Celebrating 50 years of women in the South African Police Service

Female police members from all over Gauteng recently came together to celebrate 50 years of women in the South African Police Service.

The event was held at the prestigious Usambara Lodge and was attended by some of Gauteng’s highest-ranking police officers, including the West Rand District commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, who said it was an honour to host the event for the women that he came up with in the police force.

He said men wished to see women supporting each other.

“Some men will take advantage of women and their situation when they see they are divided.”

Major General Girly Mbele also addressed the women who all wore white, and said they were celebrating the first women who were recruited into the South African Police Force in 1972.

“Let fear not rule who we are, we are empowered and we know what to do,” she said.

One of the highlights of the day was the presence of Major General Henrietta Bester who used to be a very prominent police officer and had since retired. She told the women they should take pride in their appearance whether they are in or out of uniform, as appearance plays a big part in the way their colleagues, management and community view them.

Other key speakers at the event was Colonel Makwebula, Colonel Christelle Booysen and Major General Anna Sithole.

Betty Nkoane from the Thoughtful Path in Munsieville also spoke to the women about how their organisation was thankful for being able to work so closely with the police, especially female police members. She said she hoped that they would continue to support the organisation.

Each District brought donations of food and other necessities which they donated to the Thoughtful Path.

This was just one of many build-up events before the main event, the Golden Jubilee National launch, that took place on National Police Day on January 27 at Emperors Palace.