Health club there for all

The club is situated at corner Rakoena and Tsupa streets. It moved from its previous location in Reba Street, White City, about eight years ago.

“Apart from typical exercise, I thought of adding other elements.

“So I introduced karate, tae-bo and aerobics, to help those people wishing to lose weight or keep healthy due to illness.

“This seems to have worked, as more women and younger people are coming in,” says coach Maruping Kgeletsane.

He adds that what seems to have boosted attendance at the club is the number of learners who have started showing an interest in exercise.

“Some of these learners from the nearby schools came to ask to join, so I asked for parental consent and they came.

“Training has been good, though I want them to start attending more tournaments so they can represent the club and KwaThema in the regionals, nationals and internationals,” he adds.

One of the young girls who joined the club last year is Mohlatsi Malau (8).

She says she wanted to learn how to defend herself so that she would not be bullied.

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“My mum then suggested this place to me and I came and I love it.

“It is nice and I enjoy the exercises and the routines.

“I started with a white belt and now am already on my second two yellows,” she says.

Malau says she would love to see more girls join the club. Because there aren’t that many girls, she sometimes has to fight the boys.

Tumelo Kgeletsane (11) says he started six months ago and enjoys katas and the routines.

He says his biggest dream is to attend more tournaments so he can get more awards.

Read: Karatekas move up the ladder

The club provides karate classes for children between six and 15 years old, tae-bo for 16- to 18-year-olds, weightlifting for adults and tae-bo for adults.

Classes are held at different times for the various age groups. They take place from Monday to Saturday.

For more information contact coach Kgeletsane on 078 461 7586.