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South African Koi Keepers Society
This non-profit organisation was established on 1 April 1988 by a small group of koi keepers who sought an opportunity to gain and share knowledge of this fledgling hobby. Terry Sole, then the most experienced of the keepers, was instrumental in bringing the group together. The inaugural meeting was held on the farm of Mike Melanie (Corrilock) and attended by, amongst others, Terry Sole, Ian Hopkins, Chris Neaves, Neville and Louis Marais, Barry Engelbrecht and Ken Sandison. Terry Sole became the first chairman of the society.
The SAKKS logo was designed by Terry Sole and Nick Turner. The koi seen as "living jewels" is placed on a diamond which makes it uniquely South African in our mineral enriched country.
The first year consisted of 33 members and under Terry Sole's chairmanship, a membership drive was launched resulting in the count going up to 76 members. At the monthly meetings, talks and workshops were presented which held high appeal for new koi keepers.
Chris Neaves took over the chairmanship in 1990, followed by Dr Neville Marias (1992), Alan Nemenzik (1994), Mobin Bhikhoo (1995) and Mike Harvey (1996), Richard Cockcroft (1998), Brian Lee (2000), Renè Schoenmaker (2004), Kevin Harrison (2006) and Kevin Till (2008). Honorary memberships have been awarded to Barry Engelbrecht, Chris Neaves, Neville Marais, Sarel van Rensburg, Mike Harvey and Harry Beckx for their valued input and hours of relentless dedication.
Regional interest prompted the creation of SAKKS chapters in 1993. The Eastern Cape, Natal, Western Cape and Orange Free State Chapters were formed. Errol Cooper in the Western Cape, Pierre Jordaan in the former Orange Free State (now Free State) and Charles Barnard in the former Natal (now Kwazulu Natal), June and Gene Fincham in the Eastern Cape and more recently Willie Geldenhuys in the Southern Cape. By the end of 1994 the membership of the SAKKS and its chapters had swelled to 386.
The SAKKS is the principal role player in promoting interest in the hobby. It serves in disseminating information and educating members with regard to koi keeping, koi appreciation, health care and arranges annual Koi Shows around South Africa.
SAKKS establishes and maintains contact with koi keeper societies abroad, including the Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA), Nishigoi Vereniging Nederlands, South East Section BKKS (UK), Belguim Koi Society to mention a few.
SAKKS gained Chapter status of the ZNA in 1993 which gives the Society and South Africa formal recognition in the world of koi. Principally through its link with the ZNA, SAKKS members have been invited to attend international koi shows as trainee judges at the time. It has established close ties with koi societies in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. SAKKS boasts with two ZNA Assistant Certified Judges (Mike Harvey and Harry Beckx) two Local Certified Judges (Brian Welch and Renè Schoenmaker) as well as a number of SAKKS Certified Judges who judge locally and abroad.
The first SAKKS Newsletter was published in 1990 and comprised all of six paragraphs. In 1991, Chris Neaves and Ian Hopkins coined the title KOISA. Koisa is the monthly full colour publication, which is crammed with news and articles on koi and koi keeping and distributed to all members. Members also receive comprehensive manuals on health care, medication and feeding upon joining the society.
S.A.K.K.S National Koi Shows
1990 The 1st National Show was held at the Rosebank Primary School in Rosebank Johannesburg where 270 fish were entered and Tony Harrison won the Supreme Grand Champion with his Showa. The judges were Mitsuo Nakamori and Megumi Yoshida both from Japan.
1991 At the 2nd National Show held at Rosebank Primary School, a total of 350 fish were entered. In those days people like Dr Neville Marais would actually sleep on site to keep a watchful eye on the fish. Supreme Grand Champion went to a Show owned by Tony Harrison. The judges were Masao Kato (Japan) Dr Mao-Lin Tsai (Taiwan) Vincent Chiu (Taiwan), Chuang Sheng-Yen (Taiwan).
1992 The 3rd National Koi Show was once again held at Rosebank Primary School. Tony Harrison once again took the Supreme Grand Champion with a Showa. The judges were Masao Kato (Japan), Dr Mao-Lin Tsai (Taiwan) and Katsushi Takeda (Japan)
1993 This was the first time that the National Show was held at a public venue – Cresta Shopping Centre. The Society now had a new chairman, namely Neville Marais. The judges for this show were Hiroshi Masuda (Japan), Kent Chang (Taiwan) and Kevin Chang (Taiwan). There were 382 show entries. The special variety for this year was the Bekko. Tony Harrison once again won the Supreme Grand Champion but his time with his Shiro Utsuri.
1994 The 5th National Show under the chairmanship of Alan Nemenzik moved to Eastgate Shopping Centre and our judges were Hiroshi Masuda (Japan) and Katsushi Takeda (Japan). There were 656 show entries and the special variety was Kujaku. The Supreme Grand Champion was a 68cm Kohaku owned by the Plant Market.
The first Western Cape Show was also held in this year at the Waterfront in Cape Town.
1995 The show returned to Cresta Shopping Centre for the 6th National Show. The new chairman was Mike Harvey. A total of 400 fish were entered and despite the rain we had approximately 3000 visitors. The special variety for 1995 was the Kinginrin. We were also honored to have Alan Nementzik (a past chairman) at our gala dinner. The Supreme Grand Champion was won by Mobin Bhikoo with his 63cm Showa. The judges were Hiroshi Masuda (Japan), Hiromi Kimura (Japan), Sheng-Jen Chuang (Taiwan), Bob and Joan Finnegan (USA), Katsushi Takeda (Japan), Vincent Chiu (Taiwan), Kai-Yuan Liu (Taiwan).
