Field has contributed to South African karate
South Africans are sent to America for training.
Kwa-Thema – Edward Mtshali (75), a karateka and sensei from Kwa-Thema, is grateful to a pioneer of American shotokan karate, James Field, for his contribution to South African karate.
Field, an eighth-degree black belt, was one of the first four Americans to be certified as instructors. He is also a highly-ranked examiner and judge.
Mtshali said he met Field under the Apartheid regime when black people could not participate in karate.
“After hearing of Field, I organised other karatekas in 1984 to meet him in America, and he was very welcoming to us.
“We have since kept the relationship,” said Mtshali.
According to Mtshali, Field stays in an expensive area. However, he got the South Africans affordable accommodation for the duration of their training.
Mtshali said he regularly sent karatekas to Field in America because he wanted them exposed to karate.
“I want South Africans to have an ‘I can and I will’ mentality, especially after being trained by one of the best senseis, and they should return to South Africa to share the skills with others,” Mtshali said.
Field introduced Mtshali to top Japanese instructors, and Mtshali said that was only because Field was not selfish or greedy.
