Sensei Mainroad off to Japan

Sensei Mainroad Mkansi is selected to represent South Africa in the world championship in Japan in 2019.

During this two-week journey, the black belt second Dan champion will require funds to finance his trip to Japan and he appeals to businesses and community to help him.

The 39-year-old father of four is also a community builder who teaches karate to children in Olifantsfontein. Mainroad established the Olifantsfontein Dojo to assist children in gaining self-confidence and deal with bullying at schools.

“The sport empowers girls, as well assist with repelling rape attempts and threats made against them. Karate teaches children to defend themselves against knife attacks,” said Mainroad.

When he started his current dojo he issued pamphlets to many Olifantsfontein houses. In six months’ time, Mainroad has produced four champions: Karabo Ntombela, Ntokozo Ntombela, Buhle Zwane and Orelwetse Mashigo.

“Response is good and we need support from parents and the community. I encourage them to come and watch our matches. We need financial assistance because affiliating for competitions is expensive and many of these children cannot afford to pay that money.”

Mainroad ventured into this programme after his stint as a karate coach in Kempton Park under South African chief instructor Hanshi Hans Haupt.

Mainroad’s journey in the sport began as a child in Mpumalanga at Bushbuckridge in Thulamashe when he started doing the sport.

“My brother used to do karate and I would watch him train when I came to visit him in Johannesburg. There wasn’t a dojo in our area and I initially struggled to find a place where I could train,” said Mainroad.

He remembers there was a girl who moved there from Johannesburg and started at his school. She introduced the sport into the school.

“Doris Mabunda was good, she did the sport in Daveyton. What encouraged me to join the karate class was because of being bullied at school and I had to stop that,” said Mainroad.

After matric, he came to Johannesburg where he started training with his brother.

“In 2000, I joined Kyokushin in Pretoria where he earned a yellow belt and a purple belt,” said Mainroad.

One of Mainroad’s students Karabo Ntombela said now he is no-longer bullied at school since he joined the Karate classes.

“At school children used to tease me, saying I cannot do any sport because I am fat. I have proved them wrong. I appreciate what sensei Mainroad is doing for us children,” said Karabo.

Mainroad holds karate titles for South African Championships, Provincial championships and World championships for 2016. In 2013, Mainroad started training at Tenshinkan and graded from purple belt to black belt second Dan.

Brenda Mhlangezana, a parent of one of the students at Mainroad’s dojo, said she is happy that her son has joined the dojo.

“I have seen how my son’s discipline has improved and I am happy he is doing what he likes,” said Mhlangezana.

Another parent Angie Mashigo said Sensei Mainroad is doing a great thing and she encouraged him to continue building his dream.