As gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide increase, more women want to equip themselves with self-defence skills.
This was an observation by Nobuhle Vundla, the owner of Silo Shotokan, a martial arts club based in Protea Glen, Soweto. Vundla started the school with qualified instructor Mduduzi Jiyane to teach kids skills to defend themselves.
The demand for the classes has seen the duo also adding adult classes six months ago. They have nine adults, with women dominating the classes – which are three times during the week for an hour.
“With the increase of GBV we have seen a lot of parents wanting to join even though some cannot make the 4pm class because of work commitments. Most of them when they inquire about classes, you can see that it comes from the fear of not feeling safe.
“GBV has really gone out of hand and we are living in fear. I do not blame them for wanting to empower themselves. The kidnappings, killings and rapping of young girls call for a change in how we raise kids.”
When Sowetan visited their classes at Acudeo College recently, Vundla had her hands full. It started out with a session for both kids and parents learning tricks to defend themselves. The class was conducted by Jiyane and it had women, girls, boys and men.
Sharleen Jones, a mother of two kids, was among the parents who joined the self-defence classes. “These classes are very important to protect yourself and know how to do that. I am a single mother and I need to know how to protect my family.”
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The 37-year-old mother started the classes in 2018 when she moved to Protea Glen and realised that the only sport for kids was just soccer.
“I was looking for a sport that can keep my kids busy. I inquired on how I can open my own. I met Mduduzi [Jiyane] and we started the classes with two kids and now we have 58 kids.”
Jiyane believes that karate is not only for self defence but it taught kids discipline and boosted their confidence. He said since they started there has been a lot of academic improvement to some of the kids.
“We teach them to be good judges of character and be able to see potential threats. They are taught to arrest the situation before it gets out of hand.”
“We teach them social skills so that they do not become loners. When you are alone criminals target you easily. Some have used the self-defence lessons to deal with bullying at school. It is very important for everyone to understand his or her surroundings and be able to notice danger.”
One of the students, Noluthando Mthethwa, who started in 2020, believes that the classes were very crucial for women and girls because they are vulnerable. Though the 14-year-old has not encountered any dangerous situation that would make her want to defend herself, she is confident in the skills she has learned.
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