Anand has served 49 years as a police reservist
When Mr Naidoo joined the reservist program at the Greenwood Park Police Station in 1970, he knew that his reward would not be financial but to promote a safer country for all and for his family’s future.
KINROSS – The love for fighting crime is what got Mr Anand Naidoo (69) involved in the South African Police Reservist program since 1970.
Now 49 years later, he received a medal for his commitment.
Mr Naidoo looks forward to marking his ‘half a century’ of service next year.
The reservist is one of 10 siblings, him being the third son to his mother Ms Kaliama and father Mr Dorasamy Naidoo.
Mr Naidoo was born and raised at Flanders Estate in Mount Edgecombe, just outside Durban.
After marrying his wife of 35 years, Ms Vani Naidoo, they moved to Kinross to start their new life in 1985.
The Naidoo’s have five children, four girls and one boy, all of which they are very proud of.
When Mr Naidoo joined the reservist program at the Greenwood Park Police Station in 1970, he knew that his reward would not be financial but to promote a safer country for all and for his family’s future.
For 15 years he reported to the Greenwood Park Police Station and his head office, Durban North Police Station.
When he moved to Kinross, he began working at Easter Bus Line and later went on to work for Potgieter Transport as a mechanic.
He also worked at Sasol through contracting companies in the position of a quality controlsman and a superintendent for many years.
Mr Naidoo enjoys serving the public by educating and enforcing the law when he is called upon.
A reservist is only compensated for their service when they are called on for big events like elections and strikes.
“I have been involved in very dangerous situations but I stood firm. I never allowed those dangerous situations to stop me from performing my duties.” said Mr Naidoo.
In 2010, Mr Naidoo was promoted to a Colonel Reservist after serving 40 years.
“I support him in what he is doing. Helping the community is a good thing and I am very proud of him,” his wife said.
Now that Mr Naidoo is ready to reach his 50th year of service as a reservist, he plans to encourage others to join the program and to support the South African Police.
“Even though the public does not recognise me, I will continue to do what I love and that is to fight crime,” Mr Naidoo said.
He was previously based at Evander Police Station, Kinross Police Station and is now at the Secunda Police Station.
Coming so many years later, Mr Naidoo said that he feels like he has not done enough and wishes to do a lot more in the years ahead.
“I would like to start a program that educates the public about becoming a reservist and also recruiting many more reservists around the country, on a national level,” he added.
He expressed how proud he is to be a part of the police and that he will never turn a blind eye to crime.
With so much more on his to-do list, Mr Naidoo is not backing down any time soon.
He thanked the South African Police for authorising his 40 years medal and is looking forward to his 50th.
