Morne Swanepoel

Izimvo is honoured to introduce Martial Arts coach, MMA and Reality Based Personal Protection specialist, Morne Swanepoel.

Morne, certified as one of the most qualified Jeet Kune Do (JKD) instructors in the world, is the owner and founder of CombatCoaching.com. The various streams offered by CombatCoaching.com include Combat Athletics, Mixed Martial Arts (Cage Fighting), Reality Based Personal Protection and Bully Proof Your Child.

Morne’s illustrious career includes achievements such as 4th Degree Black Belt in Traditional Karate/Kobudo, 3rd Degree Black Belt Yuishinkai Kobujutsu, Director for the World United Martial Arts Federation and certified instructor for the International Council of Masters and Grand Masters.

Website: http://combatcoaching.com
Email Address: aileen@combatcoaching.com
Location: Amanzimtoti, Durban

Morne was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Morne Swanepoel 37 years of age (soon 38) :)

Owner and founder of CombatCoaching.com. Full time Martial Arts Coach and Practitioner specializing in Mixed Martial Arts (Cage Fighting), Reality Based Personal Protection, Combat Athletics, Tai Chi and Bully Proof Your Child.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Although I travel allot (45 times abroad in the past 15 years) I am a very nervous flyer. Well I love flying I just hate the crashing part :)

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Spending time with the family on the beach and swimming in the ocean.

Personal Protection and Self Defence

Q: Have you seen an increase in demand for your self-defence courses over recent years and are you finding that South Africans are becoming more proactive when it comes to personal security?

A: Yes there has been a huge demand for training. I still feel thou that the majority of the public feel that learning how defend oneself is not of great concern or a priority….until it is too late.

Q: The recent crime stats report showed an increase of 27% in-house robberies. What general advice can you offer our readers to keep their homes safe?

A: Ones safety is directly related to your level of awareness. One could purchase all the latest in home security but if you are not aware of your surroundings then it is a waste of time and money. Without becoming paranoid you need to be more aware of what is going on inside (domestic workers) and outside your property (your street and when traveling to point of interests such as shops, schools etc.) Most crime related incidents can be prevented by becoming more vigilant and learning what you are up against in your area…your reality.

Q: What is the long-term solution to our current crime levels?

A: In my opinion there are quite a few things our government can do to help prevent crime in this country:

1- Bring back the death penalty
2- Take a strong stand against corruption in government levels
3- More jobs for SA citizens
4- Management of illegal immigrants + stricter border controls
5- Educating the nation
6- Setting higher standards for our security forces i.e. Police + Army
7- Stricter implementation of the law

Last but not least to bring GOD back into our government and beloved country!

Q: What are your thoughts on the general public owning and carrying guns?

A: Guns do not kill people. People kill people. You will not be able to have a gun free country. Even in the so-called gun free countries crimes are still committed using firearms.

Our situation is even worse taking our neighboring countries into account and how easy it is to bring illegal firearms into our country. Disarming law-abiding citizens is going to make us all a softer target. Taking the current situation of our country into account then I would encourage every law-abiding citizen to own a firearm and to get the proper training to be able to use it. We need to address where the problem is i.e. the criminal and illegal firearm.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes. The last 15 years I have been involved in various security units dealing with various criminal elements from Hijackers and drug lords to your local thug in a nightclub. The thing that hits everyone the most is that SA has so much to offer and we have a very good idea of where we can be with this country compared to where it is now. Of course crime has affected all of our lives and the way we live. It is sad that the majority needs to live their lives being controlled by minority!

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I have been offered a job in the USA training security personal. I have also received several invitations to teach MMA (Cage Fighting) in various countries. SA is my country, this is where I want to be and this where I am going to stay as long as God allows us to live here.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: I would start the day off in parlement reading out of the Bible and praying for God to guide us in the right direction. Crime is SA’s cancer. I would take a very strong stand against crime and corruption. I would also change our National anthem to something everybody could sing together.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Durban beaches.

Experience the streets of Hillbrow and take note why we are up in arms with some of the changes in our new country.

Have a braai at a big Rugby match, as no one knows how to braai like South Africans.

Life in Durban

Q: Which kid friendly restaurant in or around Durban do you consider to be the most adult friendly?

A: It has to be the Spur.

Q: If you had to pick between a weekend away in the Natal Midlands or along the coast, which would it be?

A: Coast – golden beaches, tropical weather, warm water…..not a difficult choice.

Q: Where do you most enjoy watching that all-important sporting final?

A: At home on my big screen TV having braai with friends otherwise at Loftus Versveldt!!

General

Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?

A: Hopefully a trip to the islands for my whole family.

Q: Who do you consider as the best MMA fighter of all time?

A: Randy “The Natural” Couture.

Q: What advice would you to give to parents of a child wanting to start a sport such as boxing or MMA?

A: Check out the instructor/Coach make sure he is legit. Check out the way the class is coached and if you feel your child will be influenced in a positive manner in that environment.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

Q: In bed at the Umhlanga Sand Hotel with my beautiful wife and 2 kids.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Julius Malema…as long as I can answer back :)

We’d like to thank Morne for taking the time to answer our questions. Be sure visit Morne and the CombatCoaching.com team on their website for more details. You can also email them at aileen@combatcoaching.com