According to sensei Mandla Mnisi (49) the club started operating at the Faith Mission Church in Tsakane last year October and currently has 18 children and seven adults.
“They focus on the shotokan style and take children from age five and above.
“It was important to start this club as we saw that things happening in the township were not good, so through this we are able to build and keep our young people busy.
“The challenge we face as a sport and club is lack of sponsorship because sometimes we have to go to tournaments, which are held at various locations and at times some parents don’t have the money,” he says.
Mnisi adds that another challenge is that their children also need to be graded to move onto the next level, so they can be on proper karate standards, but this costs money.
“So far about 15 of our children were able to grade last year, which was a great achievement and an exciting time for them.
“It is my dream for the children in this school to be able to go and train in Denmark.
“People who would love to join can come at the Faith Mission Church at the corner of Bengu and Zuma streets, as we train from Monday to Friday: children from 4.30pm to 5.30 pm and adults from 5.30pm to 7.30 pm,” he says.
Parents interested in taking their children to the club can contact Mandla Mnisi on 083 465 3036.
