Pretty in pink and honoured to be in blue
Lieutenant Colonel Tsoadi believes that South Africa has strong women who can take it forward.
One of their duties is to create a safe environment for South Africans and Lieutenant Colonel Christinah Tsoadi is the woman ensuring that Tarlton Police Station is doing just that.
Christinah began her journey as a policewoman at the Krugersdorp Police Station and moved to various branches until she arrived at Tarlton in November last year. It was her passion of assisting people that led her to the police service and the 25 years she has spent in the service have only served to strengthen her passion for the force. Being a woman in a senior position in any industry comes with its challenges, but Christinah is not fazed.
“There is a challenge whenever there are more males than females, but as a leader you learn to win your teams’ trust. Get them to work with you and not against you, and accommodate them where necessary,” she told the News.
She admitted that when you start working in a new area with a different team, people are bound to have their own perceptions about you, but that has not deterred her one bit.
The mother of three encourages women to join the South African Police Service.
“There are many opportunities for women in the police service and what I appreciate about the police is that you will get skills that you will not get in the corporate world. There will be many opportunities to further your career,” she said.
Going beyond Women’s Month, Tarlton Police Station has initiatives that empower and celebrate women. Christinah and her team often visit the communities they serve – not only to address issues such as domestic violence, but to find and cure the cause of such issues.
She emphasised that although there have been challenges, all police members of the force are equal, regardless of their gender. The determined Lieutenant Colonel wishes to see herself in the position of General in future.
“If Joyce Banda can be a president of a country, there is nothing stopping a young policewoman from being a general or a police commissioner. Every woman, regardless of what career she chooses, can be anything she wants to be, but only if she is dedicated,” Christinah said.
She believes that women should build up each other even after Women’s Month. She is grateful for women such as West Rand Cluster Commander, Major General Anna Mateisi because she has contributed a lot towards her career and personal development.
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