Floyd Mashele

VICE PRESIDENT

Like any other kid growing up in the township back then, you will have to follow a certain sporting code to keep busy. Our township didn’t have much resources for young people to themselves busy. Football, Softball, Athletics, Ballroom Dancing, Choral Music and Karate were amongst the few extramural activities that one could follow and keep busy as a young man. Like any child I would try any sport but not knowing where your talents and passion lies at the time. In 1989 I met a guy called Mxolisi Gobinqca at school and he was also training Karate. As a good friend he invited me to join Sankukai Karate-Do under Sensei Solly Dube. I didn’t hesitate not because I liked Karate, but my new friendship was important at the time. I soon realised that I like the sport and more over the teachings. I was hooked from then. Sempai Mxolisi Gobingca (now Sensei Gobingca) then, took it upon himself that he makes a better Karateka because he could see my seriousness and potential. I grew into the sport and loved it so much such that my character started to change. I became more focused and disciplined. Since Karate was so popular in our township, I would from time to time train in different Dojo’s with different styles, but I got all my grading’s up to 1st Que Brown Belt with Sankukai Karate-Do under Sensei Solly Dube and Shihan Andy Dlanzi. When I completed my secondary education I moved to Pretoria to further my studies. I then joined Kiokyoshin Karate style as it was the popular one being trained at the campus. After completing at school in 1996 I stopped training at any Dojo as I was travelling a lot with work related matters. I lost touch with Karate physically but not mentally. I applied all the Karate teachings in my daily life. In later years I met a colleague (Mr. Brian Mpila) who again invited me to join Karate again. He pursued me for over a year. Eventually I joined his Dojo and met Sensei Mxolisi Gumede. The funny part is that when I was training Karate back in the days in Botleng Township, these were the young guys who would come and watch us and envied to be part of us. I’m glad that they took that path. I’m currently a fulltime member of Delmas Shotokan Karate Dojo. I’m now pursuing a different dream of imparting my knowledge to the young ones.