African Reporter and Addie staff learn basic self-defence

Adam Strever, from Elite Defence Academy (EDA) Springs, took the staff from the Springs Advertiser and African Reporter through a few self-defence moves in a team-building workshop last Friday.

May 18, 2018

Samantha Keogh 1 minute read

Adam Strever demonstrates, on Xoliswa Kali, how to disable a knife-wielding attacker and render the person powerless to inflict more harm. Gugu Ngwenya looks on.

Aided by Nancy Martins, a Krav Maga student at EDA, Adam showed us how to handle ourselves in a number of situations, should we find ourselves being attacked.

Nancy Martins blocks a high attack from Adam Strever.

Adam explains that Krav Maga is not a martial art, but a combat system which was developed as a military self-defence system to be used by the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Forces.

Using a series of manoeuvres, Adam showed the staff how the smallest among us can turn an attack, by the largest attacker, to our advantage in a number of situations.

Xoliswa Kali blocks an attack from knife-wielding Gugu Ngwenya.

He commented that in his experience, most women’s greatest worry is being grabbed and choked – be it from a frontal or rear attack.

For this reason, he concentrated on manoeuvres which allow the victim to free themselves if choked either with an arm from behind or both the attacker’s hands in a frontal affront.

He also showed the women how to use household items, including magazines, as weapons to repel the attacker, launch a counter-attack and make a getaway.

Adam Strever of EDA talks Doreen Mokgolo (centre) and Gugu Ngwenya how to free yourself from being choked from the front.

Chatting with the women, Nancy shared how her training in Krav Maga has brought her peace of mind knowing that she would be able to protect herself and her loved ones should the need arise.

The staff were all very impressive with their new knowledge and thoroughly enjoyed spending some time together outside the office.

“It was really enlightening.

Xoliswa Kali escapes from Adam Stever’s hold around her neck to turn the tables on Adam and put him in a compromising position from which he would not be able to continue his attack.

“It makes you realise the dangers lurking out there and how we can help ourselves,” says news editor Izahn Krige.

Xoliswa Kali adds: “As much as we were learning and training, I feel they unleashed something that was already inside of me – the instinct to protect myself in dangerous situations.

“I feel safer now.”

Doreen Mokgolo says: “I am grateful for the opportunity because I am now armed with skills to protect myself in an emergency.”

Siphokazi Zama (left) counters an attack by Doreen Mokgolo with “alien hand”, poking her in the eyes and giving Siphokazi time to make her escape.

Adam offers weekly Krav Maga classes, as well as anti-hijack seminars and workshops, aimed at teaching people to defend themselves in everyday situations which can be booked as part of an office team-building session.