Bushido-Kazoku celebrates a decade of discipline, family, and growth
From humble beginnings to a thriving community, Bushido-Kazoku marks ten years of shaping lives through traditional Shotokan karate, and the spirit of family that keeps it strong.
Ten years ago, Bushido-Kazoku began with little more than an empty dojo and a dream.
Founded in 2015 as the Rivonia Budo Karate Academy, the school opened its doors without a single member, borrowing students for its first class just to make it look alive.
A decade later, it stands as a testament to persistence, mentorship, and the quiet power of community.
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For instructor Lars Niehaus, this milestone is both personal and shared. “Our journey was never about medals or fanfare; it’s about the people. The children who grow in confidence, the adults who rediscover purpose, and the families who train together and find strength in each other.”
He added that the Bushido-Kazoku, now with branches in Bryanston and Sunninghill, welcomes students as young as four and as old as sixty. “It’s more than a dojo; it’s a gathering place where generations learn, move, and connect.
Even through the pandemic’s disruptions, the team adapted with online classes and unwavering commitment.” Niehaus pointed out that its roots run deep in authentic Japanese Shotokan tradition.
Niehaus trained under some of South Africa’s most respected karate pioneers, including Stan Schmidt and Malcolm Dorfman, the latter still serving as his mentor and guiding influence through the Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF).
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But it’s the school’s family ethos that sets it apart. Classes are affordable and inclusive, taught by instructors who bring, not only decades of experience, but also genuine emotional insight.
“We’ve always said karate isn’t just about technique; it’s about shaping character, humility, discipline, and resilience, qualities that stay with you outside the dojo.”
As Bushido-Kazoku celebrates its tenth anniversary, the dojo is preparing a series of commemorative classes, demonstrations, and community events to honour the milestone. The invitation is open to all, from first-timers to long-lost martial artists.
After all, as Niehaus says, Bushido-Kazoku means: The way of the warrior family, and that’s exactly what they have built, a family, bound not by blood, but by shared spirit.
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