Karate, Friendship and Travel – Adventures in South Africa

Bakkies 60 Gasshuku

​​Sensei Bakkies Laubscher has been practicing karate-do since 1963. To celebrate the remarkable 60-year milestone he organised a three-day Gasshuku (training camp) open to all. Sensei Bakkies is currently ranked 9th dan Goju Ryu and is the most senior student under Higaonna Morio Sensei. Senseis Martin, Louise and Fabio flew to Cape Town a few days early and then collected Sensei George Andrews from the airport. We based ourselves in a lovely guesthouse just south of Stellenbosch but the Spring-time weather was unfortunately on the cold side so we didn’t get a chance to enjoy the outside pool.

​The first day was open to black belts only and the first couple of hours focussed entirely on fundamentals of Goju Ryu training, Junbi Undo and Hojo Undo. It is very rare to practice Hojo Undo at a Gasshuku but Bakkies Sensei had transported ample chi-shi, kongoken and kick shields for everyone. We split into three groups, according to rank, and rotated through the three disciplines. The following day was open to all grades and on the final day the floor filled even further as we were joined by a group of children. Training each day started and finished together as a big group, filling the dojo with energy. Time was allocated for smaller groups based on grade, and the 5th dan and above group moved to a separate hall to make more space. While we covered a lot of ground over the three days, a key theme of the Gasshuku was footwork. Another aspect of training with Bakkies Sensei is the focus on combat, never forgetting that we practice a martial art, not simply a traditional art form.

​The Gasshuku concluded with a Sayonara party at the Beyerskloof Wine Estate. The atmosphere in the room was fantastic, along with wonderful food and wine. The three-course menu included starters of mussels and ravioli and main courses of steak cooked to order and salmon. Following the starters, we were entertained by Bakkies Sensei’s son, an incredible singer and blues guitarist. It was then time for a few speeches. Bakkies Sensei kept his speech fairly short, and then took up his own guitar and played two songs with his son. The original lyrics were powerful and deeply moving. The branding of Beyerskloof includes the slogan ‘A Father & Son Tradition’, so it was clear that the venue hadn’t been chosen by accident. The first day of the Gasshuku included a black belt grading in the afternoon, for those that has been invited. The successful grading candidates were announced at the Sayonara party, to much applause. There were over 100 people in attendance, but Bakkies Sensei took the time to speak in person to many of us, thanking in particular those that had travelled from other countries.

​During the training there had been plenty of opportunities to train with other karate-ka of similar grades, spending time with people that we’ve met at previous events and with many people that we were meeting for the first time. Outside of the dojo we had the pleasure of spending time with our long-time friend and member of the dojo David Wilson. As many will know, David graded to nidan under Sensei George a year ago and very shortly relocated to Tasmania to be closer to his family. At over 80-years old David retains the same determination, zest for life and passion for karate-do for which we admire him so much, something that didn’t go without being noticed by Bakkies Sensei himself.

Lekker Training

​With training in the Western Cape concluded, we boarded a flight to Johannesburg to meet with old friends of Sensei Fabio. You can read more about Sensei Fabio’s training history and his last trip to South Africa in this article. It was time for Sensei Fabio to finally be re-united with Sensei Ché Jagger after this was unfortunately missed on the last occasion. Our hosts Sensei Ché and Sensei Mario Sequeira were equally looking forward to meeting and training with Sensei George, of whom they had heard so much. Although Bakkies Sensei’s 60th anniversary Gasshuku was the main reason for our journey to South Africa it must be noted that Sensei George is himself rapidly approaching the same lifetime achievement of dedication to traditional karate-do.

​We were collected at Lanseria airport by Sensei Mario and after briefly freshening up at our guesthouse, we were taken a short distance to the home of Sensei Ché and his wife Zoe, herself ranked 3rd dan. Following a visit to their dojo, the Goju Ryu Karate Centre, at the rear of the property, we sat down for a braai, with some of the best steak you can imagine. It was wonderful hearing tales of the early days of Goju Ryu coming to the West, initially though South Africa. Stories of the time Sensei George spent with Chinen Teruo Sensei, and later experiences of Ché and Mario of training with Chinen Sensei. Inspirational tales also of Sensei Paul Andrè, Sensei Aubrey Pieterse and the Goju Ryu Karate Centre which was founded in 1977.

​The next morning it was time to focus on the physical aspects of our training, less talk, more sweat. We were joined by Senseis Nic and Kyle Chalmers and over the following hour or so, Sensei George shared his system of San Dan Gi, which he developed from the original two IOGKF drills. This was followed by one of Sensei’s self defence methodologies, four defensive and counter-striking drills protecting from attacks to jodan, chudan and gedan. Sensei Mario took us out for lunch and after a relaxing afternoon we transferred to Sensei Mario’s Palm Court karate dojo for a further hour or two of training, open to a larger group of black belts. Taking pride of place at the front of the dojo was the framed illustration of Chojun Miyagi Sensei, drawn by Sensei Fabio.

​On our final day we were invited to the dojo of Senseis Nic and Kyle, located within their cross-fit business. Further practice of self defence drills, focussing on suri ashi (footwork) and incorporating takedowns to complete the counter attacks. In the evening we returned to Sensei Mario’s dojo, revising some of the drills we had covered in the previous sessions, but with a larger group of students. Our time in Johannesburg concluded as we began, with another braai, this time in Sensei Mario’s garden dojo.

​These two days of training were really nice, or perhaps better described coining the Afrikaans word ‘lekker’. Sharing a passion for our art, training but also sharing stories, food and a beer or two.

​Travel

One of the unexpected benefits of karate training is the opportunity to travel. With karate spread all over the world there are training events held in interesting places to visit and new people to meet. With our time in South Africa coming to an end our group went our separate ways. Sensei George often says that ‘nature is the textbook to life’. ​Sensei Mario took Sensei George to a reservation outside of Johannesburg where he spent a few hours and managed to see a large number of animals. Senseis Martin and Louise went a little further and spent a few days in the Kruger national park. The priority for Sensei Fabio was naturally to spend time with his family.

Acknowledgements

​This was a really special trip, one which we’ll remember for a long time. Thanks to Bakkies Sensei for hosting a fantastic Gasshuku and everyone working behind the scenes. Gratitude to our generous hosts in Johannesburg, Senseis Mario, Ché and their partners, welcoming us into their dojos and homes. Thanks also to Senseis Nic and Kyle for inviting us to their dojo. We were also grateful for the valuable time spent with our instructor, Sensei George. Finally, special thanks to Senseis Malcolm and Tiffany for looking after the club while during this time.