About Us
A Message from the Founder –
Captain Geoffrey Basil Coetzee
Building a Safer, Responsible South Africa – One Citizen at a Time
When I founded Self-Defence South Africa (SDSA), it was not born from ambition, but from conviction. For over two decades I have served in uniform — first as a mechanized infantry officer, later as a security professional and firearms instructor. Across every province, I’ve seen two realities: good, law-abiding citizens who want to protect themselves and their families, and responsible instructors who dedicate their lives to training them safely.
Yet, our industry has long lacked a unifying standard — a platform that speaks with one credible voice for every instructor and every self-defence firearm owner in the country. That is why SDSA exists.
SDSA is not about ownership. It is about responsibility. It is about creating a nationally recognized certification framework that allows Section 13 firearm owners to train, test, and carry with confidence — under the guidance of qualified, accredited instructors who believe in ethics, consistency, and professionalism.
I’ve often been told that launching something this ambitious takes courage. But courage is nothing new to any South African who stands up for what is right. I am proud to stand publicly behind this mission — not because it carries my name, but because it carries our shared belief that self-defence is a right, and responsibility is the law that protects it.
To every instructor, range owner, and firearm owner who shares this vision — welcome. Together we will build the national standard South Africa has been waiting for.
Founder & Director
Self-Defence South Africa (SDSA)
The Imperative for Certification
South African firearm owners licensed under Section 13 carry a profound responsibility: to lawfully and effectively use a handgun for the protection of their own lives and those of their loved ones. While legal licensing ensures basic competency, it does not guarantee that the individual is prepared for real-world, high-stress self-defence encounters.
The EDC Certification Program exists to bridge this gap. It establishes a national standard of preparedness, discipline, and skill for those who lawfully carry handguns in daily life.
Mission Statement
Self-Defence South Africa (SDSA) exists to raise the standard of responsible self-defense firearm ownership in our country.
We believe that owning a handgun for self-defence under Section 13 of the Firearms Control Act carries a duty that extends far beyond licensing. True readiness requires discipline, training, and the ability to act decisively under stress while staying within the law.
Our Purpose
The Everyday Carry (EDC) Certification Program was created to:
- Establish a national benchmark of competency for citizens who lawfully carry handguns.
- Ensure that firearm owners are not only compliant with the law, but also confident, skilled, and prepared for real-world threats.
- Build a community of responsible carriers who value safety, accountability, and preservation of life above all.
Our Vision
We envision a South Africa where every firearm owner who carries daily is not only licensed, but also certified, capable, and trusted — forming part of a nationwide network of prepared, responsible citizens.