Who Dares Lives

By Lenord E le Hanie

The making of a Grandmaster. Today Lenord Le Hanie lives his philosophy, Who Dares Lives.

Who Dares Lives consists of three parts:

Part I

The first part tells the story of Lenord, a five-year-old boy born amidst two landings on the surface of the Moon, the Soviet Union’s Luna 2, and the United States’ Apollo 11. And years later having evolved into a man of note - albeit having endured poverty and hardships throughout life ... his narrative transformed into an inspirational memoir.

Part II and III

Readers are made aware of unexpected events that can befall them. It ranges from the perils of modern society and personal safety to medical emergencies and even man-made and natural disasters. The key objective of these parts is the development of an analytical mindset to tackle these challenges proactively.

Learn how to think and act like a Bush War veteran while equipping yourself with a defence and survival mindset. Above all, you must learn that the behaviour that may save your life is cultivated by thinking and behaving within the parameters of emotional intelligence patterns so that decision-making takes precedence during dangerous situations.

Understanding the human psychological state in life-or-death situations is the apex you can reach in the development of situational awareness, turning you into a force multiplier.

“Lenord Le Hanie is a high-calibre individual. I believe that 1 Parachute Battalion lost a good man when he broke his leg in a motorcycle accident before the tough PT course that would have earned him entry into the jump course and consequently earned him his Parabat wings in 1984. I’ve learnt that regardless of unit, he served the SA National Defence Force with distinction.

His innovative and likeable personality emerges whether he is working with beginners or teaching Israeli Krav Maga to some of the most elite of South Africa’s Special Forces.”

- Granger Korff – author of 19 with a bullet and its sequel, Bat from hell

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lenord E le Hanie
• Release date: Feb 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005086749

Book preview

Introduction

WHO DARES LIVES ACTS as complementary to Lenord’s profound knowledge of hand-to-hand combat systems: taekwondo, close-quarters combat and krav maga. He trained some of South Africa’s Special Forces operators as well as paratroopers.

As the title suggests, this memoir is both an inspirational and informative work. It serves as a comprehensive discussion of modern survival concepts, self-defensive strategies and the development of both the correct mindset and attitude.

Why We Love It

Lenord’s first-hand experiences as a grandmaster of taekwondo, a military veteran, writer and businessman lends him credibility in the fields on the subject of modern survival. This comprehensive work covers a variety of the most essential issues. This is highly recommended for general citizens, law enforcement officers, militants, veterans, nature lovers and travellers. He also includes a few testimonials from students, professionals and friends. These endorsements may encourage readers to give Lenord a try.

-Dr Johan De Lange, ophthalmologist and friend

Who Dares Lives defines a tripartite classification as title, motto and slogan. It consists of three parts.

PART I: DARING TO LIVE – A MEMOIR

This part consists of five chapters about my life. It is a memoir of how I have led my life and how it developed, and it includes both the sweet and the bitter. As a consequence, I have laid my character bare with this insightful look into who I am, and why I am the person I turned out to be. The experiences I have accumulated concerning my education, growing up, marriages, army days, martial arts and working career form the backdrop of this work. It is a given that, all things considered, every day has its unique challenges and the odd surprise lying in wait.

I have decided to dedicate my time to others, not only as coach, but also through the upliftment of children through the teaching methodology of taekwondo. But, nearing the end of my active taekwondo instruction years, I could sense it turning into a dead-end street. I therefore turned my attention to becoming an activist against crime with the primary objective being the safety and security of the common humanity of the citizens of South Africa.

PART II: THE DANGER CLOSE TO HOME

The main objective of Who Dares Lives is the management and dissemination of information deemed of general interest to those interested in urban survival (and survival in general) in a comprehensive yet concise guide. Citizens are much in need of knowledge regarding aspects of safety, but tend not to think about them and do not attempt to investigate or question their relevance, as long as they are not directly affected by crime.

Helping and motivating people has meant finding synergy and embedding it into their psychology. All of this is to be executed within the parameters set by the law and society, so that one can both save lives and prevent injuries or loss or damage to property.

Specific subjects are demystified based on extensive research, personal experience and various observations from myself and other experts in various fields.

There will be those who take substantially from the contents of the chapters of Who Dares Lives. However, the majority of citizens worldwide will still blatantly ignore threats, due to the amenities of life that appear so enticing, or simply due to being too busy!

PART III: SURVIVING THE WILD AND UNEXPECTED

The final part of Who Dares Lives comprises a guide to those situations in which most people think they will never find themselves. Even though you may not believe that they will ever find themselves in a Hollywood-style life-threatening situation, it remains prudent to inform yourself of the steps that you can take in these situations; they may even save your life.

From events with a greater chance of occurring, like coming face to face with dangerous animals, to those one-in-a-million nightmare situations like a terrorist hijacking of an aeroplane, Part III provides practical advice that serves as a life-raft in emergency situations.

