I was a better man that night. I had a chance to watch three or four exhibition bouts the other day. [I saw] a lot of talent. Hopefully, I can get with my team that is in Africa and we can get together and bring a lot of this talent to Mayweather Promotions ... so that the world can see their talent,” Mayweather said.

After the eight-minute briefing, Mayweather was taken to a Mercedes-Benz Maybach SUV, part of a long convoy of cars waiting for him outside. It included two Rolls-Royces, a Maybach S-class, Lamborghini, Toyota Land Cruiser, BMW X6, police vehicles and three Mercedes-Benz combis.

In Zimbabwe, a convoy of luxury cars branded TMT — The Money Team — ferried him around. Sakupwanya, with chunky gold chains around his neck, was seen waiting excitedly for Mayweather’s arrival on Thursday, declaring to bystanders “the money man” was almost here.

Mayweather, who jetted into Zimbabwe to attend a Zanu-PF rally, waxed lyrical about President Emmerson Mnangagwa. “The president, he’s unbelievable. He’s for the people and I told him he has my support 100%, so we need to vote him back in ... when it’s for a great cause and when it’s for the people.”

The American former boxer thrilled the crowd with a public workout, which included punching and jumping rope. He also watched three matches by Zimbabwe’s budding boxers. “It’s always great to come back to Africa — the motherland. There is nothing like coming back to see my people who embrace with open hearts. I am just happy to be here.”

The visit came after Mayweather and Sakupwanya, probably best known for posing behind wads of cash and gold bars in pictures shared on social media, met in Dubai in May last year. 

Sakupwanya, 43, is regarded as the biggest gold buyer in Zimbabwe and is believed to be a key fundraiser for Mnangagwa ahead of general elections this year. Last year, Mnangagwa awarded Sakupwanya with the Best Gold Buyer of the Year accolade. Sakupwanya is now serving as a Zanu-PF councillor and is also running to be an MP for the ruling party.

Earlier this year, Al Jazeera news channel did an investigation into what it called the “Gold Mafia” in Zimbabwe and South Africa, revealing how gold smuggling was at the centre of a dark economy. In its documentary, Zimbabwe ambassador at large Uebert Angel describes Sakupwanya, who owns Better Brands Jewellery, a huge exporter of gold, as “the biggest gold guy in Zimbabwe”.

— Additional reporting by Reuters, Sharon Mazingaizo