About Us
Evert (Ave) Vink, one of the original disciples of Master Sū Jīn Miǎo (蘇金淼), started the Durban Shun Wu Tang Centre in 1986. Since then, it has been the home of the Qishi Long (The Knight Dragons): the name that was given to the dedicated students of the Durban Kwoon/Guan (training hall/school).
Having studied under Leo Sebregts at the Shaolin Martial Arts Centre and becoming a “senior instructor” , Shifu Ave together with a few other senior instructors, sought out authentic Traditional Chinese Martial Arts after seeing a demonstration by Master Sū Jīn Miǎo (蘇金淼) . Master Su came to South Africa as an ambassador of Taiwan and inspected the level of Chinese Martial Arts in the country. He was very disappointed with what he found and after countless pleas from various individuals, he decided to teach a select few, his authentic heritage.
Shifu Ave and the others, under went a rigorous training program to get them up to the necessary requirements to start instruction in the Shun Wu Tang system. This was a no-nonsense approach to training and Master Su accepted no excuses. The seniors sacrificed family, friends, and careers in order to meet the requirements that Shun Wu Tang expected, paving the way for the future generations.
The Smith Street Kwoon was started in 1990 (relocated from Umbilo), above the Tong Lok restaurant in a Chinese style building. The Kwoon had two floors of training and housed the 20 man Dragon, Kou Tai, awarded to Shun Wu Tang by the Taiwanese embassy. The school was home to many professional fighters and sporting champions, and due to Shifu Ave’s military background, it was also a training ground for the special forces in the police and military. In 1993, the Kwoon moved to the first floor of Kayrod House in Winder Street where it boasted a much bigger training floor, and separate sparring floor with wall to wall Lei Tai mats. The Kwoon donned the official SWT colours and Chinese theme, together with huge mirrors, weapons racks, punching bags, speed balls, free weights and exercise machines, change rooms, visitor’s area, office, stock room, and once again housed Kou Tai.
Shifu Ave taught various classes besides the regular junior and senior, group classes. He held private training for his military students, as well as self defense classes dealing in urban conflict and crowd control. There were Dragon Dancing classes on Saturdays, and various sparring and invitational fight classes. Many other full contact styles would come to train with us due to our involvement in Kuoshu full contact fighting (at the time, regarded as the Toughest Tournament in the World)
When Shifu Ave passed away in 1997, his senior students assumed responsibility of the class until SWTSA appointed a new instructor to run the Kwoon. This instructor could not handle the leadership of such a large and highly developed school, so he backed down, leaving the school abandoned. The school was forced to close down to the general public, but the Knight Dragons continued their training privately under the guidance of Shifu Malcolm Hansen, Head of Shun Wu Tang South Africa, as well as Chairman of The South African Kuoshu Authority.
The last remaining Knight Dragons had to travel to Gauteng every month (sometimes twice a month) to remain in the system and to further their knowledge. They had to overcome various hardships including car accidents, attempted hijackings, and numerous physical injuries, to continue their training. In 2003, Shun Wu Tang Durban was officially re-opened to the public, due to constant requests from Traditional Chinese Martial Arts enthusiasts. Many martial artists from various other styles and schools approached the seniors, wanting to learn this ancient warrior art, while the new trends were moving away from Traditional styles of training. Kody Chetty was a known “Doorman” and circuit fighter, and was constantly asked about his fighting style after tournaments or “altercations”, to which he would reply,” I am a Knight Dragon.” This would always spark conversations about the history of both the “Durban scene”, as well as Martial Arts in general.
The Knight Dragons, realizing that there was a need for Shun Wu Tang system to be taught to the public again, started training and teaching at the Durban Thekweni College on Henry Road in Morningside. Classes were held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and consisted mainly of students from other styles of martial arts who had encountered the Knight Dragons either in competition or saw them at competitions. Due to the increasing number of students, the school relocated a year later to the Sherwood Hall, where more training time was allocated for junior and senior classes. The Kwoon sought to re-establish its name and reputation in the Martial Arts world through tournaments, competitions, demos, and spreading awareness through growth. In 2006 (after a 9 year hiatus) the Knight Dragons brought home 11 medals at the South African Kuoshu Championships including overall tournament champion.
Shun Wu Tang Durban now boasts a full senior class of dedicated Knight Dragons, determined to continue the traditions as passed down by Master Su.