How INpowered Is Empowering South Africans With Practical Personal Safety Skills
Good Things Guy | 09.02.2026 13:00
Founded in 2012, the organisation focuses on equipping women and men with practical skills to respond to real-life threats and build confidence in unsafe situations.
Johannesburg, South Africa (09 February 2026) – Gender-based violence remains one of South Africa’s most persistent challenges. While conversations around prevention often focus on policy and justice, organisations like INpowered are working at a more immediate level. And equipping people with practical skills to protect themselves when faced with danger.
Founded in 2012, INpowered is a South African organisation focused on personal protection training for women and men. Its work centres on teaching individuals how to recognise threats, de-escalate confrontations and respond decisively when personal safety is at risk. Over the past decade, the organisation has reached more than 16,000 women and girls across the country, many of them in communities where access to safety training is limited.
At the heart of INpowered’s work is founder Mark Grobbelaar, who believes empowerment begins with choice.
“Gender-based violence remains one of the most urgent crises facing our country. While we may never fully eradicate violence, we can equip women with the confidence, skills and choices to respond when their personal safety is threatened. The Big Break is about empowerment, solidarity and action.”
Mark previously spoke to Good Things Guy almost two years ago about INpowered’s work and its approach to personal protection training, reflecting on why equipping people with practical safety skills has remained central to the organisation’s mission.
While INpowered is widely known for its high-energy public demonstrations of strength and unity, its core work happens far from the spotlight.
“Too many women who need these skills simply can’t access them. This event allows us to bridge that gap and extend protection to those who need it most.”
INpowered’s model recognises that personal protection training is not a luxury, but a necessity. Especially in prioritising accessibility, the organisation aims to ensure that safety skills are not limited to those who can afford specialised training.
As part of its broader work, INpowered is also preparing for the INpowered Big Break, scheduled to take place on 18 March 2026. While the event carries a record-breaking ambition, Mark emphasises that its deeper purpose lies in visibility and extending access to training for women and girls who might otherwise never encounter personal protection education.
“With the right support, this can be a defining moment in the fight against GBV. Together, we can INpower women to live more confidently and more safely, despite the realities of the world around us.”
You can join the record-breaking moment or find out more here.
