Teaching karatekas the art of self defence
A karate and self-defence club, the Yin Yang Martial Arts and Self Defence Studio, was recently established in the city.
POLOKWANE – This dojo is affiliated under the Tokon Shotokan Karate Association under the auspices of head dojo, Shihan Albert Venter.
The head coach of the newly-established Polokwane dojo is the experienced sensei Annatjie de Jager. De Jager says her many years of dedication and passion for karate drive her to give her best to coach the karatekas, and to motivate the learners to strive for success in every aspect of their lives.
“Karate is ideal for children to help them build a positive character and to instil discipline, respect, etiquette, co-ordination, self-control, focus and social skills. It will also teach children that effort is needed to achieve success in anything you would like to accomplish with success,” says de Jager.
She says persons of any age, and even children as young as four, are welcome to attend classes at this karate and self-defence studio.
“This self-defence programme is what I want to offer as a community upliftment project, whereby people get together to learn skills on how to protect themselves when a threatening situation should occur. Not everyone has the aspiration to become a martial artist, but every person should at least have some form of defensive moves that will be able to help them.”
De Jager says she approached the Polokwane Municipality to assist them with premises for these classes for the community, but her attempts were fruitless thus far. She says her studio has continued with classes regardless of not having a proper indoor facility.
“The aim of establishing this studio is to prove that karate and self-defence can be a helpful tool for every person and that it is accessible to all ages and fitness levels. We need the support of the community to help build a better society free from crime, social ills and one where the spirit of Ubuntu lives on,” she said.
They currently train on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 18:00 at the sportscourt in Orient Drive, next to Taxila Secondary School.
“The goal is to educate and empower women and children by offering this programme to residents of Polokwane, Mankweng, Seshego and Westenburg. Any other communities interested are welcome to take part,” she invites.
De Jager is an ex-SAPS member who started her karate career in 1981 with JKA Pietersburg Karate Club under sensei George Love. She obtained her second JKA Karate dan in 2006 under the watchful eye of sensei Johan Roets, who is the president of JKA Karate South Africa. This multiple award-winning karate sensei also has a keen eye for coaching, refereeing and judging karatekas, especially in the JKA karate style.
For more information, contact sensei Annatjie de Jager at 072 860 0472.
