Another accolade for Eksteen’s devotion to martial arts
Karate students from the Eksteen Bushido Freestyle Karate Do Institute recently held their 16th annual prize-giving ceremony at the organizations Dojo here in the city.
Tenth Dan Grandmaster Henri Eksteen was accepted into the legendary Kizuna Brotherhood of the United Kingdom. Here is a proud Eksteen with Sensei Annatjie de Jager (dojo head assistant) with his recognition of the Kizuna, The Brotherhood of Budo award.
POLOKWANE – The highlight of this event was when the Soke of this karate institute and tenth dan Grandmaster, Henri Eksteen, was recently accepted into the legendary Kizuna Brotherhood of the United Kingdom.
This prestigious award was officially issued to Eksteen, the only South African or anyone on the African continent, to be accepted into this unique hand-picked brotherhood of Martial Arts practitioners globally.
Eksteen’s rank within the Kizuna is Ni Shakei, meaning the second elder brother with six years devotion to the brotherhood. This brotherhood was established in 1969 by the late British father of karate, Grandmaster Ronnie Colwell, who passed away two years ago at the age of 83, according to Eksteen.
Eksteen was appointed in 2010 by Grandmaster Colwell as the official delegate to the World Kobukan Federation and Kizuna for South Africa.
The Kizuna Creed, with its unique martial arts practitioners in the spirit of Budo, dates back as early as 1969 and was stamped on to the walls of the legendary Tagus Street Dojo in Liverpool.
The wording of the late founder was: “We cannot affect how the world chooses to treat each other, but we can affect how we treat each other. Respect. Honesty. Dignity.”
Sensei Annatjie de Jager (right) receives her well-deserved fifth degree black belt from Soke Henri Eksteen (tenth dan), Founder and World President of World Kobukan Federation and Kizuna for South Africa. De Jager also received the title status Renshi, meaning Polished Master, for all the years of untiring devotion and dedication she has given towards this ancient martial arts style, and especially within Eksteen’s dojo.
Lesego Rammutla received the most awards for 2016. The awards are for a 100 % class attendance, a 100 % in Gashuku attendance, the Soke Henri Eksteen Best Overall Karateka of the Year, the Best Family Participation award and for the Special Overall Performance 2016.
Jeremiah Nkuna is the Best Beginner Karateka (Pee Wee) of the Year.
Here are all the 100 % Gashuku participants who participated in between ten and 14 karate training camps held throughout 2016. The award is The Marx 100 % Gashuku Trophy. The karate students are Edward Makobela, Abram Makobela, Ethan Bell, Cian Brink, Cade Brink, Drikus Liebenberg, Lesego Rammutla and Stephen Andrew.
Fazlin Jardien is awarded the Best Senior Karateka of the Year.
The karate students who attended the 16th anniversary of the prize-giving ceremony from Eksteen’s Bushido Freestyle Karate Do Institute pose proudly on the mat.
Lehlogonolo Mashishi, is the Best Junior Karateka of the Year.
