Programme director, Ms Sheila Bhengu
Deputy National Commissioners Stander and Hlela
All provincial and divisional commissioners present
Secretary of Police, Ms Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane
Representative from ASSUPOL, Ms Celeste van Niekerk
Representative from ABSA, Mr Alfred Nkosi
Our special guests from the Women’s Networks of Angola, Mozambique, Swaziland and Botswana
Our South African Police Service (SAPS) Women’s Prestige Awards Achievers
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Malibongwe igama laMakhosikazi!
Malibongwe igama laMakhosikazi we South African Police Force!
Maliphakanyiswe igama laMakhosikazi we Women’s Network!
Ladies and gentlemen, we are honoured to be here this evening. Indeed this is a special and joyous celebration. It is a night where we honour the committed, dedicated, selfless and amazing women within our police force.
As the old saying goes: “Wa thinta abafazi, wa thinta imbhokodo” which means “You strike a woman you strike a rock.” I am using this analogy selectively to emphasize the bravery of women in our society. Women who despite some of the vicious challenges and hardships that life often throws at them, they become victorious in the end. They endure the struggles and negative challenges yet through their dedication and commitment, they remain “firm rocks.” You are our mothers, life companions and because of this fact you should by right affirm yourselves as equal partners with government in the fight against crime.
In almost all the sectors of our society, be it business, government or community structures one is bound to find such a woman: a woman of character and dedication. An exceptional woman who goes beyond just the normal duty, but putting an extra effort, all because The South African Police Service (SAPS) is no exception and that is why we are here tonight to say: we recognise and honour you for your contribution in our course of creating a safer South Africa.
Ladies and gentlemen, as government and as police leadership, we do recognise the important role that women play in the fight against crime. Whether as police officers or civilians. When we do so we move from an acknowledgement that their skills, abilities and talents need to be nurtured, developed and importantly, recognised. Our presence here serves to commend and express our gratitude to this cause. The SAPS Women’s Network, which gave birth to the Prestige Awards, is an important initiative within the department. Its role and objective includes providing a platform for women’s contribution and participation in changing the lives of the ordinary citizens, particularly, the victims of crime. We also recognise the important role the network plays in championing service delivery and social crime prevention to women within SAPS. Members of the network, who are women police officers and civilian employees, function as champions for campaigns, for instance, on social crime prevention programmes aimed at reducing contact crimes
Ladies and gentlemen, the release of the crime statistics two months ago revealed another worrying trend in relation to violence against women and children, particularly the increase in sexual offences. In addressing the increase in sexual offences we are cognisant of the fact that at least in part, this increase can be attributed to changes in legislation. Under the new Sexual Offences Act, a number of new categories of crime are now included as part of sexual offence. However despite the overall increase in sexual offences, we are heartened by the slight decline in crimes against women and children.
Nevertheless, we are still not entirely satisfied. Violence against women and children is still prevalent in our society. We are therefore encouraged to have within our department, initiatives such as this network, which forms but one of our many approaches in fighting the spectre of violence against women and children.
A key challenge we need to put to the network would be a comprehensive reflection of its impact, since formation in 2003. This reflection should not be based on the increase in membership, but how has it impacted and responded to some of the socio-economic conditions facing women within the force? We need to begin to evaluate how has it contributed to the social dialogue and cohesion amongst women? If so, how has this cohesion translated into tangible programmes to reduce the levels of crime, particularly on women? We need to introspect our achievements on how the network has improved the overall quality of women’s lives, whether it has indeed provided the necessary support structures for female employees of the force.
What gratifies us even further is that the membership to this network is not based on neither subscription fee nor strict academic criterion but on commitment, support for one another as well as inspired by the desire to succeed together. We also need introspect how far we have gone in facilitating the career development of women through training programmes, development of leadership programmes both within SAPS and outside and whether such skills have contributed to our goal: fighting and reducing crime. While these goals should be focused on inspiring other women to the network’s cause, they should instil fear in the criminals. Criminals must not view such initiatives as “pep-talk platforms” but rather as crucial programmes that aim to stop criminals in their selfish goals of robbing and killing. You should be seen as a force to be reckoned with in the fight against crime.
Ladies and gentlemen, our country has, over the years produced exceptional women who have made a valuable contribution to changing and improving their socio-economic situations. Such women come from all walks of life. When we reflect in the coming years on future women leaders, it would be great if some of these remarkable women emanated from the SAPS Women’s Network. We are confident that we have such a calibre of women in you. Through this structure, the SAPS women were able to spread their wings to cultivate, maintain and enhance partnerships with community based structures. These included business, churches and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), schools, orphanage and old age homes who have benefited from these partnerships.
Ladies and gentlemen, What the Women’s Network should guard against, is a creation of a separate and parallel framework in the fight against crime. A framework that seeks to alienate other role players. To this end, we are pleased to learn that pans to strengthen this collaboration and support from structures such as Men for Change (within the SAPS) are at an advanced progress. We therefore applaud and further make a call to our male employees to support the Women’s Network, both provincially and nationally. It is only in unity and constant engagement with our male employees within the force that the fight against criminals will be won.
The continued oppression of women can as well be worsened by some other women who use women oppression to climb the social ladder. They use the gender ticket for narrow material benefit which has no bearing to the course of women’s emancipation. Thus, the creation of the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, headed by a woman is a victory upon which we need to build women's emancipation programmes.
Let not your rank or title determine your dedication in serving the public. Whether one is at a superintendent, captain or commissioner level, this should not be a determining factor in your contribution to safeguarding your communities. What we require are selfless and dedicated ambassadors in fighting crime. Together, with the Women’s Network, we can fight crime.
We congratulate all our winners and finalists for your achievements. We hope that as you reflect on your achievements, you will be inspired to work even smarter and harder going forward. Tonight, we recognise and honour you as the unsung heroines whose dedication and selflessness must inspire not only women within SAPS, but the country as a whole.
We are proud to have such women within the Women’s Network!
Siyazi qhenya ngani Makhosikazi eMbuthweni wo Mama!
Re a ikgantsa ka lona boMme ba Mokgatlo wa Tshwaragano!
Ons is trots daarop om vroue soos julle in die Vrouenetwerk te he!
I thank you.
Issued by: South African Police Service
19 November 2009
Source: South African Police Service
