ABOUT
A brief history of the RKC DOJO, South Africa
The RKC DOJO (RKC) was founded in 2015 by Warren HO and Andrew WHITTAKER, with the intentions of bringing their combined knowledge and unique aspirations to the greater Kendo community.
As past students of the original San Kawa Kendo Dojo (SKKD) that was then headed up by the original founder of SKKD, Tony Hughes sensei (Kendo Renshi 6th Dan), it was both Warren and Andrew’s intention to use much of their SKKD experiences in the formation of the RKC.
Both Warren and Andrew had also been members of the South African National Kendo Team, and had represented their country at several European Kendo Championships (EKC) and World Kendo Championships (WKC). Both have earned their National Sports Colours in Kendo.
Furthermore, between the 2 of them, they have over 20 years of experience working at a national level, as they have both served as executive committee members of the South African Kendo Federation (SAKF), the national governing body of Kendo, Iaido and Jodo in South Africa.
Lastly, both Warren and Andrew had completed their Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) Coaching Certification (NQF3), as well as both having had attended the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) Foreign Leaders’ Kendo Training Camp in Kitamoto, Japan.
Warren had also attended the European Kendo Federation’s Shimpan/Referee Seminar twice to further his knowledge of Kendo and Kendo refereeing.
To reflect the aspirations of its founders, the RKC set forth to accomplish three major objectives, namely to:
1) ...FOCUS on helping ALL their members develop good Kendo, Iaido, and/or Jodo..
2) ...Whilst still having FUN during their time of training and socializing together...
3) ...Resulting in lifelong relationships that make them feel a part of the RKC-FAMILY.
The RKC has adopted the Kendo proverb of "Kō Ken Chi Ai" (交剣知愛) , “the desire to achieve mutual understanding and betterment of humanity through sword training”, to help guide its members on their lifelong pursuit of Kendo.
As from January 2020, the RKC had ceased to be a non-profit entity, and had opted to become a professional martial arts institution.
In 2020, "Iaido", the art of drawing and cutting with a sword, and "Jodo", the art of the short staff, was added as additional Japanese sword-related martial art that was offered at the RKC.
As from the 27 September 2021, the "Rivonia Kendo Club" would be referred to as the "RKC DOJO" or "RKC". This subtle change in the name was because of the opening of a new RKC branch of the dojo in the eastern suburbs of Johannesburg. The RKC Dojo in Observatory opened its door for Kendo training on Tuesday, 5 October 2021.
"RKC" stands for "Ryū Ken Chi" (written in Japanese kanji as 龍 剣 知)), and translates to "Dragon Sword Wisdom". As from 09 November 2021, the RKC Dojo made some subtle changes to their logo. Read all about the symbolism of the logo at this link: https://www.rkcdojo.com/post/ryukenchi-dojo-aka-rkc-dojo
The RKC AWARDS ROLL can be found here: https://www.rkcdojo.com/post/rkc-dojo-awards-roll
DOJO INSTRUCTORS
Warren
ho
RKC Founder
Head Instructor
Kendo 5th Dan; Iaido 2nd Dan; Jodo 2nd Dan
Warren has been practicing Kendo since 2003 and is a founding member of the RKC. He is also a past member of the SKKD and a student of Tony Hughes Sensei. Furthermore, Warren served on the South African Kendo Federation (SAKF) Executive Committee for 10 years, 4 of which as the SAKF President.
Warren has been a part of the National South African Kendo team at three European Kendo Competitions (EKC) and three World Kendo Championship (WKC), and has therefore earned his National Sports colours in Kendo a total of 6 times.
Warren is also a self-defence instructor and often presents public workshops and corporate engagements.
Visit www.warrenho.net
Ray
Fleming
Kendo Instructor
Kendo 5th Dan
Ray started practising Kendo in the 90's and was amongst one of the first people to have started practicing Kendo in South Africa.
During the course of that time, Ray sensei has been a member of the South African Kendo Federation (SAKF)'s executive committee; participated in a number of Kendo Foreign Leaders Camps in Kitimoto, Japan; and has been instrumental in the development of the severa dojo's in South Africa, including Mushin Dojo and the San Kawa Kendo Dojo.
Ray sensei is now a full-time member at the RKC Dojo where his knowledge and experience is an invaluable asset to the club.
