Sifu Salim Badat is a master martial arts instructor with over 40 years of training experience and nearly 30 years of teaching.

Renowned for his depth of knowledge and practical methodology, he is widely respected as a trainer of trainers, mentoring instructors and advanced practitioners in combative systems rooted in realism, efficiency, and tactical awareness.

Sifu Salim has extensively cross-trained across multiple martial disciplines, including Silat, Aikido, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, and Jeet Kune Do.

While possessing a working knowledge of all these systems, his primary specializations are Ving Tsun Chinese Boxing and Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) particularly systems that integrate empty hand combat, impact weapons, and edged weapons.

His Ving Tsun lineage traces directly to Sifu David Peterson, one of the world’s most respected Ving Tsun authorities and a senior student of GM Wong Shun Leung, the legendary practitioner known for his pragmatic, combat-oriented approach.

This lineage firmly places Sifu Salim within the Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun system, renowned for its emphasis on pressure tested realism and functional combat application.

In Filipino Martial Arts, Salim has trained internationally with highly respected instructors, including Yuri Romo of Bahad Zubu in the Philippines, Danny Vedua of Askal Balintawak, and Jong Jong Cabalerro of De Campo Escrima.

His blade and knife methodology is drawn from several authoritative sources, including the Pangamut system of Stephen Roy Dedal, influenced by Pekiti Tirsia, as well as Silat teachings from Professor Jack Othman.

Sifu Salim is also deeply proud to be a student of the late Sifu Richard Bustillo, one of Bruce Lee’s original students and the head instructor of the IMB Academy in Los Angeles.

Through his direct connection to Richard Bustillo, Sifu Salim Badat stands as the only known second-generation student of Bruce Lee in South Africa, placing him in a rare and unique position within the country’s martial arts landscape.

This lineage grants him a broader historical and philosophical perspective on martial development, transcending style loyalty in favor of truth, function, and individual evolution.

The systems Sifu Salim teaches, particularly Ving Tsun Chinese Boxing and Filipino Martial Arts, remain niche disciplines in South Africa, with very few qualified instructors operating at an advanced level.

His teaching methodology is grounded in a tactical, real-world approach, designed to address the realities of modern violence and the specific conditions faced in South Africa and beyond.

Above all, Sifu Salim Badat is recognized not only as a master instructor, but as a strategic thinker, educator, and custodian of martial knowledge, committed to producing capable, ethical, and highly skilled practitioners who understand combat, self-protection, and personal responsibility beyond mere technique.

Sifu Salim Badat teaches three core training streams, each grounded in authentic lineage, practical application, and real-world relevance.

Close quarter firearm handling and movement. Weapon retention and control in confined environments, Defensive disarming concepts, Integration of physical skills with situational judgment.

Training balances hard skills (physical execution, coordination, and tool management) with soft skills, including situational awareness, threat recognition, risk assessment, mindset, and behavioral cues. Awareness models form a critical foundation of this program.

This training is operationally focused, legally conscious, and designed for real world application. It is particularly suitable for corporate security teams, private security operators, and professionals in protective roles, while remaining equally valuable for civilians seeking advanced personal protection capabilities.

Regular classes are held on weekends only:

Saturday mornings: 7:00 – 8:30

Sunday mornings: 7:00 – 8:30

Each session is divided into:

Ving Tsun, Filipino Martial Arts (edged and impact weapon)

Salim is available for private, one-on-one or online training for individuals who prefer a personalized and flexible approach to learning.

Private instruction offers individual attention, allowing for significantly faster progress and training tailored precisely to the student’s goals, experience level, and operational needs.

Private training is ideal for:

Busy executives with fixed or limited schedules. Security professionals requiring focused skill development.

Individuals who prefer discretion or accelerated learning. Practitioners seeking specialization in a specific area.

Private instruction is tailored to the individual, allowing students to focus on long-range or close range Eskrima or specialise exclusively in tactical blade work, you also have the option to study Ving Tsun (Chinese Boxing) as a complete stand alone system, engage solely in tactical and security training, or pursue a comprehensive, fully integrated training pathway that combines these disciplines into a unified method.

Training content and scheduling are arranged by appointment, subject to Sifu Salim’s availability, allowing for a high level of flexibility and customization.

Salim also mentors instructors and group leaders. Practitioners wishing to establish training groups in their own cities, towns, or suburbs are encouraged to connect with him.

Through structured mentorship, instructors are guided in building sustainable, responsible, and technically sound training programs within their local communities.

Sifu Salim conducts holiday boot camps for both adults and children.

Children’s MMA Boot Camp:

A structured four-day program focused on confidence, coordination, discipline, and foundational self-defense skills.

Adult MMA Boot Camp:

A four day intensive program emphasizing functional striking, grappling, conditioning, and practical application.