Japanese Ambassador Promotes Kendo Culture Among Namibian Youths

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WINDHOEK — Japanese Ambassador to Namibia, Nishimaki Hisao, hosted a special event for children from the Windhoek Kendo Club on Saturday, aiming to foster the kendo culture within Namibia. Kendo, which translates to ‘Way of the Sword,’ is a traditional Japanese sport that evolved from the samurai swordsman style over 300 years ago.



According to Namibia Press Agency, the initiative not only promotes kendo but also deepens the cultural exchange between Japan and Namibia, responding to the growing local interest in Japanese traditions. “Many Namibians have shown interest in knowing Japanese culture, including kendo,” Hisao said during the event. He also highlighted the broader scope of Japan’s contribution to Namibia, including the construction of over 300 classrooms and the provision of 163 Japanese professional teachers to the country.



Former Namibian Ambassador to Japan, Sophia Nangombe, emphasized the values learned through kendo, such as discipline and good manners, which are deeply ingrained in Japanese society. “Kendo makes you a better person, and this mirrors what built Japan: morality, gratitude, wisdom, and honesty,” Nangombe remarked. She expressed her gratitude to Ambassador Hisao for introducing kendo in Namibia, noting that it offers a platform for Namibians to embrace and integrate these aspects into their complex culture.



John Kapinga, a 22-year-old participant, shared his personal experience with kendo, having joined the sport in 2021. He highlighted how kendo has taught him discipline, self-respect, etiquette, and self-control.



Andre Pienaar, president of the Namibia Kendo Federation, noted that kendo has been growing in popularity in Namibia since its introduction in 2015. With two active clubs in Windhoek, Pienaar emphasized the sport’s potential impact: “If we can improve the character of our future generation through kendo and be able to have better-quality Namibian citizens in the end, then we have achieved our aim.”