Giyani cop wins top policing honour in Mopani District
Celebrated for his leadership and community engagement, Giyani police spokesperson Sgt Rikhotso was crowned Mopani’s Best Vispol Member of the Year.
LIMPOPO – Giyani police spokesperson, Sergeant Ridgewell Rikhotso, has been named the Best Vispol (Visible Policing) Member of the Year.
He received the award last Friday during the prestigious Mopani District Excellence Awards held at Shidila Lodge.
The award recognises Rikhotso as one of the district’s most outstanding police officers, celebrated for his dedication to serving communities and preventing crime. Along with the title, he received a trophy, cash, a certificate, and household items.
This achievement also qualifies him to represent Mopani District at the Limpopo SAPS Provincial Excellence Awards later this year. Should he win at the provincial level, he will go on to represent Limpopo at the National Excellence Awards.
In his acceptance remarks, Rikhotso expressed gratitude to his superiors for their mentorship and support.
“I credit my award to my superiors, starting from Mopani District commissioner Major General Willy Mashaba, followed by my local station commander Brigadier Solomon Serakwana, as well as the Vispol commander Colonel Musa Agnes Shiviti,” he said.
“The support I get from these three leaders has helped me earn this recognition. They build us into better officers, and even when we make mistakes, they correct us in a way that helps us learn and improve,” Rikhotso added.
He also encouraged colleagues who were nominated but did not win, reminding them that recognition extends beyond positions.
“All of us are winners; it’s just that not everyone can take the number one spot at the same time,” he said.
Rikhotso further highlighted the crucial role played by the community in his success.
“I would like to specifically thank our Giyani community for the good relationship we have with them. If we didn’t have this partnership, I wouldn’t have won this award. Instead of complaints flooding the station, the community allows us space to engage and resolve issues, even in difficult situations. That level of cooperation is invaluable,” he explained.
Before concluding, Rikhotso also acknowledged the media for their contribution, saying that without the media, his work would not have been known.
“Their contribution played a crucial role in spreading the message to the community that we serve,” he said.
