AFFILIATION AND HISTORY OF AFSA

The PE Aikido club is affiliated to AFSA (Aikido Federation of South Africa) who are the recognized body for teaching aikido in South Africa. A yearly fee of R250 is payable to AFSA, who use these funds to invite foreign instructors and promote aikido in SA. AFSA controls the gradings and standard of Aikido in SA.

The Aikido Federation of South Africa is the Aikido authority in South Africa and was established in 1977. Today it has 17 affiliated clubs in South Africa, each consisting of one or more dojos.

The Aikido Federation of South Africa enjoys full recognition from the Aikikai Foundation seated at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. AFSA is also the representative member for South Africa at the International Aikido Federation (IAF), which in turn is a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and of the International World Games Association (IWGA).

Locally AFSA is a member of the Martial Arts & Games Committee of South Africa (MA&GC) and thereby affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). AFSA is a sporting organisation not for gain and as such registered with the Department of Social Development in terms of the Non-profit Organisations Act.

Kenneth Cottier Shihan (7th Dan, Aikikai) from England played an integral role in the progression of aikido in SA, and served as Honorary president. Franco Martufi Sensei (6th Dan, Aikikai) from Italy is the AFSA Jokyushidoin (Chief Instructor). Giorgio Veneri Sensei (6th Dan, Aikikai), a founder member of the Aikikai d'Italia and a former chairman of the IAF, was the Technical Director of AFSA until he passed away in 2005. Paul de Beer Sensei (5th Dan, Aikikai) is the AFSA Shidoin (Senior Instructor). NEXT