tension. Then there was the young Black Belt who when contacted about attending the ceremony, very nonchalantly asked, "What's an inauguration all about?"

At 18h45 I glanced at a very pensive Shihan Leon whose silence at the 'Shihankai (Senior Council) round table' in the Kancho Selwyn's lounge was enough for me to interpret as: "Can you see why we insist on rehearsals, briefing meetings, emails and attention to detail, some of these Black Belts have no......?"

Yet, I'm glad we experienced the hitches and that we were aware of them, since it keeps us focused and increases our performance levels. It is also an indication that we must always strive for excellence (the quest for zero defect). The space shuttle crews have a simple expression: 'There can be no error. Failure is not an option!' We have set new standards for our inaugurations. It makes us more appreciative of what we have achieved, what the seniors are achieving and the impact that it can have on our respective lives and on the lives of our families.

This Inauguration Ceremony was showcasing a completely new format which required rehearsals and lots of concentration. I was glad we had invited very senior karateka from different organisations with whom we could share the moment. This was showcasing Karate Zen and showing the rest of our colleagues the standards to which we subscribe. I'm sure that they enjoyed the evening and were surely talking positively about it in the days that followed. I was also overjoyed that we had the families of the candidates present to share in their jubilation. After all, they are part of the extended Karate Zen family and in many instances unconditionally find themselves immersed the Black Belt lifestyle.

Excellent news!!!!

Kancho Selwyn Rhoda (7th Dan), Kioshi Eddie du Plessis (7th Dan) and Sempai Agnes van den Berg (2nd Dan) had completed a Black Belt grading on 16 April 2011. The senior grading was of an excellent standard and as the Head of the Master Black Belt Programme. I was overjoyed to announce that, "The bar is continually being raised. All three candidates were successful." They were now being honoured at very special Inauguration Ceremony where they would be promoted to the next level. The event had a very special historical aspect added to it as it would also serve to honour the Chief Instructor by awarding him a very special title and promoting him to the highest grade and position in Karate Zen.

The Ceremony

The ceremony commenced with the Shihankai processing onto the floor as the rest of the Black Belts lined up in their rank order. Shihan Leon welcomed the guests and this was followed by the official bow which heralded the official commencement of the ceremony. The Black Belts are then subjected short training session which is symbolic of nature, as it allows the candidates the final opportunity to train at their existing levels before being promoted. I am quite sure that they reflected diligently about the years it has taken for them to progress to the next level.

The titles
This was followed by the conferring of titles as decided by the Shihankai.

1. Johan Roux was awarded the title of Kaiso (Founder of the organisation).
2. The official title of Shihan (Master) was awarded to Billy Chellan (5th Dan) and Arnold Jeneke (5th Dan).
3. The title of Renshi (Senior Expert Master) was conferred on Leon Beech (6th Dan) and Colin Isaacs (6th Dan).

Extract from the grading

As part of the programme, the candidates were required to perform an extract from their grading.

1. Sempai Agnes van den Berg, together with a team of four Black Belts, performed Seiyunchin as a team kata. At the age of 73 years, Sempai Agnes is Karate Zen's oldest student. She commenced her karate training with Karate Do in 1975. She then joined Karate Zen in 1987. Though senior in years, she remains a committed student, who continues to give of her best at every training session.
2. Kioshi Eddie presented Shisoshin as a team kata together with the bunkai (application of the techniques). . At 61 years of age, Kioshi Eddie demonstrated his years of experience and ability to effectively perform an excellent kata.
   
   Kioshi Eddie is a Rokudan (7th Dan) who commenced his karate career with Karate Do in 1975. In 1980 he was a co-founder member of Karate Zen. During his competitive years he was awarded medals for both Kata and Kumite at Black belt level. He established his own dojo in 1986 and has taught an average of 20 students per annum over the last 25 years.
   
   Presently, he is the Chief Referee for Karate Zen SA. He is a qualified Kata and Kumite referee for KAWP (Karate Association of Western Province); All Styles (KSA) (Karate Association of South Africa) and Zone 6. In 2010 he qualified as a UFAK (United Federation of African Karate) Kumite referee.
   
