Muslimah Today, Durban’s only conference for Muslim women, takes place on Saturday 29 August, 9am-4.30pm, at the NMJ Islamic Centre. A dynamic lineup of speakers – including Ebrahim Rasool, the former premier of the Western Cape, and award-winning author Shubnum Khan – feature in this year’s conference.
Adam Deane who is a Human Behaviour and Capability Strategist will be speaking on the topic “Personal safety for women,” at the conference. He is a PSIRA-registered security professional and active community policing member, and he and his partner run Aegis Elite which specialises in defensive firearm and fitness training for civilians. Ahead of his appearance at the conference, we sat down with him to discuss how he intends approaching the topic, his passion for Calisthenics and fatherhood.
Question 1
You’ll be speaking on personal safety for women at Muslimah Today. What’s the one shift in mindset you most want women in the room to walk away with?
That being able to identify, escape and avoid a threat, is always better than fighting. It’s the first thing we train our students to understand that if you can run away from a threat and don’t need to engage, run. Your life and your loved ones come first, making it home to them is winning the fight.
Question 2
You’re recognised as one of South Africa’s early pioneers of Calisthenics. What drew you to that discipline, and how does physical capability tie into personal safety?
I saw someone on YouTube doing it and I thought if his body can do that, so can mine. Our bodies are the first tool we have in any part of life. If we aren’t physically capable, all the gear, guns & equipment are useless.
Question 3
Security and safety training can feel intimidating to newcomers — how do you and your partner make Aegis Elite approachable for civilians?
We’re not soldiers, we came from a life in corporate so we get it. We aim to make safety easy and fun to understand, learn & implement. For life at the supermarket, a restaurant, at home because that’s where we spend our lives, not on a battlefield.
Question 4
You’ve just launched an initiative called The Second Life Project. What gap were you hoping to fill with it?
The gap that exists between the lives we find ourselves tolerating and one that we want to wake up and chase. We have a choice to give the world the gift of who we truly are, not just survive for a salary and spreadsheets.
Question 5
Tell us about fatherhood and how it impacts on what you do and vice versa?
My son is my reason for everything I do. I want to do my part as a protector, to make the world better for him and to be the kind of example that inspires him to do what’s right even if it’s difficult. He trains and learns with me and its brought us closer because of it.
Tickets for the Muslimah Today Conference are R320 and pensioners’ and students’ tickets are R220. Tickets include lunch, refreshments, stationery and a goodie bag. A limited number of sponsored tickets are available for financially disadvantaged women. Please visit www.ilmsa.co.za/MT for bookings. Queries may be WhatsApped to 0670568975.
