Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate is a traditional style of Karate with roots reaching back to the Foo Chow province in China.

Fighting skills taught by Master Ryu Ryuku were brought back to the island of Okinawa by the famous Okinawan Master, Kanryu Higaonna Sensei.

One of his foremost students, the legendary Chojun Miyagi, developed his own unique style from the teachings of Master Higaonna and named it Goju-Ryu.

Chojun Miyagi Sensei, founder of Goju-Ryu Karate.

GOJU means literally HARD/SOFT with the GO implying physical strength and a strong character whilst the JU implies a supple and mobile body with a flexible, gentle nature. RYU means system.

Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Namibia (OGKN) was founded in 1979 by Shihan Hennie De Vries.

In January 1999, Sensei Carl van der Merwe took over as Chief Instructor of the organization before reaffiliating to the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF) in 2003. It is here that Sensei Carl started training directly under Sensei Bakkies Laubscher (9th Dan) who has continued to be Sensei Carl’s direct instructor since.

As of 2023 OGKN reaffiliated to the Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Federation (TOGKF) as lead by Goju-Ryu Grand Master, Morio Higaonna Sensei. The TOGKF is the guardian of Traditional Okinawa Goju-Ryu as it was passed to Higaonna Sensei and acts as a vehicle by Goju-Ryu practitioners to spread Higaonna Morio Sensei’s vision of Okinawa Goju-Ryu karate do around the world. 

Sensei Carl van der Merwe (7th Dan)

Chief Instructor – Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Namibia

Sensei Bakkies Laubscher (9th Dan)

TOGKF Vice Chief Instructor

Sensei Morio Higaonna (10th Dan)

TOGKF World Chief Instructor

The Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Federation Badge