2022 was a year full of hard work, joy, tears, excitement, learning and achievement for the Judo for Peace South Africa programme. This was a year of perseverance. The team went through a lot and ultimately enjoyed the benefits of the seeds sown in the dojo, while the hard work delivered by all judoka helped them to apply the judo teachings to everyday life.
The Judo for Peace South Africa (JFPSA) programme keeps developing at a steady pace, proposing judo activities to more and more young people to help them to integrate and to give them the tools to fight against xenophobia. Child protection, gender equity and self-confidence are among the issues that have been at the centre of all activities for several years, under the leadership of IJF Academy Alumni, Roberto Orlando, who recently joined the IJF Judo for Peace Commission.
The Judo Association of Zimbabwe hosted a two day competition in Harare on 23rd and 24th September 2022. More than 200 judoka took part in the event including the local Judo for Peace Team from the Tongogara Refugee Camp, who brought children and seniors to participate.
On 19th March 2022 we wrote about the visit of Johannes and Regina Daxbacher to Lesotho and South Africa. Let’s focus today on their stay in South Africa where they supported the Judo for Peace South Africa programme led by IJF Academy alumni Roberto Orlando, who has been developing an extensive programme, financed by the International Judo Federation, aiming to deepen the inclusion of refugees within local communities, while offering new life opportunities to those in need.
March 2022 has been a busy month for the judo family in the Southern hemisphere, with Sensei Johannes and Regina Daxbacher visiting South Africa and Lesotho, bringing their support to the judo family in this charming part of the world.