Phila Yokwe has practised the art of karate from age 8 and has remained very committed to it ever since, says Sensei Ronnie Knott.
He was recently selected to represent the Western Province JKA at the upcoming SA JKA national championships to be held in Gauteng on 28 and 29 July. But Yokwe, who has a brown belt, needs financial assistance to cover the costs of his flight and accommodation.
Knott appeals to the community to assist him and Yokwe and his teammate Siyanthemba Qotyana and Xolani Ngcube (who is supposed to travel with the team as team manager) by donating funds.
A total of 34 students from the JKA Hermanus dojo are among the 79 karateka who will represent the province at the tournament.
“They have trained very hard and deserve this opportunity,” said Knott. “Those who end in the Top 4 of the different divisions at the nationals will go on to represent South Africa at the Indo-Pacific Cup in Mauritius in September.”
Anyone who can assist these fighters can contact Knott, Overberg Karate Federation chairman, on 083 655 4521 or Yokwe on 071 350 1084.
