Police constable cop bags medals
On top of fighting crime and helping township kids to groom their sports skills, Const Gladstone Shabangu from Nkowankowa outside Tzaneen continues to win awards and medals in national athletic competitions.
LIMPOPO – The 33-year-old police officer won gold medals in long jump, javelin and shot put during the South African Police Service National Athletics Championships held at the Tshwane Police Academy last month.
He achieved a 11,01 m distance in shot put, 51,89 m throw in javelin and 6,58 m in long jump. This performance saw him being selected to represent the SAPS at the Masters National Championships to be held in Bloemfontein later this month.
In October, he will take part in another SAPS National Athletics Championship in Durban.
“I have a passion for sport. While still at school, I used to play cricket and basketball but I soon realised team sport was not for me. A former teacher encouraged me to try field events and I fell in love with athletics. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to do what I enjoy and the SAPS for the platform to pursue my passion.
“I train myself because I don’t have a coach. When I am off-duty I spend every day practising at the stadium. I believe in hard work, dedication and discipline. I also love my job as a policeman because it gives me the opportunity to make our country a better and safer place,” he said.
Shabangu joined the police force in 2010 and is currently stationed at Maake Police Station. His career highlights in sport include setting a long jump record during the bi-annual Southern Africa Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisations Games (SARPCCO) in Namibia in 2013, and winning a silver medal during the next tournament in Swaziland in 2015.
He won a gold medal at the SAPS National Championship games at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in 2013, was named the Provincial Sports Star of the Year in 2016 and crowned SAPS National Sports Man of the Year in Sun City in January last year.
Shabangu is the founder of the Ritavi Cross Warriors Athletic Club in Nkowankowa Township, where he trains aspiring young athletes. Several of his young students have participated in and won medals in provincial and national competitions.
“I run the club from my own pocket. The club helps to fight crime by keeping these kids off the streets and away from the temptation of joining violent gangs and taking drugs and alcohol. It also gives me an opportunity to give back to my community,” he said.
Shabangu has been applauded by Greater Tzaneen mayor Maripe Mangena and Tzaneen Cluster Commander, Maj Genl Maggy Mathebula.
