Makhosazana Kunene
AWARD-WINNING martial arts guru Wilfred Mashaya believes karate can help parents instil discipline, respect and responsibility in their children, arguing that martial arts is about far more than fighting and self-defence.
With 30 years of experience, the founder of Zim Ninja Academy says martial arts has shaped his life, helping him make responsible choices and avoid pitfalls that have affected some of the people he grew up with.
Mashaya began his martial arts journey at the age of eight, inspired by legendary martial artist Bruce Lee and his late sensei, Titus Chigumbu, popularly known as Tito.
Over the years, he has developed expertise in ninjutsu and kobudo, while earning black belts in karate, kobudo, self-defence and jitsu.
His dedication was recently recognised at the Zimbabwe National Sports Awards, where he won the inaugural People’s Choice Award and the Coach of the Year silver medal.
Beyond the accolades, Mashaya believes his greatest achievement lies in the life lessons martial arts can impart to young people as they navigate the challenges of growing up.
“Martial arts is more than just a sport of kicking and fighting. It is a way of life. It teaches children to be responsible, respect others and understand that every action has consequences,” he said.
He believes karate can equip children with the confidence to make sound decisions, resist negative peer pressure and avoid activities that could jeopardise their future.
However, Mashaya emphasises that martial arts skills should never be used to intimidate or harm others. Instead, he wants young people to embrace training as a pathway to self-control, peaceful
living and personal development.
“The first rule I teach my students is that martial arts starts and ends with discipline and respect. We do not teach them to go out and fight people. We teach them to control themselves, respect
others and use their skills responsibly,” he said.
For Mashaya, the value of martial arts is deeply personal. He says the discipline helped him appreciate the consequences of his actions and avoid behaviour that could have derailed his life and
career.
“Through martial arts, I was able to understand a lot of things. It was through the discipline of martial arts that I learnt the importance of living a peaceful life.
“Many people I grew up with ended up in jail or struggled with drugs and substance abuse. Discipline helped me stay away from fighting, drugs and many other things that could have ruined my
career,” he said.
His experience has strengthened his belief that martial arts can help parents raise well-mannered, responsible and respectful children.
However, he says instructors cannot do it alone. Parents and sensei must work together to ensure that values taught during training are reinforced at home.
“Parents and sensei must work together. What a child learns at the dojo should also be practised at home. When parents reinforce the values of respect, discipline and responsibility, it becomes
easier for the child to grow into a responsible person,” he said.
