Goju-Ryu Karate

24/11/2025

02/11/2024

Instructors Feature: Theresa Borcherds - Yondan (4th Dan)
Dojo: Prince Albert

I started karate in 1992 in Prince Albert. My dad, André Gouws, was my instructor. We are 4 sisters and we had no choice but to join karate. It was compulsory until we completed school. All four of us obtained Shodan. In 2004 I started practicing with Sensei Naudé Gouws as a brown +3 (1kyu) at Paarl Dojo. I teached in Wellington and Riebeek Kasteel for 11 years.

In 2014 moved to Prince Albert and started my own Dojo.

Highlights:
April 1996 - SAGA 30th Anniversary Gasshuku held at Wynberg, Cape Town with Sensei Morio Higaonna.
2004 - Graded for Shodan by Sensei Bakkies Laubscher
2008 - Visit and train in Okinawa at the World Budosai with Sensei Morio Higaonna.
2010 - Took part in the world championship and was part of the SA team that won the Silver medal.
- Ubuntu gasshuku in Stellenbosch with Sensei Morio Higaonna and Sensei Bakkies
2014 - Sensei Bakkies 50 Gasshuku
2024 - Sensei Bakkies 60 Gasshuku
Train all the gasshuku's with Sensei Bakkies, Sensei Vince and Sensei Naudé.

I learned that karate is a way of living.
Never give up.
To think outside the box.
Believe in yourself and try to lead by example.

I have lots of respect for Sensei Bakkies, Sensei Vince, Sensei Gawie and Sensei Naudé. They are truly inspiring and legends to look up too.

Goals: Stay focused.
You are never too old to learn and always focus on the small things and teach by heart. Make a difference in the lives of your students. Stay loyal and have respect for each other. Always stay calm.

21/10/2024

The world famous Sensei Vincent from South Africa!! One of the most humble human beings you will ever meet. A lot of people around the world know this Sensei from Sensei Bakkies’ DVD series. Sensei Paul always gets to train with him on each visit and it’s always a great session!!

06/03/2024

Higaonna Sensei and Honbu senior instructors (Uehara Sensei, Kuramoto Sensei and Yonesato Sensei) recently attended the interment ceremony for Miyagi Chōjun. The event was held on March 2nd at the Ryūkyū Shikina-in Temple in Manachi, Naha, Okinawa. The original burial site was in Urasoe; however, the Miyagi Family decided on a relocation due its current condition.

According to the news article, “approximately 30 people attended the gravesite, placed their hands together, and vowed to continue the development of Gōjū-ryū.”

26/02/2024

Sensei Bakkies Laubscher 9th Dan, Morio Higaonna Sensei’s most senior student, fought internationally in two WUKO World Tournaments, and is celebrating his 6...