In Pursuit of Empowerment: Sensei Nellie Kleinsmidt, Race and Gender Challenges in South Africa

Petronella (Nellie) Kleinsmidt, is both affectionately and respectfully called Sensei Nellie or Sensei, meaning instructor, by her colleagues and students. Sensei Nellie is regarded as the 'Grandmother of karate in Africa' and at the age of fifty-nine is recognized as the most senior female karate-ka (a person practising karate) on the African continent.