It is common knowledge that Martial Arts is first and foremost intended to be practiced as a method of proper self-defence against any danger.

However, various forms of Martial Arts have also developed over the years as a popular sport and some of them are now even recognized as Olympic sports codes.

Two of the most popular forms of Martial Arts, Kickboxing and Judo, are part of the curriculum at the Eersterust Kickboxing Club, where special efforts are made to expose the young people and children in this suburb of Pretoria to proper self-defence training.

At the club, members are also coached in regular boxing and members of the club have a choice about which of these three martial arts is their favourite so that they can specialize in it and learn the finer techniques of the art.

The Eersterust Kickboxing Club was set up in 2016 by two experienced men, who specialize in kickboxing in particular.  The big driving force behind the club is sensei Derrick Mawele and he is very well assisted by sensei Rideuaan Kamaar.

Unfortunately, the intervention of the Covid crisis disrupted the club’s activities, as it did with most other sports clubs.

However, the Eersterust Kickboxing Club is back and working hard with their students again. Practice times are weekly from Monday to Thursday from 16:00 in the Eersterust Civic Centre.

According to Kamaar, all interested persons from the age of 6 are welcome to join the club.

Kamaar told Rekord that Eersterust’s social problems are no secret.

“With the activities of this club, we first give the youngsters the opportunity to get out of the streets where all the evils take place. We give them the opportunity to participate positively in a sport that teaches them a lot about hard work and discipline. At the same time, we also offer the girls the opportunity to learn to defend themselves against unwanted elements that may bother them, while the boys again learn to maintain themselves in a community where bullying is a common phenomenon,” Kamaar explained.

Several members of the club recently received Gauteng North colours in kickboxing and six of them qualified to soon represent the province at the national championships in the Western Cape.

Both Kamaar and Mawela appealed to the community and the business sector to consider assisting the club and its members with help or sponsors.

“Any help is welcome. Whether it is sponsors to help the children participating in the SA Championship or even donations of gloves and punching bags. We would appreciate any help,” said Kamaar.

For more details on the club and its operations, contact Derrick Mawele at 081-205-9342

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