The Joza Karate Club have something special.
Between Monday and Thursday every week, around 70 boys and girls, men and women come to learn and practise karate under the guidance of Sensei Mzwandile Matebese in Joza’s Extension 9 Community Hall.
The Joza Karate Club have something special.
Between Monday and Thursday every week, around 70 boys and girls, men and women come to learn and practise karate under the guidance of Sensei Mzwandile Matebese in Joza’s Extension 9 Community Hall.
Passionate and hard-working in their practice of karate-do the club caters for karatekas across a range of age, gender and ability.
This week Sensei Gary Grapentin, of the East Cape Shotokan-Ryu, alerted the Grahamstown karate community to the plight of the team from the Joza dojo selected to compete in a tournament at the Fish River Sun next weekend.
The Joza club were dealt a disappointing blow when at short notice they learned that the transport they usually have access to would not be available and Grapentin appealed for members of the Hill Street dojo to help by offering lifts.
Several families came forward, as well as a member of the dojo who donated R1 000 towards the hire of transport.
This weekend, Matebese said of the 25 karatekas going to the event from the Joza club, 11 are now catered for in terms of transport.
For the remaining 14, the club has been quoted a taxi fare of R120 return per person for each day. There are two days of competition (Friday 18 and Saturday 19 March) and so the total is R3 360. Subtract the R1000 donation already received and the club needs R 2 360 to get their team to the Fish River Sun venue.
Any assistance from the Grahamstown public would be greatly appreciated, says Matebese.
“Our students are looking forward to compete in next week’s event. Even today we had a good three-hour session preparing ourselves,” he said on Saturday.
If you’d like to help, you can contact Mzwandile Matebese directly (082 536 5290) or leave your donation at the Grocott’s Mail offices at 100 High Street. Ask for Nettie, who will record your name and contact details, and the amount you’re contributing.
