Toasting 50 years of Ju-Jitsu at UCT

For half a century, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Ju-Jitsu Club has been training students and staff in the centuries-old martial art. And on Saturday, 29 August, a section of UCT’s Sport Centre on upper campus came alive as participants, instructors, friends of the club and family members gathered to celebrate the milestone.

The club was established in 1976 under the auspices and guidance of Professor Charles Gaven – the founder of Gaven-Ryu Ju-Jitsu in South Africa. Ju-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art and self-defence system that focuses on ground fighting, leverage and submission holds rather than punching or kicking. It is often referred to as a gentle art because it uses an opponent’s own strength and momentum against them. The martial art allows a smaller person to control and submit a larger attacker.

“We are incredibly pleased and honoured that you would come share this day with us. For a club – particularly a martial arts club – to reach 50 years is quite a dramatic milestone. We are bursting with pride. We are bursting with nerves. We are bursting with all good things,” said the club’s Dr Muya Koloko.

Historic moment

Dr Koloko said the 50th celebration was particularly special because the club is one of the oldest martial arts clubs at UCT and the first Ju-Jitsu club set up at a university in Africa. And members who join stick around for decades, he added.

“ It is crucial that we celebrate our longevity.”

“This milestone is historic. We get to have students who joined this year and interact with people who were around with the club’s formation. Past members are always coming back home,” he said. “And in a time when the number of sports clubs, particularly martial arts clubs, are shrinking on campus, it is crucial that we celebrate our longevity.”

Commenting on some of the club’s highlights over the past 50 years, Koloko said these include hosting an array of demonstrations, international guests and facilitating countless self-defence courses. He said the club has also been instrumental in setting up a martial arts forum on campus to improve inter-club relations. Thanks to this ongoing effort, Koloko said, the club has managed to establish a strong community, which includes both members and instructors who remain loyal and proud associates.

A welcoming space

Addressing the audience, club chairperson, Alyssa Dick, said she joined the club to learn a martial art and to challenge herself. But along the way, she realised that there was a lot more to it than that.

“It became more about the people I met; the friendships I formed and the lessons I learned from those who came before me. And one of the things that I’ve come to appreciate most about this club is that everyone arrives with a different story,” Dick said.

“Some people join because they want to learn self-defence. Some people join for a sense of fun and others simply because they want to join this community. Whatever brought you here, you’ve ultimately become part of something much bigger than yourself.”

The teachings

Dick said the club has taught her that progress doesn’t always look the same for everyone, including herself. Sometimes, she said, progress could be showing up “when you don’t feel like it”; getting back onto the mat after a difficult session or helping someone else with techniques or moves you once struggled with yourself.

“Thank you for helping us write this new chapter.”

“Those small wins are what makes a strong martial artist and what I believe makes a strong [martial art] community,” she said. “I would like to thank everyone [who has been a part of] this club – past and present instructors, former committee members, supporters and everyone who has given their time and energy to keep this club moving forward.”

To new and would-be members, Dick shared some encouraging words.

“I hope this becomes a place where you can challenge yourself, make mistakes without fear, find [like-minded] people and grow not only as martial artists, but as individuals. Thank you for helping us write this new chapter.”