As a concluding remark, I can say that there are no easy fixes. The reader should learn from the concepts of survival in Who Dares Lives. Regarding sheer, brute violence – the purpose is to influence and mobilise readers to think and respond coherently in a logical fashion while making an ongoing study of the various topics in Who Dares Lives.

The biggest enemies are denial, ignorance and the omnipresence of the egocentric, where people tend to deny crime and its doers. Denial and ignorance are both large contributors to doubt!

When in doubt, I remind myself of two things: first, that life experience is added value, and second, that people are prevented from doing things by the thought that what they are doing might be stupid.

My intention is not to change your opinion; the choice is out there to apply the principles, tactics and techniques mentioned in this work.

But by making some sacrifices, doing some thinking and memorising some of the aspects and concepts addressed herein will help anyone to act differently.

I am convinced that the information presented is if not new, at least refreshing: it is presented with a different angle when it comes to the approach and execution. Everything contained in this work is guided by the principle of survival through acting in self-defence.

OVERTURE

I AM BETTING THAT I AM much like most of you in that I certainly never expected to have walked the road I did. I had dreams and plans when I was young, but as is so often the case, life doesn’t seem to cooperate.

My childhood was no easy time: we grew up so poor that at times there was not even a speck of bread in the house. My mother, Cornelia, needed to see to her seven children and ensure we all received a proper education. She did this regardless of her small salary at the time. To help us survive, we received a grocery hamper every odd month from some of her colleagues, delivered right onto our doorstep in Kempton Park.

I witnessed the heartbreak my mother suffered ever since my father had abandoned us, leaving her with the brunt and worries of our education. Mother barely had enough money for food or for clothing for seven children. That left me wrecked, mostly with wry feelings of defeat.

During this difficult period in my childhood that lasted almost three years, my mother, my siblings and I found ourselves too often at the mercy of friends and family.

The support we received from gran Cathy Manthe, my mother’s mom, and our family needs special mentioning. Gran’s selfless acts have remained my fondest memories.

The unexpected turns in my life are endless, with an uncertainty hovering above me every day. I made a lot of bad decisions, knowing and trusting that during these I would manage to figure life out while enduring its pulsing beats – the pushes and sharp pokes from whichever sources crossed my path.

I was gripped by a strong understanding at a young age that I had to be self-reliant and fend for myself and family in the absence of a father’s protection. It was then that I decided to become the best that I could be, no matter what life threw at me, with the beginnings of township riots and the escalating bush war on our country’s borders.

Following my military service, I began training in the Korean martial art, taekwondo, and by being solemnly devoted I reached the rank of grandmaster eventually, as well as a seventh degree black belt, managing owner of a dojang (or gymnasium) with a strong desire to train others.

Through the rough-and-tumble years I have endeavoured in the martial arts, close-quarters combat and krav maga, I’ve learnt the importance of being constantly aware, of always being ready and being capable of acting fast in a potentially life-threatening situation.

I can guarantee you that none of the blessings in my life would exist without my faith in God and my firm belief that each of us can find a way to make a positive impact in our everyday lives. I am a child of God and destined to become a unique individual in my own right.

All too often, we rely on our egos and feel weighed down by past events and insecurity for various reasons. Way too often, we find ourselves endangered by self-doubt, feelings of euphoria, or a pretence that harmful events will pass us by. We become ignorant about putting safety and wellbeing strictly in God’s hands. This causes us to act irresponsibly and ungallantly: burying our heads in the sand and waiting for the storm to pass – commonly known as the ostrich-effect.

I intend to guide the reader through my formative years, showing how I became who I am and why I encourage people to be proactive when it comes to their security. In this light, I would like to quote an insight from the famous television host, author and psychologist, Dr Phil McGraw:

We are consumed by self-doubt, or we make an inevitable wrong turn with consequences that feel like a life sentence. With related analogies, insightful discoveries, and meaningful passages from Scripture, we can partner with God as we move toward our future. God is at work in all our lives, but sometimes we need a reminder that the obstacles in our path are not as big as they seem and that it is never too late to become His partner. Only when we let God in can we begin to live with purpose, and fulfil the promise He is asking us to fulfil.

Testimonies

I got to know Grandmaster Lenord le Hanie a number of years ago, when my family and I did his close-quarters combat course. He embedded a feeling of confidence and safety in us. He has such kindness when working with people and is quite capable in, and accustomed to, dangerous situations. Lenord is always willing to give advice and assistance to his students – he has made it a priority. His passion is contagious and his self-defence expertise has made him a well-known figure in our community. He has taught me values and meaning when it comes to personal safety. The applications taught by Master Lenord are easy to learn and implement. His style of instruction lets one remember the techniques, although a person is not doing self-defence as a sport. He works on the physiological, physical and emotional levels in order to create mental resilience. Master Lenord’s famous sayings are ‘Do not ignore the signs’ and ‘Keep checking your immediate environment, and you will not be taken by surprise.’ He is an accomplished and patient master when it comes to teaching you techniques. Upon completion of his 40-hour course, I walked away from his gymnasium as pretty much an empowered individual after our family had just undergone a haunting and traumatic event.

