AFSA: The Aikido Federation of South Africa

The Aikido Federation of South Africa is the Aikido authority in South Africa and was established in 1977. Today it has 14 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.

Ms. Mutsuko Minegishi Sensei (7th Dan, Aikikai) from Guam is the Honorary President of AFSA. Franco Martufi Sensei (6th Dan, Aikikai) from Italy is the AFSA Jokyushidoin (Chief Instructor). Paul de Beer Sensei (5th Dan, Aikikai) is the AFSA Shidoin (Senior Instructor) and the highest graded resident instructor within AFSA.

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. Kenneth Cottier Shihan (7th Dan, Aikikai) from England and founder of the Hong Kong Aikido Association, was the first Honorary President of AFSA until he passed away in 2008. AFSA owes gratitude towards these two gentlemen who unselfishly spent their time and energy to establish and develop Aikido on the southern tip of the African continent.

AFSA maintains friendly relations with the Japanese Embassy, the Japan Foundation and the Nippon Club in South Africa. AFSA also enjoys close relations with the national aikido organisations of many other countries across the world.

All kyu grades issued by AFSA are centrally registered at its national headquarters and all dan grades issued by AFSA are awarded by the Aikido Doshu and are registered at the Aikido World Headquarters in Japan.

THE AIKIDO FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
116 Kingsway Avenue,
Brakpan,
Gauteng Province,
Republic of South Africa

Correspondence to:
AFSA Secretary,
P.O. Box 1182,
Heidelberg,
1438,
Republic of South Africa