Sandringham CPF Sector 1 Chief Commander refuses to let critics define her leadership
Female community leader challenge stereotypes and demand equal roles in sector safety initiatives across Bramley View, Lyndhurst and Kew.
When a group of men told Loraine Buzo to stay away from the Community Policing Forum (CPF), their words could have made her question her decision to help safeguard residents. Instead, the criticism failed to deter her passion for community safety.
Today, the Sandringham Sector 1 CPF commander wants her work to do more than help keep Sandringham, Bramley View, Lyndhurst, Kew and Organic Market safe. She wants to show other women that there is a place for them at the forefront of community safety.
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Buzo has experienced first-hand the doubts that can follow women who step into leadership roles. She recalls being criticised by some of the men in her area who told her to stay at home. At first, the words were painful. “It broke my spirit,” she said.
However, she chose not to fight her critics with words. “I don’t argue on social media. My response is: question my leadership, but you cannot question my commitment to a safer community.”
According to Buzo, credibility is earned on the ground. She believes a community leader cannot understand the challenges residents face by sitting behind a desk. Her approach is to walk the streets, attend meetings, interact with residents, and work alongside police and other organisations.
That hands-on approach has also exposed Buzo to some of the most difficult realities facing the community, particularly gender-based violence.
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She said these cases affect her deeply, because of her own experiences of being bullied by male family members.
“I can say I’m also a victim because my step-uncles and stepfather thought they could bully me, but I stood my ground and fought for what is rightfully mine while there are women who cannot fight back.”
Yet those experiences have strengthened rather than diminished her determination to stand up for women. Her faith, her children, and the small victories in the community help her continue.
Buzo’s own journey into leadership began with another woman. Years ago, she watched Lebo Kgang confidently hold a leadership position in a CPF. It was a moment that made her believe she could do the same.
Now she hopes to become that example for someone else. For her, the real measure of success will not be the title attached to her name, but the number of women who feel confident enough to step forward after seeing her do it.
“The legacy I want to leave is simple: that a woman from Sector 1 stood up, opened the door for other women to lead, and that Sector 1 became safer because women and men worked together equally.”
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