Judo for Peace South Africa has been active in the country for several years under the leadership of Roberto Orlando, IJF Academy alumnus. Funded by the International Judo Federation, in collaboration with UNHCR, the focus of the programme is to use judo as a platform for communities to meet, collaborate and contribute to the social cohesion, youth and gender empowerment, and child protection of both local and refugee communities.
The main partners of JFP South Africa are Nike, Three2six, Future Families, Grassroots Soccer and Judo South Africa. Currently, activities take place in Johannesburg with 7 clubs and 12 schools; additionally there are satellite clubs in Durban and Cape Town. As stated by Roberto, "Our Vision is to fulfill the dream of Jigoro Kano Shihan to see a brighter future through the application of the teaching of judo. This is based on mutual help for a better society."
Recently we reported on the awards received by Roberto Orlando in Korea: READ THE STORY!
A group of 13 judoka participated at the national ranking event in Cape Town and had the chance to take part in a training session with an Olympic and world champion, judo legend Ilias Iliadis. The delegation obtained 11 medals: 5 gold medals (Odrade, Joshua, Zanokuhle, Sbusiso, Sandile), 2 silvers (Warda, Sandile) and 4 bronzes (Denzel, Blessing, Siphiwe, Virus).
One of the schools where judo is present, the JPI college, visited the main JFPSA dojo. Roberto explained, "JFPSA is thrilled to announce that our dojo recently hosted a special session with students from JPI College. This event provided a fantastic opportunity to share the art of judo and strengthen our connections with the institution.
Participants, both experienced and newcomers, engaged enthusiastically, practising techniques which highlighted the principles of respect and camaraderie inherent in judo. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and encouragement, fostering friendships and teamwork. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated, making the day truly memorable. We look forward to continuing sharing the joy of judo and building a vibrant, supportive community together!"
JFPSA also participated in the Japanese festival hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Pretoria. During this vibrant event, the team had the opportunity to give a short presentation and demonstration of judo. The festival was filled with joy and laughter, providing a wonderful atmosphere for learning. The judoka engaged in the ‘Tree of Hope’ exercise and explored the fascinating world of bonsai trees, deepening their appreciation of Japanese culture. "It was a memorable experience that reinforced our commitment to peace and community through judo," added Roberto.
As the end of the year approaches, JFPSA will continue its development and will reinforce its partnerships to offer more opportunities to everyone who can benefit from judo. Long live JFPSA and the values of the sport!