Proud judo club vacated its building after 43 years
"Sad, but not broken," says head coach.
The KJK Judo Club’s long and proud history of 43 years in Durban Deep has ended.
While during the early 70s the world experienced chaos such as natural disasters, the Munich Massacre and the Vietnam War to name a few, the KJK Judo Club was born in the deep end of Roodepoort.
Then the year 2013 came, and the club along with its culture, traditions and history had little choice but either to vacate its premises or be evicted.
A letter from Mosterts Inc Attorneys dated 29 October 2013 stamped by a sheriff dated 30 October 2013 clearly states: “We have been instructed to notify you that our client – Dino Properties (Pty) Ltd – hereby terminates the lease agreement with immediate effect, with one calendar month’s written notice to you as required by the common law. You are further hereby given notice to vacate our client’s property on or before 31 January 2014 and to remove all improvements that you erected on the property.” (More details of the letter’s content are given below this story.)
Although this is a sad time for club head coach Danie Bruwer, he said he knew this day would come and that it was not the end of the world.
“We did obtain the rights and arrangement to occupy the building which we erected on the property from the previous owner, DRD Gold Ltd. When the time came we really didn’t have a leg to stand on,” Bruwer explained.
Bruwer also mentioned that the club building was in the process of being demolished to make way for low-cost housing.
Despite the sticky situation and sad day in the club’s history, Bruwer remains positive and says that for the past few years, the area wasn’t the most appropriate and safest place to be in any case.
“The safety of the judoka and the club really became a concern as the area deteriorated over the years.”
The club is now based in the Laerskool Roodekrans school hall.
“We cannot thank the school and its retired principal, Jan Meyer and current principal, Deon Rosseau enough for their support, permission and blessing during our predicament.”
Bruwer further indicated that the club will be based at the school for at least a year and that he is considering Bob van Reenen Stadium as the club’s future home.
• Those interested in lending the club a helping hand in any way can contact Danie Bruwer on 072 685 8441 or email him at kjkjudo@iburst.co.za.
More about the content of the letter:
• “Our client – Dino Properties (Pty) Ltd is the registered owner of the property situated at Durban Roodepoort Deep Estate, which property you are currently occupying.”
• “On 27 August 2012, you (Durban Deep Judo Club) were given written notice that the property had been sold to our client – Dino Properties (Pty) Ltd – and registered in the name of our client. You were further informed that all future rentals were payable to our client. The said verbal lease agreement therefore remained in force. The lease agreement between our client and yourself continued on a month to month basis.”
• “Should you fail to vacate our client’s property on or before the 31st of January 2014, we hold instructions to immediately bring an application in the South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, for your eviction of any person occupying the property through or under you.”