   Kioshi Eddie now heads up the demanding the portfolio of 'Development of Referees and Judges for Karate Zen SA'.
3. Kancho Selwyn Rhoda presented a new version of Seisan Kata together with the advanced bunkai, thus justifying its implementation in the syllabus. This was followed by a demonstration of advanced bunkai of another senior kata. This is linked to the Chief Instructor's vision for KZ as the grading panel had emphasized the importance for the leadership to be absolutely clear about Karate Zen's future. The role out plan for Karate Zen's future will form part of the Master Class presentations. Exciting!!!
   
   It was pure pleasure to watch a MASTER in action as he made everything look so easy by demonstrating amazing agility, speed, power, control and grace. This simply amazed me as the standard exceeded my expectation. I can surely say with conviction that this was history in the making as I witnessed one of the best in the country at his level.
   
   Kancho Selwyn Rhoda (7th Dan) who commenced his karate career as a junior with Karate Do in 1974. In 1980 he continued his karate with the newly-established Karate Zen. In 1998 he decided to change his life-style in order to pursue his dream of becoming a fulltime karate instructor and accepted the position, as the Chief Instructor of Karate Zen.
   
   To date, he boasts impressive list of sport karate achievements as an official. He holds Provincial, National, Continental and International referees qualifications, which includes his appointment as Chief Referee for WP and KSA for 15 years.
   
   He has trained with various South African Karate Instructors including Peter Brandon; Jannie le Grange; Stan Smidt; Nicky Pillay and Chris Thompson, as well as the Chief Instructors of the JKF for Goju Ryu; Wado Ryu; Shito Ryu and Shotokan.
   
   As a humble, but yet inspiring leader, Kancho Selwyn has secured a home for Karate Zen by purchasing the Honbu Dojo property. By doing this, he will continue to fulfil his vision for the organisation and place Karate Zen amongst the best on the continent.

The certification and promotions

This was probably the highlight of the ceremony.

1. Sempai Agnes van den Berg was awarded her certificate and promoted to Sandan (3rd Dan).
2. Kioshi Eddie du Plessis was awarded his certificate, a new belt as well as the title of Kyoshi (Master Teacher) and was promoted to Nanadan (7th Dan) .
3. Kancho Selwyn Rhoda was awarded his certificate, a new belt with the title of Kancho (Master of the house/ owner of the dojo) and was promoted to Nanadan (7th Dan).

The newly awarded Black Belts were then placed in their new rank positions.

Final bow

The class ended with the final bow and a vote of thanks by Renshi Leon Beech.

The social

We were all able to enjoy a wonderful social. I would be failing if I did not mention Lizelle's fantastic catering and attention to detail

I'm sure that every Black Belt felt extremely proud, nostalgic and emotional as we witnessed our Chief Instructor and two senior students, who have spent the better part of their lives experiencing life and finding solace in the 'way of the empty hand' being honoured.

And so as we struggle to understand and get our tongues around the new titles of Kaiso, Kancho, Renshi, together with Shihan, Sensei, Sempai and Kohai, I look forward to the continued growth and progress of one of the country's leading karate organisations.

Karate Zen remains proud!!!

Heading for Namibia
(6th April 2011)

It was 18h30. Shihan Leon Beech (the official tour manager) was doing a last-minute check to see that everyone had brought along their necessary travel documents. I was very excited as this was my very first trip to Namibia. I sensed a similar excitement coming from the sixty-two strong group of parents, children and senior karateka who were boarding a luxury coach. We were about to depart to the Karate Zen Namibian Open Tournament which would be held in Windhoek, Namibia.

At 18h50 the bus edged its way out of the parking area and headed for the N7 as we nestled into our seats and made ourselves comfortable. After all, this would be home for the next eighteen hours. Most of the children

occupied themselves with their 'state of the art cellphones'. There was also no shortage of food, as everyone tucked into their supper.

Our first stop was at a small town called Klawer. Shihan Leon was very strict about adhering to time. His plan was to get to the border by 03h00. We quickly learnt that when he said that we were stopping for twenty minutes, he didn't mean twenty-one. Our next stop was Springbok. I was somewhat disappointed that it was in the middle of the night because I wanted to see the place. The air was warm and we encountered large locusts fluttering around everywhere.

We eventually reached the border at about 03h00. The whole process around passports, contact numbers of family members, letters of consent for the children travelling alone and the completion official forms for each person took four long hours.

