Ladies – take action, learn self defence
"Confidence can only be built if you have skills. Skill plus confidence equals reflex action - that is what you require in the street. Your reflex action has to kick in and you will automatically defend yourself."
Widespread violence against women and children can engender feelings of despair, but some citizens have decided to take things into their own hands and fight back.
Lieutenant Colonel at SAPS Verulam, Rajeshree Govender, engaged with local karate Maestro, Hanshi Sonny Pillay, 8th Dan, president of Karate SA (KSA), a national All Stars Federation, and founder/chief instructor of Shotokan Karate-do International South Africa (SKISA), to offer free self defence classes to women of all ages.
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Also partnered with the programme is Njabulo Khumalo, former world karate champion and Protea fighter, and current Protea coach, as well as Karate Master Brando Pillay, six degree black belt, technical convener for KSA.
“We are addressing the issue in our own humble way,” said Pillay.
“Karate is a magnificent vehicle to address issues of violence against women, children and the elderly, however it does require consistent practice.”
Pillay believes confidence is key in being able to defend yourself.
“Confidence can only be built if you have skills. Skill plus confidence equals reflex action – that is what you require in the street. Your reflex action has to kick in and you will automatically defend yourself.”
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He also stressed the importance of physical fitness.
“What we are trying to do here is to impart self defence skills that are necessary out there on the street where our women and children are moving targets,” he said.
“We cannot depend on government alone. NGOs need to engage with people like us from the karate fraternity and other martial arts fraternities.”
Pillay believes every South African should take initiative and learn self defence.
“Every South African citizen needs to make a difference, only then can there be change.”
The next class will be on Friday, October 4 at 4.30pm at MiTime Fitness Studio for Women. 1st Floor, Dicks Centre, Arbee Drive, Tongaat.
Contact Rajeshree at 072 650 3632 for more information.
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