By Thato Motau
MAHIKENG MAIL-MAHIKENG: Mmabana Arts, Culture, Sports Foundation (MACSF) Karatekas who participated in the Inagural International Indo Pacific Tournament held in Mauritius last month received a warm welcome at Mmabana Gymnasium on October 6.
Among the guests were Interim CEO Sipho Nkese, Dr Tumelo Mufhandu, Kgosi Shole, Kgosi Kopano Lekoko with Sensei Dr Badu Mothusi was the Keynote speaker.
“It always seems impossible until it is done,” said Sensei Dr Mothusi who is one of the founders of Karate in the North West Province, quoting Nelson Mandela.
“Thank you for your will and determination that you have displayed, your effort is appreciated. We started to compete internationally in 1986. We travelled to Zambia for the first time and any more countries followed afterwards (Zimbabwe, Germany, France, Italy and many more). I urge you to develop a karate outreach programme, where we are able to train karatekas outside Mmabana. I am available to assist training kids and also urge all the ex-students to volunteer their services,” He added.
Nkese, welcomed all the participants and parents who attended the event. “Welcome back. We appreciate your effort and support.
One of the parents who accompanied the Karatekas to Mauritius Dr Hazel Tumelo Mufhandu said, “I was the only parent who accompanied the kids. It dawned on me that it can only be God, as I was there to support Sensei Kgomotso Motshabi. We need more parents’ representatives who can also travel with the children in future. We travelled very well despite the challenges that we experienced”
Sensei Kgomotso said “It was not easy taking the graduates to Mauritius to represent the country. The Mmabana Foundation Karatekas flew our South African flag very high even though it was really tough and we reached top eight.
“I was taught by Sensei Badu Mothusi, he shaped me to who I am now. We travelled the world and now I am a licenced karate teacher. We appreciate the support that parents give us, they make things easier. In 2024 we are going to Japan and in 2026 we are back to Indo Pacific Games. We need all the support from Parents, the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation and Mmabana Arts, Culture, Sports Foundation”.
“Karate is a form of martial arts and was founded by Gichin Funakoshi which is known as Shotokan Karate-do. The principles of karate are Discipline, be respectful, there is no first attack in karate, Karate stands on the side of justice, first know yourself then others, mentality over technique,” said Sensei Benji Phuti who is also one of the former students of Sensei Mothusi
In closing Kgosi Kopano Lekoko “Mmabana must grow in to the best institution. It has produced a lot of great people within all sporting codes in the past. We want those outreach programme materialise and reach the rural areas of our province.”
“Mmabana is rising from the ashes. We are jealous of what we used to have, our buildings as the province are deteriorating at a fast pace. We urge the province to do better,” said Kgosi Lekoko