Cedric
jacques
Kendo Instructor
Kendo 5th Dan; Iaido 1st Kyu
Cedric is amongst one of the first Kendo students in South Africa when it was first introduced in the 1990's. Cedric had represented South Africa many times in both the European Kendo Championships (EKC), as well as the World Kendo Championships (WKC). Cedric has also taken part several times in the Foreign Leaders Seminar in Kitamoto, Japan.
Nirisoa
Rasamijao
Kendo Kids Assistant Instructor
Kendo 1st Dan
Nirisoa started her Kendo journey at RKC in the end of 2021.
She enjoys watching the students progress, gain confidence and be empowered through martial arts.
She also appreciates other traditional martial arts.
LOGANN
NAIDOO
Kendo Assistant Instructor
Kendo 3rd Dan
Logan was one of the first students of the RKC Dojo when it first opened its doors for training in 2015. Through consistent and dedicated practise, he obtained his 3rd dan in Kendo at the end of 2020.
TERRY
CHAU
Kendo Assistant Instructor
Kendo 3rd Dan
Terry started his training at Kentokukai Kendo Club, Hong Kong in 2015. He had participated in different Kendo tournaments in many Asia cities including Taiwan & China.
Upon moving back to South Africa in 2020, Terry started training regularly at the RKC Dojo. He was also a part of the National South Africa Kendo team at the European Kendo Championship (EKC) 2022 in Germany and earned his first National Sports colours in Kendo.
Thio
NAIDOO
Kendo Assistant Instructor
Kendo 3rd Dan
Thio has been practicing Kendo since 2015 and was one of the first members of RKC. Thio had aspirations to be part of the National South African Kendo team and represent South Africa in international events. This became a reality in 2023!
Thio is an Assistant Instructor at the RKC Observatory Dojo.
DEMINIQUE
VILJOEN DOYLE
Iaido Assistant Instructor
Iaido 1st Kyu; Kendo 5th Kyu
Deminique (aka Demz) started her martial arts journey in 2016 with Kendo at the Rivonia Kendo Club.
However due to personal reasons, she had to put her kendo journey on hold indefinately.
It wasn't until the end of 2019 that she was finally able to meld her passion and practise of the martial arts through Iaido, the art of drawing, cutting with and sheathing the sword.
Demz is a loving and caring teacher, nature conservationist and yoga therapist.
James
MILLER
Iaido Assistant Instructor
IaKendo 2nd Dan, Iaido 1st Dan
James started Kendo in 2018 and moved to the RKC Dojo in 2020. James studies Kendo, Iaido and Jodo. James is our current Health and Safety Officer.
HEinz
WEILERT
Jodo Assistant Instructor
Kendo 3rd Dan; Jodo 2nd Dan
Heinz joined the RKC Dojo in 2018 initially as a Kendo member, and later as a Jodo member too.
Jason
EASON
Jodo Assistant Instructor
Kendo 2nd Dan; Jodo 1st Dan
Jayson joined the RKC Dojo in 2019 iniyially as a Kendo member, then later as a Jodo member too.
Read Jason's article on "Finding the Right Balance Between Sports and Work" by clicking here.
MATTHEW
MICHEL
Kendo Assistant Instructor
Kendo 2nd Dan
Matthew started Kendo in 2021 after hearing about it from a friend. He decided to stay and continue his Kendo journey because of its deep connection to the Japanese culture.
Matthew trains regularly at both the Rivonia and Observatory dojo.
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tony
hughes
Kendo Renshi, 6th Dan
Advisor
Tony Hughes Sensei is the founding member of the San Kawa Kendo Dojo (SKKD) of which the founding members of the RKC were past students of.
Hughes sensei now resides in the UK where he continues to practise Kendo and provides guidance and support where possible.
andrew
whittaker
Kendo 3rd Dan
RKC Founder
Andrew has been practicing Kendo since 2006 and is a founding member of the RKC. He is also a past member of the SKKD and a student of Tony Hughes Sensei. Furthermore, Andrew served on the South African Kendo Federation (SAKF) Executive Committee for 10 years as the SAKF Treasurer and thereafter as the SAKF Vice-President
Andrew was also a part of the National South African Kendo team at the World Kendo Championship (WKC) in Brazil and has earned his National Sports colours in Kendo.
AFFILIATION
The Rivonia Kendo is affiliated to the following national and international associations.
