Si Fu
In 2011 Si Fu André was invited by a friend, as a new year’s resolution, to join a class of Tai Chi at an International Kung Fu & Tai Chi School SA. He was immediately captivated by this art! Before his classes would start he saw what the other students did during Kung Fu class. It was not long and he joined those classes swell.
“My perception of martial arts was that students kick and punch each other, or get thrown to the ground, a lot! (judo and karate) Perceived when I was growing up in Stellenbosch. That was not for me, I always thought!”
“My eyes opened and I experienced decreased anxiety, improving of energy and concentration, improved self-confidence and better general health”
Over the next five years Si Fu André was taught the fine art of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, achieving many certificates. Soon his teachers realized his unique ability to work with children. They immediately prepared him to start teaching their younger students every Saturday! His love to teach children has started. Si Fu André became involved with many community outreach projects in the area by teaching to Grade-R scholars, and even had over 80 class students at a local school in Strand!
In 2014 his Master moved away to Kimberley in the Northern Cape. Si Fu André started his own school with the name of Somerset Kung-Fu Academy. He only had 3 students.
“I was determined to reach more youngsters”
He would not give up!
By 2016 Si Fu André had about 10 regular students he was teaching. He saw that some students were struggling with the not-so-easy Kung Fu and he took notice.
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Si Fu André noticed that he had to change his school structure to accommodate every student that wants to join up. “We had a lot of kids with ADD / ADHD”
By doing our Kung Fu these kids gain a lot through
Focus, Power, Speed, Endurance, Discipline, and Respect.
Therefore, he decided to build his New School on these six pillars making it his school motto!
Somerset West Kung Fu Academy was the end-result.
“I am not there to take the money, but to take the child to his or her next level of development”
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Si Fu André