The first SAKBF Young Koi Show was held at Cresta Shopping Centre. The show has now become an annual event, named The Baby Koi Show with koi not exceeding 45cm.
1996 The 7th National Show was again held at Cresta Shopping Centre and this time the weather was kind to us. Our dealers had now come to the party with their magnificent display stands which at the end of the day attract new members. The special variety for 1996 was the Asagi and there were 430 show entries. The Supreme Grand Champion was awarded to Mike Harvey for his 58 cm Kohaku known as Baby Face. There were 430 koi entries. The judges were Hiroshi Masuda (Japan), Masao Kato (Japan) and Katsushi Takeda (Japan) and Kai-Yuan Liu (Taiwan).
1997 Our 8th National Show which attracted 485 entries, once again saw a Kohaku take the Supreme Grand Champion – a 62 cm Kohaku (Eye Brows) owned by Grenville Wilson who proudly went up to collect his trophies and acknowledged the crowd’s good wishes. There were 485 show entries and the special variety was Tancho. This was also the second year that Pet Life through Barry Engelbrecht of Sandton Aquatic had sponsored our show. The judges were Hiroshi Masuda (Japan), Masao Kato (Japan) and Katsushi Takeda (Japan) and Bob Finnegan (USA).
1998 The 9th S.A.K.K.S National Show was again held at Cresta. With our National chairman, Rick Cockcroft. There were a total of 409 entries. The most rewarding was signing up 37 new members. The special variety was Hikari Mujimono. The judges were Masao Kato (Japan), Hiroshi Masuda (Japan), Katsushi Takeda (Japan), Yeung Tung Shing (Hong Kong) and Kai-Yuan Liu (China). The Supreme Grand Champion at this show was awarded to Jack Walters with his magnificent 64 cm Kohaku.
1999 All koi shows were cancelled in this year due to the outbreak of KHV in South Africa and other parts of the world.
2000 We have recently celebrated our 10th National Show, known as the Aqua master S.A.K.K.S. National Koi Show, under the chairmanship of Brian Lee. Due to some of our top entrant members re-locating, there was a decline to 393 entries. Wu Tai Hsiang won Supreme Grand Champion with a stunning 72 cm Sanke.
2001 The 11th National Koi Show was held at Cresta Shopping Centre under the chairmanship of Brian Lee. A total of 353 koi entered on show. Supreme Grand Champion went to Roy Pillay with his Showa. Special variety for the year was Kawarimono. The judges were Hiroshi Masuda (Japan), Dr Masao Okabe (Japan), Tsuyoshi Tokutake (Japan), Kai-Yuan Liu (Taiwan), Ching Chuan Chung (China), Mike Harvey (South Africa) and Harry Beckx (South Africa).
2002 The 12th National Koi Show was held at Cresta Shopping Centre again under the chairmanship of Brian Lee. A total of 424 koi were entered on show. Roy Pillay took Supreme Grand Champion with a Sanke. The judges were Mayamasa Ikeda (Japan), Takeji Hattori (Japan), Tony Price (United Kingdom), Kate McGill (United Kingdom), Mike Harvey (South Africa) and Harry Beckx (South Africa).
2003 The 13th National Koi Show was held at Cresta Shopping Centre with this being Brian Lee's last term as chairman.
2004 This was particularly a devastating year as all koi shows were cancelled due to another outbreak of KHV in South Africa and other parts of the world. As a precautionary measure, SAKKS decided not to hold any shows.
2005 For the first time in South Africa's koi keeping history was a show held in the "English" style. This means that each koi entrant had his or her own show vat. This was to change the face of judging in South Africa as no longer would koi be mixed with other entrants.
2006 At the 15th National Koi Show held at Cresta Shopping Centre, Renè Schoenmaker experimented with a new show layout. Dealers were placed in a dealer section with the show vats in another. The visiting overseas judges included Mr Ikeda (Japan), Mr Isao Tsukihashi (Japan), Bernie Woolands (UK) and Bob Brudd (USA). Brian Lee took Supreme Grand Champion with his Ginrin Showa measuring 77cm which he purchased in Japan at around 45cm. Special variety was Utsurimono.
2007 Dr Kevin Harrison was elected as National Chairman and it was decided that the National Koi Show would be hosted in Kwazulu Natal. This was the first time that the show moved out of the Gauteng province. It was agreed that the National Koi Show would alternate between Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal. The invited judges included, Mr Ikeda (Japan), Mr Yokoyama (Japan), Kate McGill (Australia), Tony Price (UK), Toën Feyen (Netherlands) and the trainee judges Gerard McDonald and Ian Andrews (Australia). Special variety for the year was Kinginrin B.
2008 Dr Kevin Harrison served his second term as chairman and the 17th National Koi Show returned to Cresta Shopping Centre. This show attracted 563 koi. Angelo Kondes took Supreme Grand Champion with a magnificent 84cm Sanke. Goshiki was the special variety selected for this year.
2009 Kevin Till was elected as chairman. For the first time, the koi show moved from Cresta Shopping Centre to The Dome. The show also moved from the month of May and was brought forward to March to coincide with the Gardenex Show. It was the first time that the Koi Show was held indoors. The Supreme Grand Champion went to Steve Smit with his Kohaku.
The National Koi Show was held at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Kwazulu Natal in July. The Supreme Grand Champion was a Sanke owned by Paul Coetzee. The Special variety for this year was the Shusui.