Sensei Reuben has always had a passion and love for karate
Reuben Makhura (64) is a 3rd Dan black belt champion, Head of Kyokushin-kai Karate in Limpopo and officially appointed as Branch Chief of South Africa by Kancho Shokei Matsui in Japan
POLOKWANE – Trained under Dave Maas of JKA in Pretoria, A.K Ishmail of Kyokushinkai in Durban and Len Burns of Kyokushinkai in Cape Town, Mmathakana, Reuben Makhura (64) is a 3rd Dan black belt champion, Head of Kyokushin-kai Karate in Limpopo and officially appointed as Branch Chief of South Africa by Kancho Shokei Matsui in Japan and also the Director of Kyokushin-kai Karate in Japan.
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Originally from Dalmada and now residing in Seshego Zone 4, Sensei Reuben is very passionate about karate and says he was inspired by physical fitness, self- discipline and self-control, hence he joined the sport.
“Staying far from my trainers I never had the opportunity to compete nationally and internationally, the two tournaments I fought in was the SA Championship of 1977 where I fought representing AECI at the Curries Fontain Sport Development Centre in Durban. The tournament was hosted by Shihan A.K Ishmail. The second one was in Good Hope Centre in Cape Town 1983 SA Championship hosted by Shihan Len Burns, which I both tried my all to excel in,” Reuben said.
Growing up, Sensei Reuben attended primary school at Zaaiplaats Tin Mine Lower Primary School, continued to Letlotlo Higher Primary School and Mohlakaneng High School in Seshego and completed matric in 1975.
He then went to study a diploma in state finance at the University of the North in 1983 and completed the course in 1985, where he also did a diploma in management at Mancosa and completed the course in 2001.
Sensei Reuben hosts three provincial tournament annually, and nationally they host five tournaments annually where he participates in being a referee during these tournaments. “Internationally after four years, there is the World Karate Tournament and fortunately I’m one of the referees in those tournaments,” he added.
He gives advice to aspiring karatekas: “For one to qualify to be a Sensei, one has to obtain a 3rd Dan black belt like I did, which one achieves after he trains for five hours and concludes by fighting 30 man kumite,” he advised. Sensei Reuben has instructors around Limpopo, referred to as ‘Sempai,’ who are working under his supervision at different karate clubs, training karate students who would like to achieve better qualifications to represent our province.
