LEBO MJANGAZE
Ten-year-old Amahle Mfacane of Seven Star Primary School has gone from a beginner in karate to earning first place in his division at the SA National JKA Championships and putting his small school on the map.
After placing first in kata and second in kumite at the Border JKA trials, Amahle was selected to represent the Eastern Cape at the nationals in Johannesburg in May, where he won. Earlier this month he was awarded his national colours and last week Friday, was awarded his orange belt and the trophies for best kata and best grading.
Mfacane’s coach Liam Styles praised Mfacane’s dedication.
“Amahle only started his training in January 2024 and since has excelled and achieved greatly in the sport.
“He trains hard and dedicates a lot of his time to his training, and it is because of his efforts he was able to achieve his goals in such a short amount of time, we are very proud of him.”
Reflecting on the moment Amahle was announced as the winner at nationals, Styles said: “When he had finished participating in his event, the judges told the participants to line up to receive their medals. They announced third place and then second. Tension was building and I could see Amahle was nervous. They finally called his name and he was ecstatic.”
Amahle’s journey is a true example of what passion, discipline, and dedication can achieve — even at just 10 years old.
Seven Star principal Pumeza Mnguni-Magaya said Mfacane’s achievement fills them with joy as a school with not many pupils.
Seven Star Primary, opened in Cambridge six years ago, has fewer than 60 pupils from grade R to 7, and has never had a pupil competing at such a high level before.
“Amahle’s achievements are a huge milestone for our school.
“Even though we do not have all the sports codes or enough pupils to form full teams in every age group, we remain committed to giving our pupils a full and meaningful school experience. Amahle’s success proves that greatness can come from even the smallest schools.
“He is our own ‘karate kid’ and he is making history as the first Seven Star Primary pupil to receive SA colours. This is only the beginning for him, and the school.”
