General

October is well into the tourist season, meaning busy airlines and scarce accommodation – Airfare usually increases in March so it is advisable to book early for the best prices.

Group accommodation in Stellenbosch is limited and should be booked early to avoid disappointment. To experience the South African wildlife in its natural habitat, it is best to fly to Cape Town via Johannesburg and to take a safari tour from Johannesburg on your return journey.

Events

• The IOGKF Country Chief Instructor Gashuku

  Commences on Saturday 23 October with an official welcome function for all country chief instructors, 5th Dan and higher, followed by all day training on Sunday 24 October and the chief instructors’ meeting. From Monday to Thursday, training will be every morning for two hours exclusively.

• The IOGKF South Africa ‘Ubuntu’ International Gashuku

  Runs from Monday 25 October until Friday 29 October with daily group training sessions, similar to the European Gashukus and Okinawan Budosai.

  • Juniors can participate in the entire Gashuku in their grade groups, or in special session for juniors aged 7 years and older, on Thursday 28 October and Friday 29 October. We are catering for the many juniors that we have in South Africa, so please bring your junior members along.

  • Black Belt group will have a daily training session with Higaonna Sensei (as opposed to the single training session offered at most of these events)

  • Kyu grades will be grouped together

  Training will finish daily at 14h00 to make time available for sightseeing etc.

• The IOGKF World Friendship Tournament

  Will be held on Saturday 30 October.

  • The general tournament, Black Belt team finals and Master’s Demonstrations will take place on Saturday 30 October.
  • Mens’ and Ladies’ Black Belt teams will each comprise of three persons and countries can field more than one team. It is advisable to have a 4th person as a reserve. The format will be a straight knock out.
  • In addition to the team events, there will also be individual black belt divisions for Men and Ladies who do not take part in the team events.
  • Members may takes part in either the team or individual events.
  • Only members and reserves of the teams knocked out in the 1st rounds, can enter on the spot for the individual divisions.
  • There are 61 divisions for juniors and seniors, run on a Loser Pool system, which means every competitor gets two chances before being knocked out. Juniors take part in weight and age categories with seniors in kyu grade categories.

The Sayonara Party

Will take place on Saturday evening 30 October. The registration for the Ubuntu Gashuku includes the Sayonara Party for members. Tickets for family and guests are available at R450.00 per person