- Marijna de Lange, friend and former student

Thank you, Master Lenord, that we could entrust our kids’ training to you through the years. You were always absolutely professional and have lead by example. And thank you for taking care of them. This has helped a great deal in forming their characters.

- Kobie Ströh, taekwondo parent

Since I have met Master Lenord le Hanie, I have found him a true martial artist. Both a mentor and friend, he has taught me values and, most importantly, that leading a balanced life is essential for your progress. I am more self-confident and I have a newfound sense of self-respect. I am privileged to have trained under Master le Hanie in the Israeli krav maga self-defence system. Krav maga was the best thing I have ever done!

- George de Freitas, student

Master Lenord, one thing is for sure: you are focused and resolute. You live your passion. You are a man with an immense interest in the art of self-defence, accompanied by living a lifestyle dedicated serving fellow citizens. How we met again is vague, since I could not have pictured that you have accomplished what you have. In all honesty, my compliments to you for having conquered your Everest so far in life! You are a dedicated teacher and a tremendous asset to all South African citizens.

- Stephan du Plessis, friend

Dedication I

Dear Armand and Karien

I dedicate my story to you, but when I began it,

I had not realised that boys and girls grow up quicker than books.

As a result, you are already too old for fairy tales,

and by the time it is printed and bound,

you will be older still.

Instead, read dad’s biography and take heart at some

of the info herein.

You can then take it down from some upper shelf,

dust it off, and tell me what you think of it.

I shall probably still be alive, and if the Lord will,

May I always be your affectionate father.

- Pappa Lenord

PART I

DARING TO LIVE – A MEMOIR

1

En Route

But friendship is precious not only in the shade,

but in the sunshine of life,

And thanks to a benevolent arrangement

the greater part of life is sunshine.

– Thomas Jefferson

ON A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT at the Cape of Good Hope (which today hosts the Cape Point Lighthouse 1,2 miles to the east) the Fanny, a narrow Baltimore clipper with three masts and a square rig, was manoeuvring through the ferocious waves of a storm.

With extreme effort, the crew managed to navigate the ship around the rocky shores, sailing at four to five knots amid howling winds, with the surf grumbling at six to eight metres high, and the waves of the Atlantic slamming roughly into the starboard side of the upper deck. The rough seas tossed the ship in a way that was most nerve racking. The 12-year-old ship’s hull – made of oak – shivered brutally in response; the masts bent and the sails received a battering for hours on end.

Nobody was expecting such a ferocious storm at this time of the year.

For now, the Lehane brothers (my forebears) were among the 112 weary, fear-filled passengers on board.

Waves slammed into the stern. The prow of the boat was robust, and turned into the storm as much as possible. It kept sailing at an angle while staying as close as possible to the giant oncoming waves. The Fanny had to keep up speed to stay on top of the gigantic waves. Hopefully, the weight in the hull would keep on counteracting the force of the winds on the sails and rigging. The gusts were still whipping the sails, stopping just short of toppling its masts and shredding its sails.

The sailors were anxious and worn out: tied to the deck and draped in heavily drenched, worn and torn raincoats. A man overboard was a man lost to the tides forever!

The British settlers of 1820 arrived in South Africa from Ireland, the ‘Emerald Isle’. Among them were the Lehane brothers, and thus started the story of the Le Hanies in South Africa.

***

During my early upbringing, I realised that ‘life is a journey and purposes are destinations.’ It is this journey and all its trials and tribulations have made me who I am and taught me what I know that I would like to share with you. Since it is always best to begin at the beginning, I would like to share my formative years with you to illustrate the values they instilled in me, and (perhaps) unlock some fond memories of a time gone by along the way.

I was born Ernest Lenord le Hanie on Easter Monday, 19 April 1965 in Germiston Hospital on the East Rand, the fifth-generation descendant of John Lehane. As an interesting aside, my forebears, the Lehane brothers John and David from Ireland, came to shore in South Africa on a dark and stormy night 1820 as two of one hundred and twelve fear-filled passengers of the Fanny. They disembarked in the harbour of Saldanha Bay in late May 1820.

I am the second of seven children and the eldest grandson of my family. And how can I not mention my siblings from our tight-knit family, raised with the grace of God by our beloved and caring mother? I treasure my childhood, both the suffering and the good times with my sisters and brothers, Catheline, myself, William, Louis, Esme, Paul and Elena.

My parents are Cornelia, who was a full-time housewife at the time, and my father, Ernest, a diesel mechanic and part-time musician – an excellent guitarist – who played boeremusiek most weekends in an Afrikaans folk band. I can only recall a few times with my father – he was often absent, a circumstance that would have a significant effect on me growing up: I was left stranded, trying to cope with