Programme Director
Emalahleni Executive Mayor Clr Sithole
South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy National Commissioner Mgwenya
SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lt-General Thulani Ntobela
Provincial SAPS senior management
The custodians of this glittering event, The Women’s Network
Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) HOD Thulani Sibuyi
DCSSL management
All the sponsors
Men and women in blue uniform
Traffic officers
Government officials
Members of the media
Lastly, all the beautiful women who will be honoured tonight
It was eleven months ago, on this very same venue, and on the same event, when I publicly committed myself that after nine months, Mpumalanga province would be a better place.
It is a great honour indeed to stand before you again, and say, Yes Mpumalanga is a better place to live.
The tribute should however go to men and women who work passionately and tirelessly in ensuring that Mpumalanga citizens live peacefully.
Our province was declared number one in terms of reducing crime.
I was happy with these results because even my wife uMaZwane understood that when I work at night during the weekends with SAPS we were not playing!
Ladies and gentlemen the reduction in crime was as a result of the hard working men and women in blue, it is befitting that we should give them a round of applause.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to give honour to women who have gone just beyond the call of duty to fight crime, but have found it in their hearts to do something humane for the people they work for.
Although only few will take home awards, in my opinion, they are all winners.
The women officers, who will be honoured tonight, have displayed passion for the people they work for. Many of us would asked ourselves what is in for us when we have to change the lives of others for the better.
That is why I like the father of American literature of the 19th century, Author Mark Twain, when he says; “It is better to deserve the honours and not have them, rather than to have them and not deserve them,”
Even if some of you do not win any award, do not be despaired, keep on doing good for your people. People will not remember you for what you said, or what you did, but they will remember you for how you changed their lives for the better.
This must a challenge to other women officers who are doing absolutely nothing. You must ask yourselves how you want to be remembered when you retire from the police service.
As a department, we will continue to support the police in their endeavours of ensuring a crime-free Mpumalanga province.
In our efforts of supporting the police, we have introduced the “Red Traffic Berets” to assist reduce accidents on the roads.
Ababophi banomuntu phansi!
Since their introduction last week, I have received accolades from many people saying finally something is being done about road safety.
The Traffic Intervention Unit will focus on the killer roads because ladies and gentlemen we have had enough road carnages.
This is our effort to contribute towards reduction of fatalities. In the previous financial year alone, our province recorded over 10 000 accidents and close to 3 000 people were killed.
The Unit will be equipped with technology which will help them see from a distance if the vehicle is not roadworthy. They will be able to see if the vehicle is overloaded. They will be able to detect if the driver owes tickets for traffic violation.
Some people, who are opposed to our government, have created confusion about the speed cameras around our province that they are illegal. I want to confirm to you that they are indeed legal.
Those who owe tickets should go and pay to avoid inconvenience.
In conclusion ladies and gentlemen, I would like to congratulate all the winners tonight. Remember that to succeed, you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you and something to inspire you.
Winners always visualise the rewards of success whilst the losers visualise the penalties of failure.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you, for your attention.
