CTKA Leadership

Shihan Dave Venter began his martial arts training in 1977 with the JKA (Japanese Karate Association) under Sensei Jimmy Cook, then head of the former Eastern Transvaal region, with Sensei Stan Schmidt as his style head. He earned his yellow belt in November 1977 and, after six years of dedicated training, achieved his first dan in 1983. During his karate career, he became South Eastern and Northern Transvaal champion in both kumite and kata, and represented Northern Transvaal at the South African Championships. While still in matric, he also served as one of the instructors at the Middelburg dojo. He later transitioned into kickboxing, grading under Shihan Pat Carney, and went on to compete successfully across Boland, Western Province, and West Coast circuits, earning multiple provincial titles and representing these regions at national level. In November 2017, he achieved his 5th Dan black belt in kickboxing under Shihan Natasha Crous in George. Internationally, he has served as National Coach at the 2014 Junior WAKO World Championships in Italy and competed as both coach and fighter at the 2015 Senior WAKO World Championships in Ireland. Shihan Venter currently serves as President of the Cape Town Kickboxing Association (CTKA), where he provides strategic leadership and guidance for the organisation. In this role, he is responsible for promoting the growth and development of kickboxing within the region, supporting affiliated clubs, and upholding standards aligned with national and international kickboxing structures.