Various partners put their resources together to support a successful Women’s Self Defence seminar, designed by On Point Protection Skills International (OPPS), and held at the Fight Sports Centre at Key West in Bedfordview on 23 October.
Given the escalating Gender Based Violence (GBV) statistics in South Africa, founder of Fight Sports Centre, Brendon Katz, hosted an international training company to deliver the most effective defence techniques to attendees at the sold out seminar. Some attendees travelled from as far as Mpumalanga to experience the seminar.
The seminar was supported by Blue Hawk Tactical, a specialised security services organisation combining technology and tactically trained personnel that looks after over 1000 residents between Bedfordview and Bruma and is committed to protecting the community, not just through physical security, but by empowering citizens in self-defence initiatives.
On Point Protection Skills (OPPS) has branches in Gauteng, Cape Town and Canada. Founder of OPPS, Vincent May, is one of the original Close Quarter Combat Instructors from the ’90s. ‘Many Self Defence courses begin with hands-on techniques. The OPPS programme focuses on mental preparation first and how to identify threats and options to safeguard yourself so you don’t have to always be fighting or physically protecting. Prevention is better than cure. What makes this course effective is that it is so well designed with both international and local concepts and the process must be followed,’ said May.
‘There are also many mindset changes around what true defence is. One does not have to be an athlete, nor have a fighting background to do these. The majority of people have busy lives and don’t get to a gym or weekly fighting lessons. OPPS guarantees that after this three hour seminar, each attendee will be able to take out a stationary threat in two seconds or less.’
May said there is a dire need for realistic and uncomplicated training for men and women to combat attacks. What you see on social media may be glamorised, unproven and can get one hurt, and the criminals have learnt to circumvent your defence because they learn from social media as well.
OPPS runs courses all over South Africa and also delivers Masterclass Talks to schools and corporates. A lot of focus is given to toxicity in relationships and and how children are raised. A child’s upbringing dictates their emotional and mental health, and actions in their future, whether they become bullies or the victims, abusers or the abused. You may have heard the saying, ’Hurt people, hurt people.’ OPPS strives to help change the mindset of adults and children going down the path of crime and abuse. May said that he is teaching self defence because the criminals are a result of how they were raised.
May added, ‘We will not get rid of crime in South Africa in the near future, however the more the community invests in proper training and protecting themselves, remaining vigilant, sticking together and acting against crime, the less crime we may have to fight, and avoid becoming a statistic. I’m also satisfied and privileged to have partnered with professional companies who sincerely care for people.
What attendees said:
‘What I did like is using very simple movements that everyone can learn, without having to exert yourself. You don’t have to be strong and agile, you just need to know the movements.’
‘I learnt some really quick techniques that would help me get out of situations.’
‘When I first started this course, there was feelings of anxiety with all the different scenarios, but now I feel like you are able to do something, to protect yourself if something were to happen.’
‘It wasn’t all serious, we had so much fun throughout the seminar. Three hours goes by so fast that you want to carry on because there was so much laughter and things to learn.’
ON POINT PROTECTION SKILLS (OPPS)
+27 82 516 8815
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