The Karate-Zen Cloetesville Dojo recently held its quarterly grading ceremony.
What may look like a line-up of children in white uniforms to some, is to them a rite of passage. It is the flowering of discipline, self-respect and inner mastery.
At Karate-Zen the aim is not to compete but to grow, club founder Garfield Bergstedt explains. “Each student is measured against their own personal progress. The belt is not a trophy; it’s a lived responsibility. It represents how they walk in the world, and not just how they fight. And we ask no fees. This is our gift to the community, built on heritage and human potential.”
The grading system reflects not comparison to others, but development of the individual over their entire martial arts journey.
“Together we are building something greater than sport. We are nurturing a future in which our children are strong not just in body, but in values. We are crafting local leadership. Cloetesville rises and, with it, a new narrative of dignity and community resilience.”
The leadership team congratulated all students who passed their grading and thanked their parents and supporters.
Sessions at Karate-Zen Cloetesville, in Lang Street, are held Monday and Thursday at 17:30. Contact Garfield Bergstedt (shihan) on 072 785 6448 or Marlon Davidse (sensei) on 072 509 7984 for more information.
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