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A karate master urged stakeholders to help karate restore its place in the country's sporting scene.
In a statement, Shihan Chris Seabelo, from Rustenburg, North West, said that he wanted collaboration between the South African Japan Karate Association (SA JKA) and the North West department of sport, art, culture, and education, as well as ensuring accessibility to training locations such as school halls.
The 53-year-old became the first black South African to attain the seventh Dan black belt in Okinawa (Budokan), Japan, known to be the home of martial arts, last October. He met those requirements in his 42-year involvement in karate.
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The statement explained:
Seabelo said that he wanted to see many black karate lovers follow him and achieve a similar feat.
• He runs the SCM Karate Academy in Rustenburg and has served in many karate structures as a provincial-style head and head coach.
• He has overseen several provincial and national karate events, including the Japanese instructors.
• He currently serves as the SA JKA national director of transformation and development and is the head judge of the JKA North West Provincial Tournament Organisers.
• He is the head instructor of the University of JKA NW and Bafokeng Karate Clubs.
• He conducts “Train the Trainers” in his club/dojo in Phokeng.
• His career achievements include the fifth and sixth black belts, attained in Japan and Thailand.
• He was the first karateka in the NW province to be awarded the Premier’s Sports Man of the Year by former Premier Popo Molefe.
• Awarded Bojanala District Coach of the Year and Bafokeng Nation Sportsperson of the Year. He is the 25-time SA JKA and All Styles Karate champion.
• He scooped a bronze medal at the World Karate Championships in Brazil in 2005. He has attended nine World Karate Instructors seminars in Japan between 2005 and 2017.
• Between 2006 and 2024, he successfully ran the most martial arts programme in 29 villages of the Royal Bafokeng nation. More than 2000 children and youths participated in the programme funded by Royal Bafokeng Sports.
Seabelo further stated that this success benefited the country, province and formerly poor communities, particularly Rustenburg's rural areas and the Royal Bafokeng nation.
“It hasn’t been an easy journey. I had a lot of challenges, particularly with finances, without sponsorship. But I’d like to appeal to the stakeholders to come on board and assist us in getting the sport the recognition it deserves. However, it is not only the financial constraints hampering the progress of karat,” he said.
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In a statement, Seabelo highlighted a lack of community participation and a lack of facilities.
He said:
He added that his accomplishment has had an influence on the community, and many people are beginning to recognise the significance of the journey he took. He also mentioned that he was proud to earn the degree.
“This is an inspiration to the previously disadvantaged karate enthusiasts to believe that the seventh black is not only for certain people or the rich or privileged, but it takes passion and determination,” said Seabelo.
