The New Generation SA Tang Soo Do club reflected on 2025 as a year marked by growth, resilience and positive community impact.

Chief instructor Mandlankosi Gobiyeza said the club’s key goals and achievements included expanding membership and increasing participation in four local events sanctioned by the association.

He added that the club recorded steady growth during the year, supported by meaningful youth outreach initiatives.

One impactful programme was the youth anti-bullying workshops, which reached more than 50 children and helped build confidence and self-esteem.

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An unexpected challenge was a funding shortfall for the Regional Championships, which required creative solutions, such as crowdfunding, to ensure continued participation.

“Membership grew from 11 to 18 active members, influenced by post-pandemic recovery and effective social media campaigns,” Gobiyeza said.

“Feedback from students and parents was positive, with students enjoying the fun drills, while parents noted improved focus and discipline, including in school activities.”

Youth engagement programmes reached more than 10 families and strengthened community ties through free trial sessions at the studio.

Student progression remained strong, with advanced belt candidates progressing on schedule. This reflected the club’s stability and development, reinforcing its goal of reaching even more students.

Curriculum updates included introducing adaptive technology and training methods, such as video recordings, for remote learning.

Partner drills proved particularly effective, helping to build teamwork, confidence and practical self-defence skills, which have become a key focus of the club and the association.

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Gobiyeza said the club participated in several major events, including the Combat Tang Soo Do SA Championships in May, the WTSDA Region 14 Championships in October, and the World Championships in July 2024.

Despite funding challenges, the team secured more than 11 medals at the regional champs, with strong preparation contributing to resilience and competitive success.

“Participation in these events enhanced skills and confidence for everyone involved, while medal achievements increased visibility and generated new inquiries, which are still being measured,” he said.

Instructor development also continued, with two new black belt candidates, Malaika Ranthete and Jayden Bustin, joining the association’s elite group and set to receive further recognition.

The chief instructor was invited to participate in the first year of a two-year Master Belt Programme, with 2026 marking the final year of assessment towards achieving a fourth dan belt.

Professional development remained a priority, with instructors certified at a WTSDA seminar and through the Martial Arts South Africa Student Safeguard Programme.

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Gobiyeza said the club aims to develop elite instructors in southern Africa, while meeting international standards and best practices, guided by the core Tang Soo Do values of integrity, perseverance and discipline.

Minor post-event burnout was experienced during the year but was successfully addressed through team-building activities, including the club’s well-known pizza day.

Ongoing challenges include venue costs, member transport and limited funding or partnerships for participation in association events.

“Key lessons learnt highlighted the importance of securing sponsorships, diversifying funding and starting fundraising earlier, ideally six months before major events, such as the World Tang Soo Do Championships,” Gobiyeza said.

Looking ahead, the club aims to achieve more than 25% membership growth while expanding youth outreach programmes and strengthening community engagement.

Future opportunities include corporate wellness programmes and virtual international exchanges, such as business seminars hosted by senior masters.

To achieve these objectives, the club is actively seeking sponsorships for equipment and events, as well as greater media exposure to attract new members. The club extends gratitude to its stakeholders for their ongoing support and commitment.