VANDERBIJLPARK – Cultural attire was the order of the day as police in Sedibeng District celebrated Heritage Day on September 23 at Caravan Park.
From Zulu invunulo, Sotho tshikga, Afrikaner browns to colourful Swati wraps, the men and women in blue proved they can serve style just as well as they serve safety.
Each police station showed a different culture, with the park bursting into a festival of music, dance, and food.
The braai smoke and pot aromas told their own story as high-ranking judges tucked into traditional dishes, hunting for the tastiest table in the district.
Speaking to Ster, Sedibeng number one police officer Major General Nkhensani Mukwevho explained how the day came about.
“Sedibeng District SAPS decided to host a Heritage Celebration as part of embracing South Africa’s rich cultural diversity and fostering unity within the Service and the broader community. Heritage Month is not only about remembering where we come from, but also about strengthening social cohesion, mutual respect, and inclusivity,” she said.
Mukwevho added, “For SAPS, such a celebration provides an opportunity to promote unity in diversity among members and the communities we serve; acknowledge and appreciate different cultural identities represented within SAPS; build morale and pride in the organisation by celebrating traditions, languages, and customs; strengthen community relations, showing that policing is not only about law enforcement, but also about being part of the social fabric of society; and to align with the national calendar, where September is recognised as Heritage Month in South Africa.”
Sharing her expression on the success of the event, Mukwevho said, “I stand with great pride and joy after witnessing the success of our Heritage Celebration. This event has truly reminded us of the strength that lies in our diversity and the beauty of our collective identity as South Africans.”
SAPS members came together not only as colleagues but as brothers and sisters, showcasing the richness of their different cultures, languages, and traditions. “The atmosphere was filled with unity, respect, and pride, values that are at the very heart of the SAPS,” she concluded.
