The countdown to a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of people simultaneously participating in a self-defence class has begun.
Joburg aims to bring together 3 000 participants to break the existing world record which stands at 2 212.
The initiative, which is being organised by My Park My City campaign, is aimed at empowering women to build self-esteem and confidence as part of the 16 Days of Activism to combat gender-based violence. The record attempt event takes place on the lawns of Zoo Lake in Saxonwold on 7 December from 10am to 12pm.
The current record was a Krav Maga lesson organised by the South American Krav Maga Federation at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2010.
The My Park My City campaign is an initiative of City Parks in partnership with safety and security stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, media partners and various tiers of government.
The campaign is aimed at driving public focus on gender violence, by helping communities take ownership of their neighbourhoods in a fun and healthy project.
My Parks My City builds towards safer, fitter and healthier communities, and is set against the backdrop of unacceptable levels of violence against women and children. The projects aim is to encourage women to nurture healthy lifestyles by using public parks as sites of activism.
The high profile event will be led by poet and gender activist, Lebo Mashile and fitness guru Ronald Abvajee and will include classes in self-defence and a motivational talk.
The programme to be hosted at various parks across the city over the 16 days, was launched in Diepsloot on 26 November. Diepsloot was chosen as the launch area due to the recent spate of violence in this area.
