Kung fu community hero’s martial arts search
CAPE Town’s very own kung fu master, Muhammad Junaid Chafeker – aka MJ Li – has begun what promises to be an intense recruitment process in the search for the next big name in local martial arts.
Chafeker, who has won multiple gold medals at world championships, has embarked on a province-wide campaign which will see him visit more than 50 schools where he plans to teach kung fu free.
“We would like to reach a target of 55 schools over the next few months,” Chafeker said during a two-hour stop at Rocklands Secondary School.
“I’m lucky; this is my 23rd year professionally and I know this is something that I want to share with the youth; my wish is to impart and share my energy with them and – if they get to feel that energy – there is this good interaction that takes place.”
The kung fu champion, who performed in front of the packed school hall yesterday – with pupils, teachers and some parents watching in awe – was happy with the welcome he received. “If this is the reception at every school, I’d be over the moon.”
Chafeker said while all pupils would be welcome, he’d select 10 students from each school whom he would mentor for the next nine months, at no cost to the parents or the school.
Later this year, they will take part in two local competitions, where up to six of them will be chosen to accompany Chafeker to the IKF International Kung Fu Federation in Italy in October.
“I’m in the fortunate position where I do have a few partners that have backed me for this campaign and these are the same partners that will back me when I head to Hong Kong next month to represent South Africa – and hopefully I can defend and retain the gold that I won last year.”
He said his sponsors, which include Winners Supermarket in Lentegeur, Taz Boutique in Gatesville and Lifestyle Fabrics, have been with him since the beginning.
Chafeker said: “I would love to compete (professionally) forever – but I can’t – so I need to start looking at activating training cells where youth can come through the ranks and take up kung fu.
“There could be a world champion right here in Mitchells Plain – that’s highly possible.”
Rocklands Secondary School principal Nigel Pelston commended Chafeker. “I think it’s very good when someone from the community comes to give back. Last week we hosted Irma G, who comes from Mitchels Plain as well. Today she’s on Heart FM.
“The learners take a lesson from people like them as they come from the same community, which is good in terms of discipline. The social environment in Mitchells Plain – not only in Rocklands – is not always conducive to many of our learners who come from areas where they sell drugs and are exposed to dagga and cigarettes.
“So when these heroes, from their own communities, come to speak to them, I think they listen,” Pelston said. –