Why ?

The need for sport in all spheres is of utmost importance. It is a foundation in setting a positive trend and a future filled with a fruitful direction of a healthy and happy life for all.

The road ahead !

Having studied since the age of 6years old at“ Nin – Fu Karate Institute ” under the guidance of Sensei Daya Kisten Pillay including various instructors that emanated from the Zenuki Karate Dojo ( famous at the time ) until the age of 17years. I had an ambition that one day I will open my own dojo and teach this art of fighting. Having achieved my 1^st Dan black belt I thought of this as my weapon to persevere my ambition. A few years later (1992 ) with the persuasion of my late father I open my first karate dojo and called it “ Black Dragon Karate S.A.” I chose this name as I thought it to be effective and cool at this time. Having been born in Clairwood and knowing the hardships and poverty that the area had, I maintain to teach whoever wanted to learn this sport without a profit – making motive. I started the dojo at the Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramaniar Temple with 68 students on the first day of recruitment, although a fee of R5.00 per month was requested to meet the rental requested by the Temple, it was not a demand, moreover many poor students who could not at the time afford to join a club found this to be their best form of sport at virtually no costs. I continued teaching what I knew to be the best karate. However I slowly found that as the dojo was growing and students were excelling I needed to further my education and advance on my grade. I contacted a few “elite” karate groupings at the stage, but no one was willing to share their knowledge without getting a commitment to affiliate to them. I decided that my objectives would crumble if I joined them, as we would lose many children in light of membership fees payable. I searched magazines and in 1997 I made contact with “ Shito – Ryu Karatedo Kofukan International ” headed by Japanese Master Keiji Tomiyama, based in England. He visited me and I explained to him the dynamics of our organization and whom I teach. Although Kofukan was an Internationally recognized organization there was no base in Natal, Durban. So Master Tomiyama accepted us in his fold and we accepted being part of a mammoth organization. In 1998, a karate club in Chatsworth library contacted me, as they wanted to join. The founder Instructor was Sensei Jay Naidoo, he left the club to a senior student Earl Pillay as he moved away to Gauteng. So Mr. Pillay joined us. In January 1999, I was asked to teach karate at the Balmandir – Pre – Primary School in Central Town, Prince Edward Street. These lessons were conducted every Saturdays from 14h00 to 15h00pm. In the month of July 1999 I attended the World Shukokai and World Kofukan Karate Championships that was held in Japan. The task was difficult and I had to raise funds in order to realize the opportunity. During my time there I achieved my 2^nd Dan Black Belt and my knowledge was growing and so was our dojo’s, especially the one in Clairwood as these students were growing and participating in various local tournaments. Every year I searched high and low to make the children of our dojo feel proud of their achievements – trophies / medals and certificates was given to them for both their dedication to the sport and as well as to motivate them. In 2000, we were asked to attend the World Junior Championships that was held in Scotland, Edinburgh & Glasgow. We teamed only 4 students ( Tyron Munisami, Sugandree Moodley, Kireshan Moodley and Antionette Ndawo), a team manager ( Rajen Moodley ) and a coach ( Vincent Ramiah ). The year was yet a difficult one as these students was of poor homes and much work in terms of fundraising was held. Uniforms / tracksuits was borne upon themselves. Our students did exceptionally well and did us proud.

I continued inviting many organizations to train with Master Tomiyama. We had the opportunity to visits various countries including Botswana, Zimbabwe, Japan, Malaysia, Scotland, Belgium and London.

Master Tomiyama continued making annual visits to us together with a group in Gauteng/Soweto and this did not come free of charge – we had to pay all expenses, return airfare. Food, hotel, tuition fees, transport, etc. In 2001 was a year that will always stand out for me in particular; this was the year that I produced my first batch of 1^st Dan Black Belts that were graded by Tomiyama Sensei. The following were successfully graded. Tyron / Sugandree / Kireshan / Antionette & Lingum.

Tyron and Sugandree were tasked with teaching karate at the Fairy Glen Pre – School in unit 9, Chatsworth. This club lasted for 2 years and thereafter the school closed down. Lingum was tasked with teaching at Heavanside Community Hall, this was a successful club, unfortunately Lingum had to go to work in Guateng and this was quite difficult to run and after 4 years we closed the club.

In 2001 I made another trip to Japan to further my education, I spent one and a half months traveling all over Japan.

In 2003, it was also an unfortunate incident that occurred between Master Tomiyama and our organization in that whilst he was coming to Durban he was scouting for bigger groups and his principles changed. We had resigned from Kofukan with much disappointment.

In 2004, I persevered to find some instructor that would understand the plight of the poorer people that wanted to learn martial arts and would not impose and merely seek financial gain from us. I met the most profound Japanese Master – Master Sadaaki Sakagami ( see CV ), he summoned me to meet him in Denmark at which he was conducting a seminar. With financial assistance from my late father I traveling to Copenhagen and stay at a dojo, slept on the floor and met Soke ( head of style ) Sakagami. He was ecstatic about my teachings and influence in teaching without profit – making and whilst I was there at a formal meeting, he conferred upon me the title of Chief Technical Instructor and President of Itosu – Ryu Karatedo South Africa. I was issued with a licence to teach the traditional way of Karate and conduct Dan Gradings. We are presently affiliated to him and I hold him in high esteem, as he is an exponent of this fine martial art.

Relocation of venue Clairwood :

Due to the Temple upgrading their hall we was asked to find another venue. We took refuge at the Madressa School. Clairwood unfortunately does not have a community hall and private halls did not want to accommodate us for a lesser tariff. Sport in Clairwood was non – existent except for our Karate club and the area continued to become grey with crime and grime. Being part of the Community Police Forum during this time as the Chairman, I started a Junior Police Forum, one that is recognized as the first start to a Junior/youth Police Forum. I encouraged all the students from our karate club to be part of this. It was a medium to keep them busy and out of the way of the bad elements that was waiting for them on the streets. Madressa School became our headquarters for a few years and we used to have our Junior Police Forum meetings. In 2006, we moved to the Clairwood Tamil Institute due to the Madressa School venue being too small. We remain at this venue and continue striving for perfection of our karate and teaching karate to the marginalized communities.

It is a fact that some students leave without learning much, whilst some leave because of Tertiary education and whilst others leave for their own reasons. Our Club is 17 years this year and there is no bank account, neither are there any funds. All monies collected goes to rentals and back to the students in the form of Trophies/monograms/certificates/ etc. This is sport development at it best.

At Present : 2008 /9

We belong to an World accredited karate grouping, we might not be the biggest organization or most recognized organization, but we continue our policy in making karate affordable. We have also established since 2007 two karate clubs in the Gauteng province at which I make frequent visits to educate the instructors so that they teach in accordance with our prescribed syllabus. Sensei Jay / Sensei Patrick, Sensei Koos Mzizi and Sensei Earl Pillay takes care of teaching karate in Gauteng.

We have been invited this year to participate at the World Karate Itosu – Ryu Championships that shall be held in Malaysia this year. We have identified and nominated 11 students with 3 official representatives ( Myself, Sidney Govindsamy and Maureen Reddy). We are hopeful that our students afford this tour as it is an opportunity not to be missed by any practicing karateka. But I believe that it is achievable and we need to persevere assistance from those that share a mutual understanding of this inspiring sport and those that are learning the Art of Fighting for self motivation.

Sensei Mervyn Reddy