{"id":117735,"date":"2026-08-04T09:05:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/?p=117735"},"modified":"2026-08-04T09:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:05:19","slug":"afriforum-trains-another-eight-free-state-shooting-instructors-expands-safety-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/afriforum-trains-another-eight-free-state-shooting-instructors-expands-safety-network\/","title":{"rendered":"AfriForum trains another eight Free State shooting instructors, expands safety network"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Jacques-Broodryk_4-Aug-2026_ENG.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (English)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Jacques-Broodryk_4-Aug-2026_AFR.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (Afrikaans)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Over the past weekend, AfriForum trained another eight Free State residents \u2013 hailing from towns including Bloemfontein, Bethlehem, and Sasolburg \u2013 as shooting instructors. This brings the total number of instructors trained nationwide by the civil rights organisation since the 2022 launch of this training initiative \u2013 known as the Voluntary Training Corps (VOLK) shooting programme \u2013 to 185.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The training is presented by the organisation\u2019s Community Safety Division and focuses on refining safe firearm handling, marksmanship, and the responsible use of firearms for self-defence. Upon completing the programme, instructors are also formally trained as qualified range officers, enabling them to offer this training free of charge to members of their local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum\u2019s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, emphasises that safety begins with well-trained and responsible citizens. \u201cBy training people to use firearms safely and responsibly, we contribute to safer communities and foster a culture of responsible firearm ownership,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"117738\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_2-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-117738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_2-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_2-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_2-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_2-1.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"117740\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_3-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-117740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_3-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_3-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_3-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VOLK-skiet_3-1.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Joseph Renaud, instructor and AfriForum Regional Safety Head, and Mark Ikking (photo left) and Willie Hattingh (photo right)<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The programme also equips participants with valuable practical self-defence skills, says Broodryk. \u201cThis training forms part of AfriForum\u2019s ongoing commitment to equipping communities with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure their own safety responsibly in a country where violent crime occurs at unacceptable levels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Willie Hattingh, a member of AfriForum\u2019s Bethlehem neighbourhood watch, was one of the marksmen who underwent training on Friday and Saturday at the AfriForum shooting range outside Bloemfontein. Hattingh, who competes as a sport shooter in various disciplines, considers the training highly valuable and notes that it further developed his skills and confidence as a marksman. \u201cBeing able to complete this course and obtain the qualification empowers me to act correctly and legally as a range officer. It has also equipped me to manage my own firearm safety \u2013 as well as that of others on the range \u2013 more effectively and confidently,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Mark Ikking, another member of AfriForum\u2019s Bethlehem neighbourhood watch who completed the weekend\u2019s training, this training is about far more than just safe firearm handling. For him, this training also offers hope. \u201cAfriForum\u2019s approach is to learn something and then pass that knowledge on to others. This gives me courage and hope for our future,\u201d he states clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Broodryk, the programme\u2019s success is proof of communities\u2019 willingness to take responsibility for their own safety. He believes that communities are increasingly realising they cannot rely solely on the state for their safety. \u201cThrough this training, AfriForum effectively provides the answer to this uncomfortable realisation, and the organisation plays a vital role in empowering communities in a responsible and lawful manner so that they can be better prepared to protect themselves and their loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe goal is not merely to train more people but to establish a nationwide network of responsible, competent, and well-trained citizens who can make a tangible contribution to community safety,\u201d Broodryk concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Get involved and secure yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AfriForum calls on communities wishing to participate in the VOLK shooting programme or receive training to join their nearest AfriForum branch or neighbourhood watch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the past weekend, AfriForum trained another eight Free State residents \u2013 hailing from towns including Bloemfontein, Bethlehem, and Sasolburg&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":117736,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11162,11165],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-117735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-media-statements","category-safety-media-statements"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":11162,"label":"Media statements"},{"value":11165,"label":"Safety Media statements"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Instrukteurs-opgelei_ENG_nuut-1024x573.jpg",1024,573,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"AfriForum","author_link":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/author\/ilze-nieuwoudtafriforum-co-za\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":11162,"name":"Media statements","slug":"media-statements","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":11162,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":3010,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":11162,"category_count":3010,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Media statements","category_nicename":"media-statements","category_parent":0},{"term_id":11165,"name":"Safety Media statements","slug":"safety-media-statements","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":11165,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":11162,"count":291,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":11165,"category_count":291,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Safety Media statements","category_nicename":"safety-media-statements","category_parent":11162}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/109"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117735"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117742,"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117735\/revisions\/117742"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}