Kicking Barriers , Building Futures ( False Bay Karate Academy )

False Bay Karate Academy: Kicking Barriers, Building Futures

Written by : Faith Marman 

When you walk into the dojo of False Bay Karate Academy, you’re not just stepping into a place of training – you’re stepping into a story of resilience, community, and legacy.

The Academy has been shaping young lives since the early 90s, born out of a fight against bullying and later carried forward by the late Mr. Jordan, whose vision still breathes in every bow, kick, and “Osu” echoing through the mats. This year, on 13 September, the Academy hosted its very own Memorial Cup Tournament – a tribute to their founder and a rallying point for the future of karate in the Cape Flats.

Its more Than Just Karate

What’s remarkable about False Bay Karate Academy is not just the trophies and medals but the people behind the belts. From Sensei Hilton, a third dan black belt, to Felicia Philando, a brown belt and developer by trade, each member juggles professional careers while giving back to the community through karate. Teachers, IT specialists, entrepreneurs , all finding time to mentor, train, and inspire the youth.

“It shows you can multitask,” as one of the presenters noted. And that’s the lesson: karate is not just sport; it’s discipline that seeps into every part of life.

Fighting Against the Odds

Running a dojo is no small feat. Equipment costs alone reach into the tens of thousands – a single headguard is about R1,000, and gearing up a fighter can set a family back R2,000. With no government funding for full-contact karate, the Academy relies heavily on fundraisers, sponsorships, and the incredible support of parents.

“We are trying to help the community. We are trying to uplift the kids and give them opportunities to be better than what they see around them,” Sensei Hilton shared passionately.

Breaking Barriers with Technology

False Bay Karate Academy isn’t stuck in the “dinosaur days.” This year’s Memorial Cup became the first in the Western Cape to run a fully digital full-contact tournament. From online registration to live scoring on big screens, the Academy is proving that even grassroots organizations can innovate. The question of whats in store for the future was asked and the answer included, livestreaming tournaments, launching Instagram and TikTok, and building a digital presence that matches their energy on the mats.

Girls Kick, Too

One of the Academy’s proudest missions is empowering young women in karate. Despite the lingering stigma that “girls don’t belong in martial arts,” the Academy pushes against that barrier every day. Sensei Evelyn put it best: “When your kids are in the sport, it’s not just a sport, but it’s a life skill. They’ll be able to stand up for themselves should mommy and daddy not be around.”

What’s Next?

Beyond tournaments and medals, the dream stretches far. Next year, the Academy plans to travel outside of the Western Cape , and ultimately, to take their fighters all the way to Japan, the birthplace of karate.

How You Can Help

If you’re reading this and asking, “What can I do?”, the answer is simple: support. Whether through equipment donations, sponsorships, or simply showing up to their events, your help fuels a safe, uplifting space for the youth of the Cape Flats.

Follow them on Facebook: False Bay Karate Academy – with Instagram and TikTok “loading” soon.

And remember their motto, echoing from the words of Sensei Ruben:

 “Osu no seishun – persevere while being pushed. Whatever difficulty you find yourself in, keep pushing, and push again.”

Because at False Bay Karate Academy, they’re not just teaching karate , they’re teaching life.