Our story
South African Girls in Gi was born out of a simple need: connection. This is how it grew.
To connect, support and grow the women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community across South Africa — so that every woman who steps onto the mats finds a tribe waiting for her.
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Founder
BJJ Brown Belt
Kerry-Anne Mathieson is the founder of South African Girls in Gi (SAGIG), a community she built from the ground up to connect, support and grow the women's BJJ community across South Africa.
When Kerry-Anne began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2010, there were fewer than five women actively participating in the sport in the entire country. Today, in 2026, that number has grown to an estimated 500 or more — a transformation she has been proud to witness and actively contribute to.
As a BJJ brown belt and passionate advocate for women in martial arts, Kerry-Anne created SAGIG as a space where women on the mats could find each other, learn from world-class instructors, and be part of something bigger than their home gym.
Our story
South African Girls in Gi was born out of a simple need: connection.
In 2010, women training BJJ in South Africa were a rare and scattered few. There were no female-focused camps, no community events, no platform to find each other. Founder Kerry-Anne Mathieson, a BJJ brown belt, decided to change that.
What started as an informal network has grown into a thriving community spanning the country — and in 2026, SAGIG is relaunching with renewed purpose: monthly women's group events, workshops, seminars, and ongoing support for women at every level of their BJJ journey.
Milestones
2010
Kerry-Anne Mathieson begins training BJJ. Fewer than 5 women are actively training the sport across South Africa.
Aug 2015
Headlined by Penny Thomas — South Africa's first BJJ black belt and multiple World Champion.
Nov 2016
Penny Thomas returns to South Africa for the second SAGIG women's camp.
Apr 2017
Co-led by Kerry-Anne Mathieson and Peyton Letcher — South African brown belt and ADCC European Trials silver medallist.
Nov 2017
Brazilian black belt, 3x Master World Champion and pioneering advocate for women in BJJ — flown in from Brazil.
2018–2025
Like many communities, SAGIG felt the impact of the global pandemic. Events paused, but the spirit never did.
2026
Monthly women's events, seminars with local and international instructors, and a renewed mission for every woman on the mat in SA.
Instructors
BJJ Brown Belt · SAGIG Founder
Founder of South African Girls in Gi. Began training BJJ in 2010 when fewer than five women were on the mats nationally, and has spent more than a decade building the community, hosting camps and bringing world-class instructors to South Africa.
BJJ Black Belt · Orthopaedic Surgeon · Professional MMA Fighter
One of South Africa's most accomplished female grapplers — and one of its most remarkable athletes off the mats too. Bunmi is an orthopaedic surgeon and a professional MMA fighter, and a long-standing supporter of SAGIG events and role model for women progressing through the belts locally.
BJJ Black Belt (2nd Degree) · Instructor at Apex Jiu Jitsu, Somerset West
A second-degree black belt and instructor at Apex Jiu Jitsu in Somerset West, with deep technical knowledge and years of competition and coaching experience. Annie has shared her game with SAGIG attendees across multiple events.
Renzo Gracie Cape Town · ADCC European Trials Bronze · SA Wrestling Silver Medallist
Cara trains out of Renzo Gracie Cape Town and can always be found at the gym from 11am–1pm for the competition class. Introduced to martial arts through Judo on the suggestion of a high-school mentor, she has since had the opportunity to train under jiu-jitsu professors such as John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, Murilo Santana and Mike Jaramillo — experiences that showed her jiu-jitsu is a community that welcomes everyone, whether you're chasing a world title or just need an hour or two away from the demands of life. In 2025 she earned silver at the U17, U20 and Senior African Wrestling Championships, and took bronze in the Women's Professional -65kg division at the ADCC European, Middle East & African Trials 2025.
Women lending their experience, perspective and networks to guide SAGIG's growth.
BJJ Black Belt under Tom DeBlass · IBJJF Certified Black Belt & Referee
Proud South African black belt under Tom DeBlass with 11 years on the mats — a journey that began in Thailand (alongside some Muay Thai), continued in South Africa, and now runs through the USA. Bridgid currently trains with BTT under multiple-time champion and 3rd-degree black belt Gabriel Fonseca, has competed multiple times at the IBJJF Pan Ams, and is an IBJJF certified black belt and referee. Based in Florida, she remains a proud South African black belt wherever she rolls.
BJJ Blue Belt · Former Scotland National Team Swimmer · Former Scottish Premiership Footballer
Blue belt, mother and business owner behind the Africa Scotland Business Network. A former Scotland national team butterflyer and former Scottish Premiership football player, Claire brings real lived experience of high-level competitive sport — and lends her business and community-building know-how to support SAGIG's growth and the women on the mats.
Head Kids/Youth Coach at Bushido MMA, Amanzimtoti · IMMAF African Champion
26-year-old grappler and MMA athlete with almost 5 years on the mats, training under her father at Bushido MMA in Amanzimtoti (Durban) where she heads up the kids and youth programme and assistant-coaches alongside her husband. A multiple SA MMA medallist, IMMAF African Championships gold medallist and IMMAF Worlds silver medallist, Demi competes both nationally and internationally. She holds an honours degree in Psychology and openly shares how jiu-jitsu has helped her work through anxiety, build confidence and confront the deeper parts of herself — a story that resonates with so many women on our mats.
BJJ Black Belt · SA's First Black Belt World Champion
First person from the African continent to earn a BJJ black belt and the first South African to win a World Championship at black belt level. Multiple World Championship golds (gi and no-gi), ADCC World Champion 2007, Pan American Champion, ADCC silver 2009. Trained under Luis Heredia, competed for Gracie Humaitá. Headlined SAGIG's 2015 and 2016 camps.
BJJ Brown Belt · Competitive Grappler · NYC, USA
Now based in New York City, Peyton is affiliated with Renzo Gracie and competes internationally - silver medallist at the 2019 ADCC European Trials. Known for sharp technique and competitive drive, she co-hosted the SAGIG Women's Winter Workshop in April 2017.
BJJ Black Belt · 3x Master World Champion · Gracie Barra Curitiba
Black belt, practising psychologist and one of the most passionate advocates for women in BJJ globally. Started training at 28, won her first World Championship in 2013, and in 2014 founded NKBJJ — an exclusively female BJJ team. She headlined the SAGIG camp in November 2017.
Our values
No woman trains alone. SAGIG exists to make sure every woman on the mats in South Africa has a tribe to call her own.
From white belt to black belt, we believe BJJ changes women. We're here to support that journey at every step.
We grow the sport. More women on the mats means more sparring partners, more competitors, more coaches, more role models. Rising tide lifts all boats.
