Female brigadier encourages women to chase their dreams

They say each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women. This is the same sentiment shared by the Benoni SAPS station commander, Brig Thabo Mphuthi. The 55-year-old encourages all the women to focus on their dreams.

“Look for people who believe in your dreams, let them ride in that vehicle and transport you to your dreams. If something is yours nobody can take it from you,” said Mphhuti.

Mphuthi has had several managerial positions within the SAPS; she has been the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster deputy commander, district Vispol commander and a station commander in serval local stations.

The Springs resident said women are now given higher positions; however; it depends on the leadership style and how you portray yourself to others.

“There are still areas where patriarchy is still there and where our male counterparts feel like they are undermined when you are a female giving out instructions based on their authorities and upbringing that men should be heads and we must always be submissive, but there are those who understand that things have changed.

Mphuthi said she is where is because she is an ambitious person who fought to make her dreams come true, despite the challenges she had come across on her journey.

The station commander said wherever she goes, she tells her co-workers that it is good to be responsible at home, to love your partner and to be family-oriented. However, it becomes disturbing when you become a super-carer. Remember, you will not be able to catch any prey when you are at home.

“Most challenges for women is that they don’t want to move from their comfort and explore other avenues. We tend to be too responsible because when it comes to growth when an opportunity comes, we always put our families first instead of asking what is it that I can do to accommodate my family while also growing,” she said.

“I always tell young women that education is very important. Yes, opportunities are limited but when they come will you be one of those who will be considered for that position?

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“There are internal courses that one can take to upskill themselves. I believe that you will never grow if you don’t challenge yourself and won’t understand the world without exploring it. To be identified, always put extra effort in what will benefit you and the department you work for.”

The outspoken go-getter said she didn’t pass her matric very well. “There were subjects that I failed, such as isiZulu, which affected my marks and I had to redo the subject at an adult basic education and training (ABET).

“After that, I didn’t go to university but my mission was to improve the situation back home and I fought to make sure that I uplifted myself and my siblings, she said.

Mphuthi now holds a bachelor degree in policing, an honours in policing, a Master’s in policing from the Southern Business School and she is currently studying towards a PhD in management.

Her message to women is to only focus on August as the only month for women, each month is still women’s month because our contributions should not only be reconsidered this month.

“If we are only making an impact in August, then we are missing a point. Women need to identify who they are and when you know yourself you will understand where you want to go and what you want to achieve. Not only will that achievement uplift you but also other women who look up to you.”

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