Ahead of their official weigh-in at the 2025 African Youth Games, karatekas Galliano Boni and Farah Seedat, sat down in Row Z of the Estadio de Cidadela Pavilion in Luanda to share with Team SA writer Mark Lemke as to how they began the sport, their goals, and how it feels to represent their country.
Boni, a confident and respectful 16-year-old boarding student at St Andrew’s College in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), started the conversation explaining how karate began for him.
“I have always looked up to my big brother and he did karate. I decided to try it out because to try be like him and I just took to the sport instantly.”
Seedat, a bubbly and smiley 15-year-old at Durban Girls College, chipped in with how she started her journey in teh sport.
“Karate began as a casual sport when I was seven-years-old. The competitive side only began for me last year!”
They are both young and ambitious, and with a career stretching out ahead of them, they were asked what goals they have in place?
Boni: was first to respond. “My goal is to reach the Youth Olympics, but now my focus is on the African Youth Games. I am nervous but I feel ready and excited to compete.”
Seedat took up a similar outlook to Boni: “I am also aiming to reach the Youth Olympics, but it is important that I give my best here in Luanda and be as supportive and helpful to my teammates and senseis.”
It goes without saying that achieving the level of the Youth Olympics requires immense dedication and hard work. So, what makes it worth it for these talented practitioners?
Again, Boni took the lead. “The love that I feel from those around me whenever I step onto the mat is unlike anything I’ve felt before. The way I have been loved, supported, and cheered drives me to perform.”
Seedat differed in her response: “I fell in love with the discipline I have learnt through karate. It has provided me with structure and the willpower to persevere through difficult times. I don’t believe I could learn these lessons in any other way.”
The pair rounded off the conversation by opening up about how it feels about to represent Team SA as a squad and South Africa as a country.
Boni said: “Although I have represented South Africa before, this is my first time with the official Team SA and I cannot begin to describe how proud I feel. It is a special accomplishment to wear this badge over my heart.”
Seedat said that she “burst into tears when I found out I was selected for Team SA. I am so grateful and privileged to be here. The only word I can think of that gets close to how I feel is – exhilarated!”
Karate competition started on Thursday (11 December) and the pair, along with the rest of their talented team, were feeling ready to bring medals home for Team SA.
