When it comes to personal safety, South Africans face a unique and serious challenge. Crime is not an abstract idea here. It is a daily reality that affects families, communities and workplaces across the country. Because of this, learning how to stay safe has become more important than ever. Yet many people still come across free or unbelievably cheap self defense classes and wonder why there is such a huge difference in price between those and professionally run programs. The reasons are simple, but they matter more than most people realise. Below is an easy to understand breakdown that will help you make an informed decision.
There are many reasons why a self defense class might be offered for free or at a very low fee. Not all of these reasons are bad, but they do explain why the quality often varies.
Poor or watered down content
Some classes simply do not teach useful material. The techniques may be unrealistic, outdated or not suited to real South African criminal behaviour. Participants may feel good during the session but gain very little real world skill.
Untrained or inexperienced instructors
Many instructors have no background in reality based defense. They do not follow a structured curriculum and may simply improvise during training. This often leads to inconsistent lessons and poor long term learning.
The instructor does not value what they teach
If the trainer does not put a strong value on their own knowledge, they will usually not put much effort into continuous learning, professional development or improving the curriculum.
Self defense as a hobby
Some people teach because they enjoy it, not because they are qualified to prepare others for violent crime situations. There is nothing wrong with enjoying martial arts, but enjoyment and professional readiness are not the same thing.
Old beliefs about training for free
There are still instructors who believe it is unethical to charge money to teach others how to protect themselves. This usually comes from a traditional martial arts background rather than modern reality based training.
A philanthropic approach
In some cases, the instructor simply chooses not to charge because they want to help others. Their intentions may be good, but good intentions do not automatically create effective training.
At C O B R A we operate very differently from free or casual training providers. Our approach is based on real world criminal behaviour, professional standards and global experience.
Full time professional instructors
Our instructors are not hobbyists. They are full time professionals with international certifications and hands on experience in working with criminals. This means the training is grounded in reality, not theory.
Structured and tested curriculum
Our programs were developed through years of research, field testing and tactical experience. Every technique, drill and scenario has a purpose and has been tested under real conditions. We do not make things up as we go along.
Training documented in several formats
Our curriculum exists in video, audio and printed formats. This ensures consistency across instructors and allows clients to reinforce what they learned long after the session.
A wide range of clients
We work with everyone from private individuals to blue chip corporates. Our methods adapt to adults, teens and workplace environments without losing effectiveness.
Reliable reputation and recognised expertise
C O B R A has been featured in local and international media including television and radio. We also have a large number of five star reviews from clients who completed our courses and found real value in the training.
Professional self defense training is a specialised service. It requires expertise, ongoing development, proper insurance, structured material and the ability to prepare people for situations involving extreme danger. The skills taught can save a life.For this reason, we do not offer cheap classes. We offer high quality instruction at professional rates that reflect the true value of the training and the seriousness of what we teach.
In a country where violent crime remains a threat, personal safety cannot be treated as a casual hobby. The quality of the training you choose matters. A free class may give you confidence for a moment, but professional training gives you skills that last.If you want training that is reliable, structured and tested against real criminal behaviour, choose an instructor who treats your safety as seriously as you do. If you would like more information about our programs, feel free to reach out. We are here to help you become safer, stronger and better prepared.