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Lifetime Achievement Awards for Dr Jairam Reddy and Ela Gandhi
From left: Ayesha Sooliman, Ela Gandhi, Anita Pillay, Dr Jairam Reddy and Sonny Pillay
Shotokan Karate-Do International South Africa (SKISA) and Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF) recently presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Durban University of Technology Chair of Council Dr Jairam Reddy and Chancellor Ela Gandhi for their outstanding contribution to society at a Farewell Gala Dinner at Ritson Campus.
Dr Reddy was recognized for his brilliance as an academic and for being an outstanding advocate for human rights particularly for his efforts in the apartheid era to level the playing fields during his tenure as vice chancellor of the university of Durban Westville (now ukzn) moreover his achievements both in South Africa and abroad are described as simply stunning and remain unparalleled. Ela Gandhi was recognized for her track record as a human rights campaigner and for her vigorous effort in promoting peace and non-violence based on the principles of the Satyagraha movement and her humantarian service to the peoples of the rainbow nation through the Gandhi development trust.
SKISA is a national karate organisation in existence since 1978 and primarily has been promoting the art of karate amongst the previously disadvantaged and underprivileged communities of Kzn . In terms of the group areas act SKISA, which is affiliated to the world federation called SKIF, was confined to "non white" areas and therefore could only grow after the release of the great Madiba from prison in 1990. Today SKISA has become KZN’s largest karate organisation and certainly one of South Africa's premier karate organizations. Skisa is part of the SKIF world federation comprising of over 110 countries with approximately 3 million members globally.
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“SKISA recognises members of the rainbow nation who make a difference in enhancing the lives of others in whatever field they may be involved. SKISA and its world federation decided to nominate Dr Reddy for the Lifetime Achievement Award that was conferred on him by visiting Japanese master Manabu Murakami, a 2 time world champion and chief of the international division of SKIF.
The world federation also recognised Ela Gandhi for her role played in society especially amongst the downtrodden and therefore felt it apt to confer on her the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Kyoshi Sonny Pillay, founder, president and chief instructor of SKISA.
Previous lifetime achievement award recipients of SKISA/SKIF are Dr Imtiaz Sooliman (Founder of Gift of the Givers), Mr Vivian Reddy (Durban Businessman), Dr Sam Ramsamy (International Olympic Committee executive member), Former President Nelson Mandela was bestowed a honorary 10th dan black belt (Grand Master Doctorate) and President Dr Jacob Zuma was conferred a honorary 7th dan black belt and the list goes on.
In addition SKISA has produced 2 world champions viz Njabulo Khumalo from Ntuzuma Township and Ravi Moodley originally from Chatsworth, together with several proteas (national players).
SKISA’S highlight was hosting the 2003 SKIF world cup karate at the ICC in Durban (a first for the African continent). A total of 53 countries from around the globe were in attendance.
President Dr Jacob Zuma, then deputy president was the chief guest and delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony. Since 2003 SKISA has partnered DUT sport dept and cooperative education in undertaking various social responsibility programmes viz free street childrens self defence workshops,technical seminars for the karateka of Kzn and the hosting of the annual Gift of the Givers International Kanazawa cup at Fred Crookes sports centre. SKISA looks forward to DUT’s participation in the bid committee that is engaged in acquiring the rights to host 2015 SKIF world cup karate tournament in the Kingdom of the Zulu. SKISA who are poised to sign a MOU ensuring that its national team are prepared at the high performance centre of sports dept of DUT work very closely with Size Vardhan (sports) and Shakeel Ori (co –operative)
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