The South African Women's Guide to Self-Defence

The combination of an increasing crime rate and staggering rape and gender-based violence statistics in South Africa has clearly defined the need for a book that not only empowers and encourages women to acknowledge their capabilities, but shows them how to defend themselves. The South African Woman's Guide to Self-Defence is such a book.


In this book you will learn how to:identify potentially dangerous situations and how you can avoid them;
identify patterns/styles of attack and understand the best defence response for each pattern;
identify opportunities to defend yourself should you be compromised;
identify and use vulnerable body target areas onto which to apply your techniques;
identify and change your own limiting beliefs and mental programming concerning your rights and capabilities;
implement easy, yet highly effective self-defence techniques.




Aimed at every woman, regardless of fitness level, age or physical ability, the authoritative text, step-by-step instructions and 250 full-colour photographs clearly demonstrate the various techniques and make learning self-defence easy.


Author Sanette Smit - an 8th Dan Black Belt in karate and South Africa's leading self-defence expert - has, along with her team, empowered more than 350,000 women and girls in these techniques during the course of her 30-year, self-defence career.


"Yes, there is something women can do to drastically increase their chances of preventing a rape attack; and, no, women are not as weak and helpless as they think they are - they simply need to be taught how to defend themselves. This includes adopting the respective mind shift necessary for effective self-defence." - Sanette Smit


"All indications are that a woman who can defend herself and make informed choices in difficult situations is better placed to avoid rape than one who is not. Sanette Smit has a long history of empowering women to take control, defend themselves and make informed choices."
- Carol Bower, Past Director of Rape Crisis Cape Town


"All indications are that a woman who can defend herself and make informed choices in difficult situations is better placed to avoid rape than one who is not. Sanette Smit has a long history of empowering women to take control, defend themselves and make informed choices."
- Carol Bower, Past Director of Rape Crisis Cape Town


"... the time has come for women and men to take collective responsibility to end the scourge of violence against women and ensure that women are free. To achieve significant change, there needs to be a fundamental shift in attitudes and behavior, which will take time. While we work towards this change, women are encouraged to empower themselves. The one thing we can do is to become aware of how to prevent rape and assault happening to us as individuals. Sanette Smit has a passion for empowering women to take control, make informed choices and become aware of how to defend themselves in various situations."
- Chantel Cooper, Past Director of Rape Crisis Cape Town


"After attending one of Smitti's [Sanette Smit's] brilliant self-defence workshops, I felt empowered as a woman, more aware and more confident in averting certain dangerous situations. While teaching self-defence, Smitti reminds women of their inner strength and beauty, and urges them to realize their powers and identify those important intuitive feelings that they so often ignore."
- Kathy Rath, Rape survivor