Programme directors
National Police Commissioner, General Bheki Cele
Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Sindi Chikunga
All SAPS Lieutenant Generals, Management and Staff present
Representative from ABSA, Mr Gordon Simanga
Representative from ASSUPOL LIFE, Ms Celeste van Niekerk
Our SAPS Women’s Prestige Awards Nominees and Achievers
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Malibongwe igama laMakhosikazi!
Malibongwe igama laMakhosikazi we South African Police Service!
Maliphakanyiswe igama laMakhosikazi we Women’s Network!
We commence tonight’s ceremony on a rather sombre mood as we bow our heads in respect to one of our country’s liberation icons, veteran trade unionist and MP, the late Ms Bertha Gxowa, who sadly passed away last week.
MaBertha, as we commonly referred to her, was undoubtedly one of our unsung heroines who selflessly dedicated her life for the betterment of all oppressed women. Notably, she was one of the women who led the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings. The country has indeed lost a stalwart and an advocate for women’s rights and emancipation. We shall forever remain indebted to her contribution and may her soul rest in peace.
For decades many women of our land, just like MaBertha, refused to confine themselves to narrow marginalisation by those who sought to divide-and-rule on the basis of gender. In the different epochs of the evolution of the history of South African women were relegated to a position which had ever-spreading disadvantages.
They were to fulfill their traditional role as bearers of children; they were to work on the land to supplement the low wages of the male migrants. Yet they were to be denied the gradual access to paid employment that would normally have provided them with a new status in a changing society.
Prior to the dawn of democracy, South African women of all walks of life especially and black and Africans, lived in a society that was not only racist, but also deeply sexist, but also oppressive to them as workers. These triple oppressions of race, gender and class are intertwined.
To an overwhelming extent the girl child's whole life, her education, her possibility of achievement, jobs and status, as well as everything affecting her personal relations, was predetermined by these factors.
These are some of the factors that led women such as MaBertha at her tender age of 17, to dedicate their lives so that things can change, change for better.
Today the challenges facing women within SAPS are not peculiar to the struggles faced by women during those years of struggle. The struggle must continue. The struggle is now about creating safety, fighting the scourge of rape, abuse, lawlessness, poverty and hunger.
As the leadership of police, we believe there are lots of capable women who are equal to achieving these tasks. Our firm belief is premised from a reality that, we have the caliber of such officers, we have the resources and importantly, we have a will and a desire to succeed.
One of the fundamental resources or platforms in our possession is the SAPS Women’s Network. Let us utilise this platform to change the current status quo. As we cautioned last year, the Network must resist from being turned into a talk-show where we discuss petty issues. It must be used to advance women in their endeavours of reducing crime and accelerating poverty alleviation.
Our theme should be in line with the ‘Celebration of the African Women’ which focuses on the gains the country has made in the 15 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action. As we begin to reflect over the past 15 years perhaps appropriately, we need to reflect on whether some of the many projects we witnessed at last year’s celebration are sustainable? Have they changed and improved the society for the better or have they worsened the challenges?
Today we can see the fruits of the SAPS Women’s Network. We know about the majority of corporate social investment initiatives out there.
A challenge we want to put to the Network is that it should be to be a champion in bettering the lives of the people, in true sense of the word. We have no doubt that this can be achieved. You have demonstrated over the past few years that together we can achieve more. Let us raise the bar now.Let us set ourselves new women empowerment standards. Not in words, but in practical actions.
Earlier, we interacted with some of the Network members through visiting some the exhibitions, and have to say we were impressed with the projects. From our women officers’ involvement in the revamping of victim-friendly facilities to gardening, they are very impressive. Some of these projects can best serve as inspiration to other impoverished and disadvantaged communities.
We learnt about the vegetable gardens in various provinces that were established and sustained, which have resulted in job opportunities. The abundance of low cost vegetables that are being sold to communities, and SAPS members using the produce to cook meals for awaiting-trial prisoners.
Through this programme, over 1 500 widows and widowers have been provided with support across the country. The Network has also integrated street children who may have deserted their families, for whatever reason, but importantly that they had been re-integrated back to their maternal families.
