CAPE TOWN – False Bay Karate Academy will reopen its doors on Tuesday 20 January at “Die Slot” VGK Church on Second Avenue, Grassy Park, marking a new chapter for the Cape Flats martial arts community.
Classes will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 18:00 to 19:00 under the leadership of Shihan Evelyn Jordaan (5th Dan Kyokushin) and Sensei Hilton Jordaan (4th Dan), alongside their collaboration with Shihan Eric Snyders (7th Dan).
The academy enters the new year with renewed purpose following what they describe as their breakthrough year in 2025.
The organisation successfully broke free from systems that limited their growth and secured international recognition through their alignment with the World All Kyokushin Karate Union (WAKKU) under Kancho Kanamura. This move granted international legitimacy to their ranks and created unprecedented opportunities for practitioners of colour on the Cape Flats.
Snyders now holds authority to grade senior instructors locally, eliminating previous barriers that required expensive overseas travel for recognition.
Goals for the new year
The academy has set ambitious goals for the coming year, focusing on expansion through increased travel, tournaments, and higher training standards. Students will be tested physically, mentally, and spiritually as the organisation aims to expose fighters to broader competition and international platforms.
A potential landmark tour to Namibia represents one of the most exciting prospects for this year, demonstrating the academy’s commitment to taking their champions beyond South African borders.
Jordaan stands as the highest-graded female practitioner on the Cape Flats in full-contact karate, while her brother Hilton continues advocating with the Western Cape Government for formal recognition of full-contact karate as a sport.
Despite facing resistance and disputes from established karate hierarchies, the academy remains committed to treating all people fairly.
Their mission focuses on protecting children from political battles while creating opportunities for young people from the Cape Flats. The organisation emphasises developing strong human beings and building champions in life, not just in competition.
As the academy reopens, they carry last year’s momentum of achievements into what they describe as “the year of sharpening the blade”.
You must be logged in to post a comment.