Women from all parts of Fourways took part in a free self-defence class as QuanWessels Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy and Tribe Martial Arts Foundation celebrated Women’s Day by equipping women with practical skills to help them respond to potentially dangerous situations.

The session focused on giving participants more than just physical techniques, with coaches teaching women how to assess situations, avoid danger where possible and respond if they are confronted by an attacker.

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Coach Norman Chef Wessels said self-defence was chosen as a way of giving women practical tools and “a fighting chance” in difficult situations.

“Self-defence is the best way to give women positive tools to improve their probability of fighting back, to give them a fighting chance in a difficult scenario that requires a little bit of systems and sequences to help the situation.”

The class covered scenarios that included being grabbed by the hands, head or hair, as well as what women could do if an attacker wrestled them to the ground.

Participants were also shown ways to try to control a situation when they are on their backs and in a submissive position.

Wessels said the aim was to ensure women understood that they have options when faced with a threatening situation.

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“They have an opportunity to fight back. They have an opportunity to do something, and they have a choice about what the outcome is going to be like.”

The academy also incorporated basic medical training into the session, highlighting the importance of knowing how to respond to injuries and heavy bleeding.

Wessels explained that medical knowledge could be useful in a range of emergencies, from violent encounters to everyday incidents such as car accidents or cuts.

He said free community self-defence seminars form part of the academy’s wider efforts to give back to the community.

“Because we have daughters, we have wives, we have sisters. We have a responsibility to try and help our community and empower our community as much as possible.”

For participant Lynette Ngwenya, attending the class was an opportunity to gain knowledge that she wished she had possessed earlier.

“I just wanted more information on self-defence and, with it being Women’s Month, I thought it was important to learn how to protect myself.”

Ngwenya said she had experienced situations where she felt unsafe and wished she had known some of the techniques taught during the class.

“Your body is actually a weapon, and if you’ve got the knowledge and the tools, you can protect yourself.”

Another participant, Devona Mudaly, said she attended after being introduced to the academy by a friend who trains there.

She said the experience left her feeling good and excited to explore self-defence further.

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