The Aikido Federation of South Africa was founded in 1970 thanks to the dedication of the founder members Paul de Beer, Fritz Zollner, with the institutional purpose of spreading in South Africa Aikido and traditional Japanese culture. In 1978, the proposal of the Ministry of Culture that recognizes the high educational and moral values which it bears, be awarded to non-profit organization .

The recognition by the state of public business and the place to erect non-profit organization with its attendant legal obligations, encourages the association to overcome the pioneering stage. Today the Aikikai has nearly 300 members, many of whom have obtained degrees yudansha from'Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters). Many members have continued and deepened, the path taken in the association, becoming passionate students of Aikido and Japanese culture. The organization of the Aikido Federation of South Africa is widespread throughout the country: in each region are in fact different dojo (or gyms, but the Japanese term has a broader meaning) in which they teach aikido.

The association in the context of its academic program each year a number of rallies, some of which are of international importance, which provide interesting addition to the practice of aikido lessons in history and culture of Japan and the Orient. These meetings are an opportunity to enrich not only cultural but human, giving the participants an opportunity to meet people from all over South Africa and the world.