In Namibia

(7th April 2011) By 07h00 we were on our way again. We had crossed the border into Namibia. The children were oblivious to the fact that we had also crossed the mighty Orange River because all of this had happened in the dead of night.

Contrary to what I've heard about a boring journey, I was fascinated with the changing vegetation and landscape as the bus steadily travelled through towns like Keetmanshoop, Mariental and Rehoboth towards Windhoek.

The landscape for the greater part of the journey from the border to Windhoek consisted of mesas and buttes. These landforms have a characteristic shape - flat top and cliff like sides - which is due to the layers of rock forming them.

The other fascinating landform was the spitzkop. The Spitzkoppe, is a group of bald granite peaks located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert. The formations stand out dramatically from the flat surrounding plains.

Despite the somewhat claustrophobic travelling conditions, the atmosphere aboard the bus was jovial. In fact everyone coped very well with the tiring journey. The bus was equipped with two television sets which were conveniently mounted to allow the passengers easy viewing. Byron Johannes (one of the cadets in the team) was armed with a variety of CD movies which helped to pass the time.

We arrived at our destination at 18h00 the Thursday evening and were accommodated at the Gammams Technical hostel. The area was named after the Gammams River and is approximately 10 minutes drive from Windhoek central. I don't think anyone noticed, but we were staying opposite a cemetery. The Gammams Cemetery was used from 1904. Some members of the Herero community were buried there as a result of the Herero uprisings against the Germans in 1904

I found it quite amusing that the spelling of Gammams at the cemetery differed from the spelling of the same word on the hostel signboard. The two signboards were positioned opposite each other on different sides of the road. I don't think anyone else noticed though.

By 19h30 everyone was settled in their rooms and we met for supper in the communal mess. Kancho Selwyn and Lizelle flew to Windhoek to join the group. The long stop at the border had extended the travelling time to 23 hours. While the adults were exhausted by the journey, the children seemed untiring and were determined to be up all evening despite several warnings to retire to bed. I was told that some of their excitement only ended at 04h00 the following morning.

The Friday

(8 April 2011) Breakfast was served at 07h00. We had a long day ahead. After breakfast, Kancho Selwyn and Lizelle were kind enough to equip everyone with a black Karate Zen South Africa/Namibia golf shirt. This would serve as a fitting memento of our time spent in Namibia.

We were scheduled for a 'game drive' that morning. This would be another first for me. The very beautiful game farm was approximately 20 minutes from Gammams. On the farm we boarded four different Safari Land Cruiser vehicles with special open-air seating to accommodate the whole group. These vehicles were built to negotiate rough terrain. For two hours we travelled through riverbeds, along firebreaks and through long savannah-type grasslands viewing a variety of wildlife. At one stage we found ourselves within touching distance of five white rhino who ventured right up to the vehicle as part of their feeding routine. Everyone found the game drive fascinating. The two hours seemed to fly as we were immersed in a real safari environment. Personally, I had never been that close to a lion. Our cameras snapped away relentlessly as we tried to capture all the wild life.

We returned to a huge shopping mall in Central Windhoek. This allowed everyone the time to walk around and engage in a shopping expedition. While this was taking place, the senior leadership met with the deputy minister for sport in Namibia. This was a very important strategic move for Karate Zen Namibia, as it afforded them a tremendous amount of exposure. The meeting was also televised on the Namibia Television News that very evening.

The Namibian Karate Zen Open Tournament

(9 April 2011) I arose at 04h00. I had forgotten that Namibia is in West Africa Time Zone (WAT). Namibia is exactly one hour ahead of South Africa in the winter months, from April to September, and two hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) from October to March. By 06h00 we were all packed and ready to travel to the tournament venue at the University of Namibia sports complex. The plan was to depart for South Africa directly from the tournament.

We arrived at the venue at 07h30. Also in attendance and participating in the tournament, was a contingent of six senior athletes from Angola who were currently studying at the University of Namibia.

They were supported by two senior Angolan karate officials, one of whom was the President of the Angolan Karate Federation. Again, this was all helping to showcase the profile of Karate Zen Namibia as the event now featured three different countries. The deputy minister for sport, with whom we had met and had discussions on the previous day, was true to his word as he had made a special effort to attend the tournament.

