Dojo Ken Karate Academy stays focused despite politics
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday December 15, 2025 06:05
The academy held the third edition of its annual summer Gashuku (Kids' Camp) at the Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) in Lobatse, which started last week and ended yesterday. The five-day programme, which was attended by youth aged six to 22 years, was meant to build character, foster career skills and offer a path forward for street children and ‘at-risk’ youth.
Dojo Ken Karate Academy senior Instructor and Camp Facilitator, Sensei Keone Kgorotlhe, told Mmegi Sport that karate is going through a crisis at the national level.
He, however, said as a club, they have a role to play and a responsibility to change lives, adding that it all starts at a young age before children are destroyed by the toxic environment.
Kgorotlhe said another lesson they taught the students was that, whilst most people consider karate to be all about fighting and physical fitness, there is more to it.
The Chief Instructor added that most people joined karate thinking they would be taught how to beat up other people, only to be disappointed when encouraged not to fight.
He explained that when schools go for a break, especially during the third term (which is the longest), children roam the streets without any plan or purpose.
Kgorotlhe said this leads to them mixing with the wrong crowds, some ending up drinking alcohol, taking drugs and engaging in substance abuse.
'In our town, we have street children; nobody looks in their direction because everyone has given up on them.
'We always see them amongst shopping malls, holding boxes under their noses. They sniff glue, thick industrial glue meant for shoe repairs and upholstery,' he said.
Kgorotlhe revealed that the Lobatse community has been supportive, with collaborations amongst IHS, Urban Rhythm, Ilo Industries, Re Nale Seabe, and Phoenix Bakery.
He said the objectives of the Gashuku extended beyond martial arts training, focusing on holistic development, building character through karate discipline, career guidance, rehabilitating street children to reintegrate them into school and providing business orientation for those too old for formal education.
Kgorotlhe said Gashuku stands as a testament to community partnership and proactive investment in youth development.
'By addressing challenges from character building to practical rehabilitation, Dojo Ken Karate Academy continues to demonstrate how martial arts can be a powerful tool for social change and personal empowerment in Lobatse,' he said.
For his part, Lobatse Town Mayor Aron Ganakgomo added that the initiative played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the town.
He urged the participants to internalise the lessons learned—discipline, resilience and focus—and carry them forward to achieve greatness in their lives.
Echoing the Mayor's sentiments, Boswelatlou Ward Councillor Omar Raphael said Dojo Ken Karate Academy had created a transformative space that not only teaches self-defence but also rebuilds lives and redirects futures.