Brakpan police and PSA members paused and celebrated cultural diversity as the heartbeat of their services on September 23.

The members gathered on the police station grounds, dressed in various traditional attire. The event was officially opened with a prayer by Captain Godfrey Booysens of the Employee Health and Wellness Unit.

“Beneath the SAPS blue uniform, there is a rich, vibrant, and beautiful tapestry of backgrounds, languages, and traditions,” said Brakpan SAPS social crime prevention and communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi.

“When SAPS members report for daily duties, they do not leave who they are. Instead, it is their unique cultural heritages that make them better protectors of the communities they serve.

“It is the diverse backgrounds that teach police members the meaning of Ubuntu, the belief that they are human through the humanity of others.”

Each SAPS component brought different cultural dishes to share. The food and drinks included Ting (fermented porridge), dumplings, mopani worms, homemade ginger beer, tripe, and trotters, to name a few.

“Cultural plurality becomes an operational asset in times when a Zulu speaking police officer calms a distressed family in their home tongue, or an Afrikaans speaking police officer bridges a gap with an elderly community member,” said Buthelezi.

“This builds trust and shows the public members that the SAPS is not an abstract organisation.”

Buthelezi explained that the heritage celebration was to not only remind the police members who they are, but also to anchor the SAPS members to move forward.

“The SAPS’ shared mission is peace, safety, and justice. But the SAPS’ superpower is their unity in diversity,” she said.

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“The discipline shared inside the service is polished and strengthened by diverse wisdom. By wearing the SAPS badge with pride, honouring democracy, and sharing traditional foods, the Brakpan SAPS proves that differences do not divide them, but equip them.

“Brakpan SAPS believes that a Rainbow Nation needs a rainbow protective shield.”

Anastasia Marabele from human resource management rendered an item by praising her clan names in Sepedi (Northern Sotho).

Station commander Brigadier Johanna Ngoma, in her vote of thanks speech, encouraged the members to carry the spirit of Ubuntu beyond the festivities.

She further encouraged teamwork and respect for one another at the workplace, showing compassion to the public, and reminded the SAPS members that their strength lies in their ability to stand together, no matter their differences.