The event commenced with the normal opening speeches as well as a presentation of a 6th Dan (Rokudan) grade to the Chief Instructor of Namibia, Gert Husselmann. In his keynote address, the deputy minister of sport focussed on the importance of sport as nation-building for different countries especially in times where countries were experiencing political tension and strained relationships.

Once the tournament was underway there was a good spirit of rivalry amongst the competitors. The South African team was far too experienced for the other teams, but this at least allowed for growth and development at all levels. Towards the end of the day our Namibian hosts laid on a braai for their South African and Angolan opponents. This was most welcome.

During the course of the day the South African leadership was also able to have an important meeting with the Namibian Chief Instructor and the President of Karate Zen Namibia. At the meeting it was decided that the tournament would become an annual event with an open invitation to Angola.

Homeward bound

At 18h00 we were all boarded the bus for the return journey to South Africa.

By 03h00 we were at the border. The locusts were back in mass to greet us. The temperature at that ungodly hour was 26 degrees. This time the crossing was done in record time. We were prepared as we had completed most of the documentation in advance. Within an hour and a half we were back on the road. As the sun rose on Sunday morning the sleeping passengers were awakened to the strains of a Jimmy Swaggart DVD.

The stops were brief. The journey home always seemed much quicker. Once again I tried to take in as much as I could of the changing vegetation and landscape. At 14h30 we were greeted with a view of Table Mountain and Table Bay. This was an instant indication for everyone to suddenly start gathering their belongings.

At 14h45 the bus pulled into the Goodwood parking area, 15 minutes ahead of schedule. We had spent s an exciting and very successful four days in Namibia. I trust 2012 will be even more exciting. In fact, I know it will. I have already booked my seat.

08/03/2003 Karate-Zen Open Challenge took place at Athlone Technical College. In the senior Female division, Kumite was won by Keshia Sawyer and Kata by Tarryn Steenveld. In the Male category Kumite was won by Jeffery Jackson and Kata by Llewellyn Rhoda.

31/03/2003 The Children's Gushuku took place at Apostle Battery, Llandudno.

05/04/2003 Our 40th Black Belt grading which took place at Honbu dojo, Goodwood, Sempai Tarryn Steenveld was graded to Shodan. At our Junior Black Belt grading, Hadley Lewis was graded to Junior Nidan and Darryl Beukes, Alridge Noble and Heinrich Qguma to Junior Shodan.

23/04/2003 The following students receive Provincial Referee Qualifications :- Kumite Judge :- Stanley Pepper, Judy Pepper, Keshia Sawyer and Tarryn Steenveld. Kumite Referee:- Llewellyn Rhoda and Lee Oppel. Kata Judge A - John Daniels. Judge B Gavin Philander, Faiz Toefy and Helen Scheepers.

26//04/2003 The Karate Association of Western Province children's championship took place and the following medals was won by Karate-Zen:- 16 Gold, 14 Silver and 24 bronze.

03/05/2003 Karate-Zen hosted it's National Championships and in the Senior female division Sempai Tarryn Steenveld won the kata and Sempai Katrina Dawood the kumite event. Sempai Llewellyn Rhoda won both the senior male kata and kumite events.

11/05/2003 Kancho Selwyn Rhoda conducted the first Black Belt grading in Namibia. Sensei Freddie Mwiya was graded to Sandan and Sempai Ellison Kura to Nidan.

24/05/2003 The Karate Association of Western Province held it's Cadet, Junior and Senior Tournament. Karate-Zen won a total of 18 gold, 11silver and 16 bronze medals.

07/06/2003 The Western Province development tournament took place and the Karate-Zen development team won 15 gold, 15 silver and 15 bronze medals.

05/07/2003 The South African senior trials to select a team for the All African Games took place at Athlone Technical College and the following athletes won their divisions:- Tarryn Steenveld, Desmond Lakay, Llewellyn Rhoda and Jeffery Jackson.

25/07/2003 The South African Cadet & Junior Championship took place in Port Elizabeth and the Karate-Zen athletes won a total of 19 medals. Gold was brought home by Wendy Xorile, Keshia Sawyer, Agmat Sedan, Jermaine Pepper, Llewellyn Rhoda as well as the unison team kata of Lindsay Oppel, Megan Stevens and Keshia Sawyer.