POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Corporate Services Major General Christine Moralakadi have yesterday, 02 September 2021 converged at SAPS Seshego Lapa outside Polokwane, for the election of the Provincial Women’s Network and Men for Change Executive Structures.

The delegates in attendance were the Provincial Head of Operational Command Center Brigadier Dikeledi Mangena, Provincial Head Inspectorate Brigadier Fredrinah Huma, Provincial Head Crime Registrar Brigadier Josephine Molema, Provincial Women’s Network Champion Chairperson Brigadier Marry Mashila, Provincial Men for Change Champion Chairperson Lieutenant Colonel Remmonejeso Sekgotha.

The roadshow began with the election of District executive structures in August 2021, where members from all levels of command in the five Districts, wholeheartedly and with high spirits honoured the call by the Provincial Commissioner of the two structures to be revived. The structures have brought both men and women in blue under one roof to lock their heads in being part of the solutions instead of the problem, in the society battling gender-based violence and Femicide.

Brigadier Molema facilitated the programme, whereas Chaplain Ramatsego opened with a prayer. Brigadier Mangena welcomed the members of Women’s Network and Men for Change in all the Districts. She encouraged the participants to feel free and confident in everything they do.

Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Morakaladi outlined the purpose of the gathering, which was to elect the Provincial executive committee. She also encouraged the members to support the elected structues for the benefit of the organisation.

Provincial Women’s Network Chairperson Brigadier Mashila in her motivation speech, said we must indicate the achievement of gaining a female Provincial Commissioner that lead into motivating one another and appreciating the work done by everyone, in order to continue to make a difference and enable SAPS Women’s Network vehicle to deliver on it’s mandate.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Men for Change Chairperson Lieutenant Colonel Sekgotha reflected on the journey the members travelled since the inception of Men for Change Structure, the hardships of making sure that they register their presence to support women to advocate issues of social ills.He also appreciated the Provincial Commissioner’s support for both structures.

In her keynote address, the Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, congratulated all those who have been elevated to the different committees by their own constituencies.

“Today we have marked and also nominated the full structures in their capacities. I believe these structures will hit the ground running and look at issues that need to be addressed by us the leadership in the province, whether within the management echelons, institutions or community.

” Your passion will never go unnoticed because being an activist in the two structures, requires certain category of passion and I believe the people who have elevated you today, must have realised the passion you are having in many spheres or issues that might be bothering either the community or ourselves or any other person. Let us all take a conscious decision to listen to everyone that comes in our centers or approach our space.Lets have all the Round Table discussions we managed to have with a number of topics we need to run but first, lets heal ourselves so that we can be a shoulder for others to cry on, Concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.

The results are as follows:

MEN FOR CHANGE

*Chairperson – Lieutenant Colonel Sekgotha R.S: Capricorn District

*Deputy Chairperson- Sergeant/Advocate Molepo: Capricorn District

*Secretary: Sergeant Nkwashu: Mopani District

* Deputy Secretary: Sergeant Mokgotho: Sekhukhune District

* Treasurer: Sergeant Khumalo: Waterberg District

* Public Relations Officer: Constable Rhikhotso: Mopani District

WOMEN’S NETWORK

Chairperson: Brigadier Mashila M.:Mopani District

Deputy Chairperson: Colonel Maja:Waterberg District

Secretary:SAC Dama : Vhembe District

Deputy Secretary: Constable Maswanganyi: Mopani District

Treasurer: Sergeant Kgwedi: Sekhukhune District

Public Relations Officer: Sergeant Masingi: Waterberg District.

Source: South African Police Service