Top Zimbabwe Karate Referee Mourned

Lloyd ndemo

Zimbabwe’s top karate referee sensei Ephraim George Majoni died in Kwekwe on Wednesday after battling a kidney ailment.

He was a highly qualified instructor and holder of a black belt.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Karate Union said it had lost a committed instructor, judge and a father figure in the karate fraternity.

“It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of Sensei Ephraim George Majoni, who passed on this evening. Sensei Majoni was an Instructor at Sankukai Dragons and a teacher at Kwekwe High School.”

In a telephone interview, Zimbabwe Karate Union president Joe Rugwete said they have lost a trusted and committed member who contributed everything he had towards the growth of karate in Zimbabwe.

“He was a passionate referee who was a qualified Union of African Karate Federations (UFAK) Continental Judge. He travelled with us in the region and on the Continent in pursuit of Referees licences. One of the very very few Instructors who have managed to do that in the history of the ZKU.

“We are currently mobilising resources so that we can send our representatives to Kwekwe to pay our last respects and sympathise with the family”

His childhood friend sensei Richard Sauta, a retired army colonel, said he was at a loss for words to describe the loss of his childhood friend.

“I feel like a part of me has actually died with the passing on of my childhood friend who went on to become a great karateka, an instructor and a teacher. His father taught me from Grade Three to Five at Stockil School and I grew up with him and his family stayed about 50 metres from my family, so we grew up playing and schooling together.

Retired colonel Sauta said he grew up with Majoni and his family in Chiredzi and they stayed a stone’s throw from each other and went to the same school.

Mourners are gathered at his house in Westend, Kwekwe.

Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.