Meet Sensei John Barnett

•  Born 24/12/1948 

•  Lived in Benoni since 1958 

• Went to Tom Newby Primary School and then Benoni High 

• Started Judo in 1960 and then Karate at the Benoni Karate & Judo Centre in Rothsay Street (The old Traffic Department).

• Trained under Sensei Tony Van Der Laan up until Brown Belt, then under Sensei Stan Schmidt at the Orange Grove Dojo in Johannesburg. 

• Excellent tuition and experience – tough, especially the early morning classes. 

• Went to England in 1972 armed with an Introductory letter from Sensei Stan to train under Sensei Enoeda (Marshall St Dojo – London) – a very old 10 story building. The Dojo was above the Swimming Pool near Carnaby Street, famous for ‘Mod’ clothing – eg. Beatles Sensei Enoeda was assisted by Sensei Tomita, Sensei Enoeda’s kicks and punches were incredibly powerful – Frightening in fact! 

• I trained throughout Europe under many famous instructors such as Senseis Kase (France), Shirai (Italy) and some ‘Dodgy’ karate instructors as well. I remember ‘monkey style’ in Barcelona, Spain. 

• I graded to 1st Black Belt in Dundee, Scotland in 1972 after a course run by Sensei Enoeda. 

• After a brief stay in Cardiff, Wales, training under Sensei Kanazawa, Andy Sherry and Mike O’Brien, I moved back to South Africa, Benoni in 1975. 

• Before doing so and after a few sessions at the ‘Red Triangle Club’ in Liverpool I attended the Enoeda Sensei’s Summer course at Crystal Palace in London. 

• I graded to 2nd Dan Black Belt after the course in 1974. 

• I have been to Japan four times and have attended, trained and judged at the WSKF ( World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation) world championships. 

• Graded 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th Dan in Tokyo, Japan – under Sensei Kasuya. 

• I graded to my 8th Dan in 2018 under the well-known Sensei Nigel Jackson (9th Dan), an Icon in the Karate world. 

• Together we formed an International Organization called NWS (New World Shotokan) in the course of last year. The organization is controlled by a group of senior and high graded instructors locally and Internationally. 

• The Head Quarters are based in South Africa. 

• The Chairman is Sensei Nigel Jackson – 9th Dan. 

Other: 

Married for 44 years to Ingrid and we have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I still train and instruct at our clubs in Benoni, Boksburg and Brakpan. These clubs are managed by Sensei Takis (7th Dan), Janien (7th Dan), Sensei Chris (4th Dan) and Sensei Thandu (3rd Dan), accomplished and brilliant instructors who I am very proud of. 

• I am a practicing Christian and attend the Northfield Methodist Church.
• I have a love for Classic Sports Cars and own a 1964 Sunbeam Tiger and a 1976 VW Beetle. I love powerful cars in general.
• I have my own Financial Planning Company called ‘Invest- Assured Financial Planning (Pty) Ltd and formed this company in 1997 and we are situated in Northmead, Benoni. 

Member of International Shihankai

Budo (Traditional) & Sport Karate and other Martial Arts – All Ages – from children aged 5 – adults up to 100 years of age.

29 Nestadt Street, Rynfield, Benoni 

082 450 0069 

[email protected] 

New World Shotokan SA