29 Oct 2025

Veteran karateka Sensei Boston Rakgampu is unstoppable in his quest to reach his ultimate goal.

Two years ago, upon careful reflection Rakgampu began to focus his attention on how a sport he had loved and participated in over three decades could be adapted to meet the needs of those living with disabilities.

His next stop was Thuto Boswa Rehabilitation centre in Ramotswa. Established 44 years ago when there were few of its kind, the centre offers vocational training, life skills and physical training for learners with intellectual and learning disabilities.

For anyone who doubted Rakgampu’s efforts in an environment which was undoubtedly uneasy, his karate lessons to his students is proving them all wrong and his determination and grit is paying off.

“I want to see them take part in the national team and finally compete in regional, continental and at the end of it all global para karate championships where the country is usually not represented,” added Rakgampu during one of the training sessions.

Visiting the school’s multipurpose hall where the karate lessons take place one could discern through their body language how they had bonded well through the love of learning from their karate teacher or sensei in martial art parlance.

Rakgampu is slowly breaking down barriers and stereotypes and has opened doors for children who had lost hope.

“Karate is not just good for the body but to them it is also good for the brain. Our regular exercises, kata drills automatically train the brain to stay alert, their discipline and reaction is top notch,” added Rakgampu.

Rakgampu a sixth dan black belt karate instructor is a well-known karate teacher and Kofukan Botswana karate technical director.

He is an ardent youth development instructor who had previously held the fort as Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) chairperson of the referees’ commission.

He said his goal was to empower the intellectually challenged students learn the discipline to survive their individual personal challenges.

Rehabilitation officer at Thuto Boswa centre Omphile Maotwanyane said Rakgampu’s intervention in their programme was vital as sport played a major part in their rehabilitative efforts.

She said her role at the school was to provide psychosocial support to learners and ensure that the curriculum they offered their learners was offered in a conducive place where they were able to absorb it.

Maotwanyane said the school had a student population of 43 who were offered vocational training through programmes such as dressmaking, horticulture, leatherworks and rehabilitative crafts for those who had severe intellectual disabilities.

“Our students are involved in different sporting activities and we are able to unearth hidden talent through sport. With sensei Rakgampu’s engagement our students are able to keep fit through physical exercise even mentally they are able to focus on the positives,” she said.

Maotwanyane said positive behavior learnt through karate was impactful in the student’s academic programme. Some have intellectual disabilities such as autism and down syndrome while some leaners have dyslexia, a learning disability characterised by reading and writing difficulties and dysgraphia, a disorder that affects one’s writing ability. ENDS