Karate gold by correspondence

EDUCATION lecturer Dr Sadhana Manik, who specialises in researching teacher migration, recently got a practical lesson in the subject when her emigrated karate teacher’s training via social media helped her achieve gold at a national event.

Manik, who turns 50 next month, won masters gold in the kata category at the Karate South Africa National Championships in Pretoria. It was an early birthday present for Manik, who went through the regional and provincial trials before she scored her first national gold medal.

The eMdloti mother of two, who lectures in education at the University of KwaZuluNatal, trains three times a week at the Nikki-ha Karate club in Verulam.

The second dan black belt has practised the martial art for more than 25 years, and is excited about this achievement because it followed a lengthy absence from the competitive arena.

“I’m elated at having gone through the various levels. It’s a good opportunity at this stage in life to be doing competitive karate, which I gave up about a decade ago due to interests in dancing, swimming and other sports,” said Manik.

“I had achieved provincial gold but never made it to the South African level of top three, so I’m quite excited that I worked very hard and it all paid off.

“My sensei, Kyoshi Nikki Pillay (seventh dan), emigrated to Australia a few years ago, and at the dojo I train together with the local trainers, Viren Gosai and sensei Rodney Nair, using the videos he (Pillay) sends from Australia, at least until he is able to come back to South Africa.”

Manik’s husband Rookesh and sons Wazir and Kapil are also involved in the sport. She met her husband, a third dan black belt, through karate when she moved from Durban to Verulam at the start of her teaching career.

Living alone, she thought it was important to learn some form of self-defence.

That view is vindicated in light of the incidence of crime across South Africa.

“I believe it’s immensely important for women not to be seen as the weaker sex, and not to be taken advantage of.

“All women need to be able to defend themselves, especially in current South Africa where violent crime against women is growing.

“It’s important for all women to realise that they have agency and the power to defend themselves if they are not outnumbered,” said Manik.

With the kata honour, Manik said she looked forward to being seeded nationally, which potentially opened the door to represent South Africa internationally.