Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Every week without fail Vermont Old Age Centre in Hornlee is injected with youthful energy during kickboxing and karate classes that are held there for the area's youth at least twice a week. 

The project, which is the brainchild of Africa Vumazonke, is aimed at promoting a culture of discipline among attending youth as a way to keep them out of mischief and off the streets.

A trained instructor, Vumazonke's karate and mixed martial arts career stretches back over 27 years. He says he was trained by many an instructor over that time, honing his skills and understanding the different techniques, but that he has learnt ten times more since he himself started teaching. "When I was still learning it used to be about mastering the art. Now that I instruct there's a lot more that I'm learning from the students themselves and I continue to learn," says Vumazonke.

The project at the centre caters to over 20 students with ages ranging from six to 29 years, and it has been running for the past two years on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 16:00 until 19:00. Vumazonke works alongside chief instructor Reynard Westraad.

The 36-year-old Vumazonke, who is originally from Uitenhage, is in a partnership and is a project manager for Active Education, a company that shares the same vision and has the same passion as he – developing the youth through sports.

He said growing up martial arts helped him get out of mischief, so he started the dojo (club) to inspire others to do the same, especially the youth. This is where he imparts his love and passion for martial arts and, "most importantly sharing what I have learnt throughout the years to equip the next person with necessary skills and discipline", he says.

Their biggest challenge, Vumazonke says, is the lack of proper equipment for the students who are mainly from disadvantaged backgrounds and cannot afford the safety equipment and kit to help them perform at their best and partake in tournaments.

"Through the support of the community and local businesses we see these students making careers out of this and participating in the annual kickboxing tournament that takes place in the United States. As a matter of fact, some of our students qualified to take part in this tournament last year but due to lack of funds they couldn't afford the trip," explains Vumazonke.

For the learners to qualify for this competition they need to participate in the SWD competition and obtain colours, then go on to the national competition and if they win they obtain national colours. One of their students, the 24-year-old Shedwin Arrlef, was one of the lucky ones who went through all these steps last year.

Youth who are interested in karate and kickboxing are encouraged to join the classes at Vermont Centre.

Africa Vumazonke (far right) and co-instructor Shedwin Arries (far left) with the "karate kids" outside Vermont Old Age Centre.

The project at the centre caters to over 20 students with ages ranging from six to 29 years, and it has been running for the past two years.

Growing up martial arts helped him get out of mischief, so he started the dojo to inspire others to do the same.

Read a previous article here: Keeping youth off the streets, chop by chop

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