Tongaat’s karate Grandmaster wins 3rd term

Tongaat karate coach Sonny Pillay has been returned as president of Karate South Africa (KSA) for the third consecutive term.

Pillay has been practicing karate since 1968 when he was 17 and is one of the foremost experts on the sport in the country.

He turned to karate during the height of apartheid and his journey towards a non-racial KSA saw him meeting Nelson Mandela and giving him an honorary 10th degree black belt. 

Pillay now holds an 8th Dan qualification which can only be achieved through experience and contribution to the sport.

There is no grading examination that can be taken.

This qualification confers the title of Grandmaster which means he is a high ranking member of the karate community globally, not just in South Africa.

Along with being president of KSA, Pillay is also the current president of the Commonwealth Karate Nations of the World.

The KSA elections brought together delegates from 30 regions in 8 provinces across the country, ensuring that there was proper representation for all areas.

“The newly elected executive for KSA is looking forward to the 2021 season and beyond with renewed enthusiasm despite the pandemic that has engulfed our nation,” said Pillay.