An annual institution, the WSKF-SA Instructors Seminar and Black Belt Gala Dinner, took place during the weekend of 24 January 2025. Be My Guest Hotel and Conference Venue played host to the event, where karateka from across South Africa gathered to learn, train, and rub shoulders with like-minded martial artists. The venue was bursting at its seams in testimony to the substantial growth the organisation experiences.
Traditionally, Friday night is Kata Night: attendees were treated to the expertise and wealth of knowledge of Mike Dukas Shihan (8th Dan) as elements of Heian katas were highlighted. The Instructors Seminar aims, amongst various other things, to set the tone for the technical content of WSKF-SA dojos for the year ahead. As such, attention is given to the way in which techniques, rhythm and timing in kata should be taught across the organisation. This year, two advanced katas, Gojushiho Dai and Gankaku, took centre stage. Stephan Steyn Sensei (5th Dan, Steyn Dojo, Potchefstroom) shared his impressions of the kata Gojushiho Dai, while Mike Shihan expounded on the intricacies of Gankaku.
Saturday brought an even larger group of karateka together for a day filled with karate and camaraderie.
Following on from the 2024 directive of the Saiko Shihankai, all karateka who wish to attempt Dan grading, had to present themselves at the Instructors Seminar as a public declaration of their intention. Senior instructors were hereby alerted to these students’ intent to grade and would continue to track these students’ performance and progress and provide strategic feedback in the students’ preparation process. Although this bold move, to step in under the magnifying glass, left a number of students a little ashen-faced, they are commended for their bravery! It is said that “a goal without a date is just a dream” (Milton H. Erickson) – for these karateka the goal is now very real and only 8 short months away…
Training focused largely on Jiyu Ippon Kumite. The vast syllabus requires far more time than what a single day’s sessions can offer.
Yet, even just scratching the surface of this material was beneficial for all karateka who are new to the organisation and everyone else who needed mental refreshers of the complexities of this type of sparring.
Several break-away sessions offered karateka of similar grade levels an opportunity to practice aspects of their next grading syllabi under the watchful eyes of senior karateka who are au feit with the changes in the syllabi.
Responsibility for the logistical arrangements during the Instructors Seminar fell to John van der Sandt Sensei (3rd Dan) and his team of volunteers from Kuro-Obi dojo (Vanderbijlpark) – they did an excellent job!
When training concluded, the AGM was held to address relevant matters for the 2025 calendar year. And then came the time to exchange gi’s for the glitz and glamour of the Gala Dinner…
In the low glow of the early evening light, beautiful ladies in dazzling evening garb, and dapper gentlemen in formal attire arrived to celebrate another successful year for WSKF-SA.
Karateka who have achieved at least their first black belt (Sho Dan) and higher ranks are invited to attend the annual Gala Dinner with their partners. What was a functional karate dojo during the day, in a mere few hours was masterfully transformed into a Japanese-themed night-time wonderland. Full credit belongs to Mrs. Lynette Pretorius and her amazing team of volunteers from the WSKF Karate Vaal dojo (Vereeniging) for the magical metamorphosis.
Dinner guests enjoyed an evening of great food and wine, engaging company and joyful celebration as the organisation reflected on all that had transpired in the preceding year. New dojos were welcomed into the cadre of WSKF, with the hope that they would embrace the ethos of WSKF and truly become part of the family!
A much-anticipated highlight of the evening is always the Awards Ceremony where those who have successfully graded, receive their Japanese certificates. This year (2024) Dan grades were awarded in each of the levels Shodan (1st Dan), Nidan (2nd Dan), Sandan (3rd Dan), Yondan (4th Dan), Godan (5th Dan) and Rokudan (6th Dan) – yet another testimony to the growth in the organisation. [A full photo gallery can be viewed on the Karate in Focus Facebook page].
The coveted “Best Administration” trophy was awarded to Kuro-Obi dojo for their exemplary attention to detail, their prompt and thorough compliance with the Saiko Shihankai’ s requests and the general good business practices they employ in the running of their dojo. Rightfully, the credit was given to the administrative brilliance of Celeste van der Sandt, who is tasked with this responsibility in the dojo.
2025 promises to be an eventful year for WSKF-SA: the line-up of events includes a National Team Challenge (inter-dojo competition), a Dukas-family visit to Japan, and a South Africa Team tour to Japan for the WSKF World Championships in Tokyo.
As the weekend concluded and everyone returned home to step forward into 2025, the call rang out across all of WSKF-SA:
“Onwards and Upwards – Opportunity awaits!”
Photo credits:
WSKF-SA expresses sincere thanks to Mari Laufs of ProPixel8 and to Cobus Nienaber Sensei of Photo Excellence for their selfless and tireless photographic services at the Instructors Seminar and Black Belt Gala Dinner, respectively.