Sensei Nwabisa Jiya from Langa in Cape Town has a black belt in karate.
Photo by Lindile Mbontsi
GENERALLY people do not mess with Nwabisa Jiya!
They fear that the 44-year-old mother of one, a black belt
karateka,might unleash a migeri (a type of karate kick) or two against
them.
But, says Nwabisa, people have nothing to fear because karate is a
self-defence sport that teaches discipline.
“I have never had to beat up anyone in the more than 20 years that
I have been doing the sport.
“The major part of karate is that you are taught to be
disciplined.”
Nwabisa, who lives in Langa, Cape Town, said she started doing
karate in 1994 after she was inspired by a movie actress who defended herself
and other people with her karate skills.
“I told myself that is who I wanted to be,” said Nwabisa, who now
holds a black belt in Kyokushin karate.
Today Nwabisa – who works as an administrative assistant – is a
sensei of her own dojo, which is known as Langa Kyokushin Karate and is held at
the Ngwevela Community Hall.
The dojo was established in 2001 and has just over 40 members who
each pay a R20 monthly fee.
“This sport is not about money but more about passion, said
Nwabisa. “Not all my members are able to pay even this R20 fee.
“I just do it because I love it and want to equip youngsters with
the skill.”
Langa Kyokushin Karate is currently preparing for a competition on
Saturday 27 August.
“Other clubs from around Western Cape will be coming to compete
with us here in Langa,” said Nwabisa.
“It will be an exciting opportunity for the youngsters to show
their skills.”
Despite her being a woman karateka and sensei, she says not many
women come for lessons.
“This is sad. I have only five women in my class.
“As women, we need to have some sort of skill in order to be able
to defend ourselves whenever the need arises,” Nwabisa said.
She gives lessons to anyone from the age of five years up, and says
that the earlier people start learning, the better.