Amongst the many great initiatives, the Network held motivational talks on various radio stations specifically on gender-based violence, educating other women. More than 5 000 trees, including fruit trees, were planted by the Network in the whole country to support the government initiative of anti-global warming and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Women empowerment projects such as bead work, baking and sewing were established to equip women to provide for their families. This created more employment. To date, over 6 000 food parcels were distributed to needy families. Each province managed to adopt at least 10 vulnerable institutions: a hospice, old age home, orphanage, special school or other disadvantaged schools and continue to be of assistance. The Network managed to donate ± 40 wheelchairs to SAPS members and community members. Noting that a nation that is educated flourishes, the Network further donated stationery, books and school uniforms to about 500 schools; as well as adopting about 50 learners to pay for their school fees.
These are the kind of initiatives we want the nation to know about. Knowingly or unknowingly, we want to begin to change some of the negative perceptions in society about our Force. And indeed there is no appropriate evidence than through these initiatives. They may not make the front page headlines of newspapers, but as this leadership and management we have taken a stance that we shall continuously promote them, unambiguously.
We also need to take this opportunity to highlight the SAPS’ endeavours to move towards 50 percent women leadership. We need to ensure increased representation of women in operational and specialised environments.
This is a duty that must be carried by the management of this department. As the leadership we remain confident that it shall be achieved.
We also emphasised that the re-skilling of women across the department must be prioritised. To this end, we are pleased to note that the Emerging Leadership Programme and management training developments annually reserve 70 percent slots for women in order to improve mobility to the middle and senior positions and broaden the pool of women leaders in the force.
Furthermore, the executive development programme for senior managers caters especially for the previously disadvantaged groups, but with the special focus on women. The department continues to allocate bursaries annually to the previously disadvantaged groups and 50 percent are awarded to women.
Whilst these may be encouraging figures, we are nonetheless mindful that a lot still has to be done. We have therefore as the police leadership prioritised this matter because we do not want to see a lip-service approach when it comes to empowering women in the department.
It is therefore befitting to officially announce that our newly-appointed Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu amongst many of her duties in the department, I have tasked her to take over and provide leadership of all women-empowerment projects within SAPS. In the coming days she will be engaging with all parties both internally and externally, with a view of soliciting some of the key challenges which may be impeding our transformational agenda progress.
We are therefore confident that with her leadership capability in society and in particular as a women’s leader, she will enjoy the support of SAPS in general and women in particular. This is our leader and she is going to lead of us in this field. In the ministry she will also deal with programme 1, which is administration and programme 2, which is visible policing.
Indeed when we talk about empowerment of women, educating and promoting human rights and social participation of women police officers – we are talking about the SAPS Women’s Network.
We are certain most of the women in this hall are empowered, if not blessed with an array of opportunities – whether one looks at this empowerment academically, financially and socially. In the language of our forefathers, there is a saying that says: ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.’
This evening we want to pose a challenge to all of you who may be within these categories of lives. As we speak, there are lots of women within the employ of SAPS who may be operating in rural police stations, who may not be having the comfort of electricity, laptops, computers and even proper sanitation. Yet they still continue to fight crime, relentlessly so.
Such women are based in mostly remote and rural areas and carry with them heavy and often massive responsibilities. Their cause to fight crime is not defined by their surroundings but through their dedication to safeguard those who are vulnerable. It needs to be noted that amongst the people they protect, are men.
Their challenges are not only confined to policing, but they become multi-tasked as the situation requires. They extend their duties in areas where telecommunication facilities, if available, are not up to scratch thus inhibiting their efforts. They travel long distances in order to reach crime victims. Unlike most of the women police officers in this room, they do not have the luxury of cell phones and laptops, yet they still carry out their duties with diligence.
As we round-off this evening, we urge all the SAPS women to take a long and hard self-reflection. Do we still have within SAPS, women of MaBertha’s caliber? Do we still have women police officers who are prepared to go beyond their normal and daily call of duty?
Do we have fighters who are prepared to defend the weak and vulnerable? We believe we have lots of such women. We therefore make a clarion call to such women of goodwill, women of character to stand up and be counted in the fight against crime.
We congratulate all the winners. We also reiterate that as you celebrate your achievements; remember that your work has just begun. Let these awards inspire you to do even more.
Our celebrations should be touching the hearts of ordinary women folk out there in our communities. As we conclude we want to leave you with these words: ‘I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbour. Do you know your next door neighbour?’ Mother Theresa. Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi we SAPS! Let us all honour the dedication and character of SAPS women!
I thank you.
Zweli Mnisi
Tel: 012 393 4341 or 021 467 7007
Cell: 082 045 4024
E-mail: zwelim@saps.org.za
