Self-defence empowers Macsteel interns

Macsteel has introduced an empowering programme to equip 100 interns and learners with self-defence skills that will help ensure their safety.

The Krav Maga self-defence training programme for 100 of Macsteel’s interns and learners, split equally across gender-lines, will provide them with greater self-confidence and ensure their safety during daily commutes to work, as well as customer and site visits.

“This is an exciting initiative that ensures participating Macsteel interns and learners are well-equipped in awareness training, safe behaviour, mental and physical conditioning and effective strategy for self-defence,” said Kim Allan, Macsteel’s group corporate social responsibility manager.

“Feedback from our interns and learners showed that many were being harassed on their daily journeys to and from work.

“Most rely on public transport and often complete their journey on foot, which makes them the most vulnerable to unwanted approaches or unacceptable behaviour from strangers.

“Unfortunately, we can’t take responsibility for employee safety to and from work, but we are pleased to be making a real difference by empowering them with self-defence skills that will also benefit them with self-confidence.”

Allan co-opted Anthony Segal of iDEFEND to train interns and learners in Krav Maga self-defence, situational awareness and personal safety skills.

The course includes reading a situation before it is too late, using one’s voice to draw attention to unwanted advances and ensuring one’s personal space is maintained.

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Furthermore, they learn how to counter bullying, protect themselves and their families from attackers, and improve fitness levels and weight loss.

“Krav Maga is the ideal self-defence technique,” Segal said.

“Originally developed for the Israeli army, it is now successfully applied to meet safety needs in civilian life.

“The steel company’s interns and learners will learn self-defence and fighting skills, as well as protection measures against verbal, and physical harassment.

“Women are more likely to be identified as easy targets because they are generally smaller than men, but Krav Maga teaches them how to power a kick or punch using their body weight.”

Krav Maga’s three keys are awareness, prevention and self-confidence.

“It teaches you how to spot danger and be able to get away, how to avoid problems before they become more serious and most importantly, you gain self-confidence because you know you can deal with a problem if it arises,” Segal explained.

Staff, interns and learners participating in the self-defence classes, which Macsteel provides, receive a choice of either a cost subsidised mini-taser or pepper spray to offer them further support in defending themselves.

Allan added that youth development programmes are maintained throughout the year as the company wants its interns and learners to be well-developed all-rounders.

“The safety course provides some of these skills and it also ties in with Macsteel’s long-standing philosophy of caring for our staff first and foremost by empowering them through much-needed life skills,” said Allan.

“The Krav Maga self-defence training addresses very real insecurities and vulnerabilities that, unfortunately, are part of life in South Africa.”

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za

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