By Linathi Nomntsetse
On National Women’s Day (9 August), the Rhodes University Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) club, Rhodes University Taekwondo and the Rhodes Black Lawyers Association (BLA) hosted a self-defence class at Rhodes University Mixed Martial Arts Dojo to teach women how to defend themselves physically and legally.
The legal aspect was important to clarify what constitutes lawful self-defence, as there often needs to be more clarity about when and how one can legally defend oneself.
Thamsanqa Ndlovu, a member of the MMA club, alluded that “we wanted people not just to defend themselves physically, but to know how to do it in the bounds of their law. Hence the inclusion of BLA, who were courageous enough to come and help us with the legal side of it”.
While self-defence classes are regularly offered at the Rhodes Martial Arts Dojo, this event was larger because it involved multiple societies coming together. It was held during a month that highlights gender-based violence issues, such as the case of Uyinene Mrwetyana.
The timing of the event, coinciding with Women’s Month, underscored its significance. Celebrating women while addressing issues like gender-based violence, the program aimed to equip women with varied self-defence strategies.
August, being a month associated with reflecting on gender-based violence, provided a poignant backdrop for the event.
Meldret Nkuna, chairperson of the BLA, suggested that “because it is Women’s Month, we wanted just to help women equip themselves. That means, you know, most of the time in August, you see the cases of Uyinene and all other women that have been violently abused. So, we were like, what a great way of educating the Rhodes University body.”
The event had a good attendance from many Rhodes University students, especially female students. MMA club members took the participants through basic physical self-defence drills, and then, they engaged in a practice grappling challenge to test the few self-defence skills they had learnt.
Soon after, a member of the BLA hosted a seminar on lawful defence. He outlined the boundaries of lawful defence, ensuring attendees understood when their actions might cross legal lines. Then, at the end of the event, there were prizes won for attendees who showed outstanding enthusiasm in every part of the self-defence class.
