Soke Ben Mängels founded the South African Institute of Unarmed Combat (SAIUC) in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in 1981. Soke Ben was a Close Quarters Battle (CQB) instructor to the South African Army Commandos, Naval Marines, and British Special Air Service (SAS). Soke Mängels moved on to become the president of the “International Association of Close Combat Instructors”, and continues to teach close-combat in the United States through his Tactical Defence Academy. Soke Ben is an honorary life member of the International South African Institute of Unarmed Combat. The Institute is the only official representative of Soke Ben in Africa and South Africa.