Senior Board Members
All protocol observed.
Daughters of the soil, a very good morning to you. I am humbled by being afforded an opportunity to be with you here today. It is indeed a privilege to be among you. Gatherings of this nature, where women discuss matters that confront us as women in this day and age, are very important, as they also serve as an opportunity to reflect on the road we have traveled thus far.
The positioning of South African women today is inextricably inseparable from the women of yesteryear. It is almost impossible to speak of the present without relating to or visiting the past. We always have to remember and pay homage to the women of courage and determination who sacrificed so much for us to realise a better South Africa. Today we are referred to as a miracle nation, and woven into that miracle are the women of the nation. Today, thanks to our predecessors, we are presented with leadership opportunities, and in us is vested the responsibility to be the voices of women whose cries over the years remain unheard.
Today we are referred to as a miracle nation, and woven into that miracle are the women of the nation. Today, thanks to our predecessors, we are presented with leadership opportunities, and in us is vested the responsibility to be the voices of women whose cries over the years remain unheard.
In as much as our “modern” society has become accustomed to seeing women in powerful political, professional and societal positions, women like AU Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Chancellor Angela Merkel and many others, we continue to be confronted by set traditional ideas about gender roles and more specifically about how femininity and womanhood should be expressed. While 21st century women have taken great strides in attaining greater rights and freedoms, the levels of discrimination against, and the ongoing stereotyping of women shows that the battle rages on and it’s up to women to begin to define who and what they are, for themselves and for the generations of women to come.
It is liberating to note that today, 20 years into democracy, we can together, as women, gather and put matters on the agenda that will assist us in achieving total emancipation in this beautiful country of ours. Women today are in a much better space socially, economically and in terms of educational qualifications.
Today we have a voice, and we are able to make contributions in society through various platforms and structures. We have also contributed a lot towards the transformation of our country, but - admittedly - a lot still needs to be done.
Ladies, allow me to acknowledge South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICAs’) efforts in transformation. When 1994 commenced, SAICA had fewer than 14 600 members. By 2014 it had grown to over 36 000. Your eagerness to involve yourself in directly transforming the lives of young people inspires me. It inspires me because, in the words of our global icon and former president, Mr Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
The government's commitment to public/private partnerships has been communicated many times, highlighting its importance. This approach recognises the significance of collaboration among ourselves to rapidly achieve more. Your commitment in this regard is evident in the success of the Thuthuka programme, which is widely recognised by the highest level of government.
Our successes in the sphere of public/private partnerships can be attributed to the contributions of all role-players who strategically aligned their programmes to complement their Constitutional mandate, so that the bigger goals can be achieved. I urge SAICA to continue to work closely with other private partners and government in addressing the imbalances of the past.
We want to see more women, including those who were previously disadvantaged, being Chartered Accountant (CA's) and leaders in respected institutions and industries. There is also a dire need for their skills in the public sector. I can say confidently that the South African Police Service (SAPS) can certainly use those skills.
Furthermore, a pervasive patriarchal attitude is one of the challenges that we must continue to engage society on. Indeed, although we have realised a significant amount of women representatives in cabinet and in parliament, we need more women in other sectors of the economy.
Programme Director, I have been asked to reflect on "How do I take responsibility for the tough decisions that I make". When I accepted with humility the enormous responsibility of leading the men and women in blue, I knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. The SAPS, since inception, has never in its lifespan been led by a woman. I am very honoured to be the first. It is an extremely challenging position to be in but, between you and I ladies, a woman’s touch is often commended by men.
Today, the rights of women and children are being violated in the most brutal and pitiless manner. These notorious crimes against women and children are so rampant. Not a day goes by without reports of these heinous crimes. It is worrisome. We have even exhausted adjectives to describe these types of crimes against women and children.
It is difficult to imagine the trauma the victims have to face after being raped, belittled and abused in this manner, the excruciating pain they have to endure when they go through these unjust experiences.
Today, it is time to come forward and become brutally honest about the challenges we face in this regard. We need to make tough decisions to proactively respond to such criminalities. What is our position as the SAPS in terms of this challenge and what is our role? The SAPS is taking the obscured perpetration of obscene and brutal crimes against women and children as a matter of urgency.
The SAPS’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences specialised unit, with representation across all 176 cluster areas countrywide, is led by a woman, Major General Botsheleng. A total of 200 forensic social workers have been appointed to deal with crimes against children in order to provide expert evidence in court.
Since the re-establishment of these Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units four years ago, there were a combined 36 225 year imprisonments and 695 life imprisonments. The FCS units continue to do all they can to protect the interests of young women who are the leaders of tomorrow.
In pursuit of a crime-free South Africa, I have called on our members to establish a forum which consists of criminal investigating officers, detectives, forensic examiners, academia and service providers of forensic programmes to engage in the investigation of crime and forensic-related issues.
This will assist in improving the standard applied in the forensic value chain.
Furthermore, the SAPS’s voluntary Women's Network is a gallant reminder of the celebration of women’s progress and achievement in an inexpert democracy.
