Co-founder of Magua Taekwon-Do Group (MTG) Norman Magua has spent the past 28 years teaching taekwon-do, as well as facilitating basic self defence courses.
He recently hosted a self-defence workshop in Melville, which helped raise funds for Joburg Child Welfare. In his presentation, he shared useful tips women could incorporate into their daily lives to help make them feel safer as they travel around the city.
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Here is what he had to say:
What is self-defence?
• Self-defence is the act of defending oneself, one’s property, or the well-being of another from physical harm.
Situational awareness
• Situational awareness is the ability to gauge your surroundings for possible threats. This is the first line of self-defence. Anything thereafter is actually plan B. Real self-defence is essentially not finding yourself in the middle of a dangerous situation in the first place. Here, in Johannesburg, this is of real importance, because of the violent crimes that can occur. Being involved in a hijacking, a violent assault, or an armed house or business robbery is a very real possibility. Awareness of your surroundings is always essential.
MTG’s traffic light colour codes
Simple and easy to remember rules of thumb for effective situational awareness.
• Green: Relaxed but aware. Minimum accepted level when in public,
• Orange: Potential threat identified. Attempt to verify and evade if necessary, and
• Red: Threat verified, execute necessary response.
Trust your instincts
• Rather be slightly inconvenienced, if necessary, if you feel uncomfortable with a certain situation. An example could be getting into an elevator with people that make you feel uneasy. Rather wait for the next one. You could even make up a quick excuse, such as forgot something, if you feel the need.
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Tips to avoid being a victim: Projecting confidence is key
• One should not be distracted, especially by phones, and project alertness.
• Walk with purpose and subtly look around once in a while. Often catching the eye of a potential threat can deter them.
• Criminals and bullies are looking for easy targets who don’t project confidence, such as slouching, eyes down, or blissfully unaware.
• Walk with shoulders back and with purpose, doing so goes a long way in deterring these sorts of predators.
• You should also, preferably, walk in groups, or with another person, where possible.
Disguised guard
• A position to stand in that is natural and doesn’t indicate readiness to defend oneself. This helps to not escalate a situation, while being ready to spring into action immediately if necessary.
Striking techniques
• Palm Strike,
• Arc Hand,
• Elbow,
• Knee,
• Front Stomp kick, and
• Foot Stomp.
Examples of make shift weapons
• Keys,
• Bag,
• Pen,• Phone,
• Sand,
• Shoes, and
• Chairs.
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