Programme Directors, Colonel Gloria Jezile and Mr Vuyo Mbuli
Deputy Minister of Police, the honourable Ms M M Sotyu
All Deputy National Commissioners present
All Divisional and Provincial Commissioners Present
The Host, Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lt General Mbombo
Representatives from Microsoft SA, Assupol Life, Massmart, BAC and SARPCCO
Representatives for SAPU, Popcru, and the CPF’s
The 2010 Women’s Prestige Award Winner Constable Ntuli
All Senior Officers present
Distinguished Guests
Members of the Media
Protocol Observed
Ladies and Gentlemen
You Strike A Woman, You Strike A Rock! Malibongwe Igama Lama Khosikazi!
A very good evening to you all and thank you for being part of this memorable and outstanding event in the annual calendar of the South African Police Service (SAPS). It is amazing to note how society embraces the debate on women transformation issues. The popular slogans aimed at acknowledging the role of women are known by almost all societal groupings both young and old. More often you listen to women greeting each other using the words like 'mbokodo' or sometimes ' malibongwe' even male counterparts do the same. We say all of this with pride knowing the history behind the lingo.
If it wasn't for the brave women in the early 1950's, if it wasn't for the women in villages, if wasn't for the women in social and political sectors, if wasn't for the women in blue all over the country going beyond the call of duty, if it wasn't for our political leaders leading from the front. We wouldn't be this proud standing high in pedestals unashamedly acknowledging the role of women in human kind.
It is definitely not about comparison however it is about how we complement each other as we embrace and advance our developmental agenda in all spheres politically, socially, economically and otherwise. Distinguished guests, I can vividly recall my days growing up as a young boy in the dusty streets of Ashdown, and ema-Farm when visiting my grandparents in the rural areas. Life was tough, what kept us going as young boys, was our determination and being able to realise our dreams. We used to play soccer and engage in dangerous activities testing our manhood.
The village was generally poor with lack of basic services and everything that we know about our history. Most households could barely survive, for there was no one working; no source of income, obaba bethu nomkhulu bethu were migrant workers in big cities. The only source of hope was our mothers and grandmothers. Even though there was no food in the kitchen, but rest assured we would not go to bed hungry. We had shelter and clothing - for some strange reason they were able to make ends meet. Families were their reason for living. I'm sharing this with you this evening for one reason only.
We don't have to justify why we acknowledge the role of women in society, we grew up witnessing their unique character and contribution without expecting awards and recognition. They are doing it, because it is in their nature. Yes, the finalists in our midst tonight feel grateful and honoured when they receive these awards. However I can assure you they do it out of love, passion, and definitely not for reward. As we reward them, we do it for the sole purpose of support, encouragement and of course as living examples that we all have a role to play.
Deputy Minister, we feel honoured by your presence this evening. When we see our political leadership at a coalface of matters of national importance and programmes critical to our course, we gather strength and motivation hence our commitment to our fundamental mandate of serving and protecting fellow South Africans.
As the Acting National Commissioner, I have made a commitment to further contribute positively in the initiatives and programmes aimed at advancing the course for the emancipation of women in the workplace. Ladies and Gentlemen taking over the role of leading the organisation is indeed a mammoth task, however through unity, partnership and collective governance we will do justice to the responsibility bestowed upon us in the interest of service delivery.
It is worth mentioning that issues of gender equality and recognising the role of women in the police service are at the heart of our National Commissioner General Bheki Cele, in fact he is very passionate about these issues. For him it was not about sounding good when addressing public platforms however, the results are speaking in volumes.
For the first time in the history the SAPS we have seen numbers of capable and competent female managers doubling, we have seen the intake of female trainees increasing, we have seen more enthusiastic and credible women in specialised environments. The truth is, we are far from achieving our target as set by government, nevertheless we remain proud of what we have achieved thus far.
This auspicious occasion, which serves to recognise our brightest stars who went beyond the call of duty is not accidental, but culminates from a year-long intensive undertaking by managers of the Women’s Network to identify individuals who as women were able to undertake and sustain programmes – either as a police officer or as a civilian member – that make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Through our endeavour to award the most deserving women, we are well aware of the fact that it is not easy to choose the best eagle when all of them display a strong character. Allow me to sound controversial and say “You are all winners” for coming this far and for making a significant impact in changing lives of ordinary South Africans.
Tonight we are honoured by the presence of the most deserving winners of the provincial and national Head Office prestige awards. We are grateful that, in the end, all your hard work has paid off and that you were able to make a difference and be recognised for doing so. Deputy Minister what is humbling and impressive is the fact that most of our finalists are women at lower levels in the SAPS.
In fact the winner for 2010 Prestige Awards is a constable. Allow me to take this platform and challenge the Provincial Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners to make sure that, where we see potential, vigour and determination - it cannot be business as usual; we cannot sit and ignore potential that could benefit the organisation.
Some of these women are championing projects of international importance some are held in high esteem by communities they serve. I am therefore making a call to SAPS management to do more in embracing such programmes, more especially the members behind these unique achievements.
We need more of your calibre of workforce – a workforce that is able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the destitute, neglected, orphaned or abandoned, terminally ill, disabled or addicted. A workforce that will take care of victims of abuse, including those who are sexually abused, and a workforce that will ensure that those who commit atrocious crimes are thoroughly investigated and convicted, is what we need.
We need a workforce which recognises, as you have done, that attending to matters such as alternative recreation for children or advancing sustainable development and education among communities are important factors that can contribute to crime reduction
In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the nominees for tonight’s prestigious award for having made an indispensable contribution to the wellbeing of others. We are confident that although much must still be achieved, a permanent mark and positive difference will be affected within the communities you serve.
Wathinta Abafazi! Wathinta Imbokodo!
Ngiyabonga.
