Sensei Michael Cindi Mailula

Michael Cindi Mailula (6th Dan), head of the Pan African Shotokan Karate-Do Federation, was born on 15 December 1954. After his schooling years he worked for several companies as a prominent boxer, before turning to amateur football in Kwa Thema, Springs.

In 1969 a friend introduced him to a karate club and he was immediately drawn to the discipline it demanded — joining the very next lesson. His first instructor was brown belt holder Abram Nhlapho, training in Shotokan karate under the JKA association established by Stan Schmidt, at a club named Hideleka. The club closed after two years.

In 1971 he and a friend, Alfred Mkhondwane, joined the Nishiyama Karate Club under Edward Mtshali. The following year, Sensei Norman Robinson — a 4th Dan black belt and the first white instructor to assist black karateka in South Africa — held the club's first grading, double-grading Michael from white to orange belt.