By Nomfundo Mbatha
As violent crimes and gender-based violence (GBV) against women and children continue to rise, Smhart Security, in collaboration with the Full Gospel Church, hosted a self-defense class for women on Saturday, 10 May.
The air at the church buzzed with energy and determination as women gathered for what many described as a life-saving session, led by self-defence trainer Shane Engelbrecht.
The session was about blocking punches, building confidence, cultivating strength, and fostering a sense of community.
Zoe Landsberg, PHD student at Rhodes University, with a personal motivation, “This is not my first physical training; my boyfriend helps me train. I have been in an armed robbery before, so I came today to learn real strategies to defend myself in a dangerous situation,” she said. That experience, she added, has made her unexpectedly resilient.
More than anything, the participants were there to learn how to prevent, deflect, and stay one step ahead of danger.
Engelbrecht’s approach struck a powerful chord. His emphasis on mindset and technique over brute strength was praised, with his breakdown of standing and preparation stances described as transformative.
“The first thing you should do when coming across a threat is observe,” said Engelbrecht, “ask yourself, how badly do you want to live?” He continued to say women should not be afraid to do anything to protect themselves. “We are teaching dirty street fight, so do whatever you can to protect yourself, because attackers won’t think twice.”
Magda Botha, a pastor at the Full Gospel Church, also took part. “I am a single mom with two children, and we are part of a statistic,” she said. “I work with a lot of students, especially young female students, and I found that it’s necessary because many of them face harassment or worse. I also want my daughter to be equipped.”
Though the class was about training your body to be flexible to defend itself from danger, this session served another purpose; it was a fundraising event for a non-profit organisation that supports women and children who have been affected by GBV.
Laughter often echoed through the hall, even when some participants struggled with shoulder flexibility. The mood remained upbeat, and when asked if they’d recommend the class, the response was unanimous: “Absolutely.”
