#WomensMonth: Women learn to fight back
Alarming statistics of gender based violence, and attacks on women have become so prevalent as to almost not shock society anymore.
AUGUST is women’s month, the time when South Africans traditionally remember the contribution women have made to our society.
Yet lately alarming statistics of gender-based violence and attacks on women have become so prevalent as to almost not shock society anymore.
Sensais Karin Prinsloo and Danie van Heerden of JKA Queensburgh have decided women need to be empowered to not only help them stay safe, but also to show men that women can, and do make a difference in society and should not be seen as potential victims.
Anyone who might try to pick a fight with Prinsloo would probably come off second best.
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A Sixth Dan sensei, Prinsloo is a champion in the sport of karate, having won a silver in the WKA All African games in Zimbabwe in 1995 and a double gold and bronze in the same championship in 1999 in Johannesburg.
She was also a member of the South African All Style Karate Team from 1992 to 2008. Prinsloo now runs the JKA Karate School in Pinetown where she teaches all ages the martial arts she practices.
Danie van Heerden who runs the Queensburgh JKA Dojo which has been running in Queensburgh for the past 47 years, describes the pint-sized Prinsloo as “his mentor”.
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The two have teamed up to ensure the Queensburgh area has the benefit of their collective experience and are also planning to teach self-defence classes to women and girls to give them the skills to take control of their own safety whatever situation they might find themselves in.
“Karate is as much about physical empowerment as it is about mental toughness and discipline,” explained Pinsloo at the Moth Hall where she and Van Heerden plan to teach women the basics of self-defence using the techniques they use in karate.
“It’s not a once-off course; self-defence is about being committed to knowing what to do when you need to,” she said, adding that while anyone can learn the tips and tricks of self-defence techniques, knowing your own body and how to use it when and where you need to is essential to make sure you have the ability to put the learning into practice. “It’s important to keep training,” she said.
Van Heerden said the classes which his students attend regularly are all about teaching not only the moves and fighting sequences but to develop the control and discipline needed to make the most of the activity.” “Practice of karate keeps you fit and focused, it helps you develop mental toughness and concentration,” he said.
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