AfriForum Youth empower 50 NWU students with safety training

Earlier this week (14 April), AfriForum Youth’s Puk branch, in collaboration with AfriForum’s Community Safety division, presented a Safety 101 session at Karlien Ladies’ Residence on the North-West University’s (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus. A total of 50 students attended the session, highlighting the growing need for practical safety training among students. The aim of the Safety 101 initiative is to equip students with essential knowledge and practical skills to protect themselves in potentially dangerous situations.

The session began with a short theoretical presentation discussing core principles such as environmental awareness and the so-called OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). According to Dewet Ungerer, Head of Safety in the Northern Region, these principles play a crucial role in personal safety.

“When environmental awareness is applied deliberately, it places individuals within the top 1% level of readiness – a critical advantage in any potential danger situation,” says Ungerer. “If a person finds themselves in a dangerous situation, it is essential to act quickly and purposefully. Individuals can focus on vulnerable areas such as the throat and groin to create an opportunity for escape.”

After the theoretical part, students were divided into smaller groups where they participated in practical demonstrations. Students learned various self-defence techniques, including how to break free from an attacker’s grip, as well as how to act in situations where an attacker uses a knife. The practical nature of the session not only made students aware of possible dangers but also equipped them with the confidence to act quickly and effectively.

Yvonne Gerber, Youth Development Officer at AfriForum Youth, says the large turnout is a clear indication that students take their safety seriously. “Safety starts with the individual and by equipping students with the right knowledge and skills, we enable them to act proactively and protect themselves.”

AfriForum Youth remain committed to the safety and empowerment of students on campuses across the country and will continue to offer similar initiatives to help create a safer environment for all students.