Kimberley:The Frances Baard District Commissioner, Major General Charlotte Makgari, along with her management team, hosted the inaugural Frances Baard District Excellence Awards at the Horseshoe Inn in Kimberley. The event, held on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, was organized to honor the exceptional achievements and dedication of individuals and teams within the district over the 2025/2026 financial year.
According to South African Police Service, the ceremony was officiated by the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, and was attended by prominent figures including the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Johnny Besnaar, and the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga. District Commissioners from across the province, Provincial Heads, Station and Unit Commanders from the Frances Baard District, as well as representatives from Organised Labour and the Frances Baard District Community Policing Forum (CPF) were also present.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana, the Kimberley Station Commander. Messages of support were delivered by representatives from the Frances Baard District CPF and Organised Labour. Major General Makgari highlighted the significance of the awards in recognizing excellence and fostering a culture of professionalism and accountability.
Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, in her keynote address, praised the Frances Baard District for its initiative in recognizing outstanding performance. She encouraged the members to uphold the SAPS mandate and maintain high standards of discipline and integrity.
During the awards ceremony, members and teams were acknowledged with certificates and trophies for their exceptional contributions, made possible through the support of various sponsors and partners. The event emphasized the importance of recognizing hard work and inspired members to strive for improved performance and service delivery.
Major General Makgari also expressed gratitude to the 13 Station Commanders for their dedication and presented a special gift to Lieutenant General Otola, who is set to retire next year. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Colonel G Marumo of the Frances Baard District office.
The SAPS Northern Cape Management congratulated all award recipients, encouraging them to uphold the high standards that earned them recognition, thereby reinforcing the organization's commitment to a professional and service-oriented police force.