ZWELITSHA – Provincial Youth Desk, which is a sub-structure of the mother body, the Community Police Forum (CPF) was elected yesterday, 10 June 2021 in a successful election embraced by all Districts, SAPS and the Provincial Board at Griffiths Mxenge Crime Prevention Boardroom.
Lt Colonel Mahlelehlele, representing the office of Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Policing-Brigadier Majikijela and Deputy Provincial Chairperson of CPF, Mr Mlawu welcomed the young leaders and committed to “support the team and assist capacitate it in all their efforts as they have been a missing component to complete the resource base the province has in fighting crime, particularly as it relates to the youth specific challenges.”
The election saw the following young leaders elected in the following portfolios:
▪︎Chairperson: Mr Phumezo Kondlo
▪︎Deputy Chairperson: Ms Mnothowandile Cele
▪︎Secretary: Mr Bongani Dolontile
▪︎Deputy Secretary: Ms Bongi Marali
▪︎Treasurer: Mr Olwethu Jabane
▪︎Communications Officer: Ms Sidwel Magocoba
▪︎Additional Members:
.Ms Sinazo Diyo
.Mr Chumani Sishuba
.Ms Siphokazi Mbube
Delivering a keynote, Mr Velani Mbiza Gola – Provincial Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Community Police Board said leadership is not a position but the inherent task embedded in a position and the eminent task of leadership is to produce more leaders who will be even more capable than their teacher.
“As the Provincial Board, in you, we see a breed and a chosen few who are bestowed with opportunity of being the future of this province in fighting crime. Hence we have taken the daunting and difficult task to build your structures with you.”
He encouraged the newly elected leaders to repel and refuse being to be manipulated and recruited by us old people (whether they are CPF or SAPS) into our own battles and demonic agendas especially those which seek to sow seeds of division in this partnership.
Quoting Vladimir Lenin he said, “the task of the youth is to learn, learn and learn. As Youth, do not be afraid to make mistakes as it is through mistakes that we get to learn. Remember only arm-chair critics don’t make mistakes because they are doing nothing. Mistakes are a consequential function of being at work.”
The freshly minted Youth Desk Provincial Chairperson, Mr Phumezo Kondlo in his acceptance speech, “Thank you for the responsibility you have given me and the collective. We promise to work with the Provincial Board and ensure that we champion the interests of young people. We are ready to work with you and support you in the best way we can.”
Mr Velani Mbiza Gola expressed his gratitude to the Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga and her management for the unwavering support and commitment in ensuring that as the EC we remain front runners in the country in Community Policing, Brigadier Ntsabo the Head of Visible Policing for the enabling environment for us to work unhindered, the respective District Boards for the support to the Provincial Board as we chattered muddy waters during the entire election period, the Honourable MEC for Community Safety and her HOD Mr Vuyani Mapolisa for consistently checking up on us and ensuring us of the Departmental support in our endeavours and the Portfolio Committee Members for ensuring checks and balances with a strong sense accountability. “Your efforts leadership have brought us this far. Thank you once again.”
Source: South African Police Service