In light of Women’s Month and in response to the alarming levels of violence against women in South Africa, including the rising crime rates in Ekurhuleni, learners and teachers at Birchleigh High School (Hoërskool Birchleigh) in Kempton Park recently participated in self-defence classes.
Led by Sensei Tony de Beer, founder member and assistant chief instructor of the International Shorei Martial Arts Academy, as well as the owner of Eastrand Goju Ryu and Birchleigh Martial Arts Academy, these sessions aimed to empower Birchleigh High School participants with the latest self-defence techniques. Specialising in the ‘Okinawan Goju Ryu’ style of fighting, de Beer believes that self-defence is the key to women unlocking their ability to protect themselves.
“This fighting style involves flexible circular movements where the person learns to use their opponent’s power against them to eliminate them, which makes it ideal for people who are small in frame, and in this case, ideal for the young ladies taking part,” says de Beer.
From abusive partners to carjacking and house robberies, the skills taught in the recent self-defence classes will help both teachers and learners navigate traumatic and potentially life-altering events. De Beer, who has been a martial arts expert for over 50 years and has even trained police officers in his career, taught a class to 60 participants that helped them protect themselves and reduce the threat of danger in their everyday lives.
“When a perpetrator approaches, particularly when they target women, they can either grab your shoulders, neck, arm or even pull your hair to bring you closer. The idea is to exert dominance over you, but with a few basic skills and a great deal of practice, young girls and women can gain the confidence to take them on,” adds de Beer.
During the hour-long session, the Birchleigh High School teachers and girl learners learnt basic self-defence skills, which de Beer says they can continue to build on and develop with more practice in the future.
Mrs Myrtle Hendricks, Deputy Principal at Birchleigh High School, says that the skills learners and teachers will develop through the self-defence classes will be invaluable for several reasons.
“Self-defence training fosters a sense of empowerment. This can be particularly important for learners, especially girls and young women, in building confidence and resilience. For teachers, it can provide peace of mind and a sense of control over their safety, both within and outside the school environment,” says Mrs Hendricks.
“The confidence gained from knowing how to defend oneself can also reduce the anxiety related to safety concerns. For both learners and teachers, this can contribute to a more positive and focused learning and teaching environment,” she adds.
While Women’s Month in South Africa commemorates the sacrifices made by women and celebrates their achievements and struggles, the country continues to grapple with one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world. This creates an inherently unsafe environment for girls and women, with even schools becoming sites of fear as incidents of violence rise. Despite this bleak reality, initiatives like these self-defence classes are helping to transform victimhood into empowerment, allowing women and girls to reclaim their power.
Chaunece James, Sales and Marketing Operations Manager at Vuma, adds, “Creating safer communities is a major priority for the country, and it starts with ensuring young girls have access to the right tools and opportunities that will help build their confidence to defend themselves against the inherent dangers around them. Our partnership with the school and Sensei Tony not only equips girls with practical skills but also contributes to building a safer, more connected and empowered community.
“The positive ripple effect of this is that communities gradually become safer spaces for women as initiatives like this raise awareness about the importance of personal safety and can inspire others in the community to take steps towards self-protection and empowerment in their daily lives,” he says.
Those interested in pursuing self-defence classes with Sensei Tony de Beer can visit www.shoreimartialarts.co.za/ for more information. Victims of abuse can find support at tears.co.za/.