I am delighted that in this country, in this government, in the SAPS, supporting the rise of female leaders is a national priority. In our country, the number of women in the SAPS has grown significantly. Women in blue are blazing a path for all who have the drive and desire to serve.
Our dream and hope that someday there will be a female National Commissioner of the SAPS has come true in our lifetime. It is our time through excellence, unparalleled work ethic and unquestionable integrity to carve a compelling portrait of a courageous, confident, focused and determined movement of women in the SAPS that can profoundly influence the face and destiny of our nation. We hold the keys to the future success of women at large and in our policing.
I can give many examples, but let me share this one: The SAPS Crime intelligence Division is critical for our ability to deliver on our policing mandate. Whilst we are working very hard to resolve Executive Leadership issues including popular names that continue tomenjoy publicity, the appointment of the highly qualified and experienced Acting Divisional Commissioner: Crime Intelligence - Major General (Dr) Bongiwe Zulu, a very hard working woman, the first woman to be appointed into the pivotal role. Although she is appointed in an acting role to head Crime Intelligence, she has brought about calm, focus, improved control and improving discipline. Members are now focused on their official duties and we are thankful for the excellent leadership that Major General Zulu is providing.
Furthermore, after a long period of leaders being appointed in acting roles, we have made permanent appointments, with the assistance and leadership of Major General Zulu, for Heads of Crime Intelligence in various provinces. We are modernising administration in Crime Intelligence and progressing with policy reviews and updates. It is pertinent to note that we have made significant progress in the financial performance of the Crime Intelligence secret fund. In 2012 the fund’s financial management was given a “disclaimer” opinion by the Auditor-General. The running of the secret fund was in such a bad state that the Auditor-General could not express an opinion.
In 2013 it improved to a “qualified” opinion, further improving to an “unqualified” audit opinion in 2014. This means the fund is run far better than it was in the past. May I again remind you, under the competent leadership of an educated woman!
We have to embark on a journey of implementing the recommendations of the National Development Plan, in particular as it relates to demilitarising and professionalising the police.
We will organise a public dialogue on the issue of demilitarisation so that we involve the key role players, including research institutions, civic organisations and members of the public. Civilianising the SAPS is non-negotiable and is an objective we are determined to achieve.
As it relates to professionalising the police, we’ve launched South Africa’s first police university in Paarl, Western Cape, with the first intake of 120 learners for 2014 who commenced with their studies towards a Bachelor of Policing degree. We also have a project management course for women police officers in Paarl. In addition, the Belgian government is sponsoring a public management course for cluster commanders. This is run through the University of Pretoria.
What further propels my engaging the complex portfolio is that I recognise the fact that in leadership you bring into the equation your personal attributes as well as philosophies that shape your leadership distinctiveness or character? In the leadership endeavours, I am always guided by what I call the “ISE” philosophy- this stands for Integrity; Service for others before self; and Excellence.
- Integrity is the strongest currency everyone needs. Invest in the currency; keep it strong it shall always secure you.
- The servant-leader is a servant first… it begins with the natural feeling of wanting to serve and the deep desire to serve others first.
- Giving your best in fulfilling your role; uncompromising quality and outstanding superior delivery becomes ones guiding mantra.
In addition to the personal philosophy I shared, I chose to be a Change Agent.
Being a change agent is a noble aspiration. I assume, of course, that “good change” is at the heart of this aspiration. There are instances where change is destructive. The thesis that guides me is that of positive and beneficial change. In my mind, change is akin to "making people better".
This is something we should all strive for.
The dictionary definition posits that a change agent is someone who "alters human capability or organisational systems to achieve a higher degree of output or self-actualisation." It is one who drives initiatives that positively benefits others. The entire effort of a change agent is deliberate, focused and by and by and large progressive.
The goal of a change agent is obviously to make changes that stick.
The result of change agent activity is to enable people to do more, or find a new and better perspective on life. Sometimes this may mean laying the foundation for future change which achieves outcomes that were previously not attainable.
A change agent lives in the future, not the present.
Regardless of what is going on today, a change agent has a vision of what could or should be and uses that as the governing sense of action.
- A change agent is fuelled by passion, and inspires passion in others
- A change agent recognises Change is hard work. It takes a lot of energy
- A change agent has a strong ability to self-motivate
A change agent must understand people: At the end of the day, change is about people. If you change everything but the people, I doubt you'll be effective as a change agent. Change will really "stick" when people embrace it.
As the first woman to lead the South African Police Service, or any police service on this continent, my philosophy is that when one becomes "the first" at anything, there must be a commitment to ensure that you don't become a crafter of narrow paths. One should rather be a creator and crafter of highways.
They always say, when you go up the ladder make sure you hold your ladder firm so that others too can come up the ladder after you. I recognise that leaders like myself represent the aspirations of many women in various walks of life. So if I succeed, I’m not succeeding just for myself as a woman. I am succeeding for many women in this country. The big question is; “will you wait for change or will you be the change agent?
I thank you.
