PARKTOWN – The Police in Gauteng were, on Friday evening the 28th of October 2022, treated to a glamourous Excellence Awards ceremony held at Batter Boys Conference Centre in Montana, Tshwane. The winners who excelled in various categories walked away with certificates of recognition and trophies.

The Excellence Awards event is an annual awards ceremony which is one of the very few moments where the Service allows the men and women in blue to temporarily hang up their blue uniform and take time off from their often strenuous and challenging duties to relax and unwind. Due to the corona virus pandemic, the ceremony was not held for the past two years.

This annual event is held to recognise and acknowledge the men and women in blue, including support staff, reservists and Community Policing Forums, who displayed extraordinary excellence and commitment in the execution of their daily duties and beyond.

These awards are also meant to encourage and re-enforce a culture of excellence, exceptional conduct, and professionalism within the department to ensure that the SAPS realise its strategic objectives towards the enhancement of service delivery and ultimately striving to create a safe and secure South Africa for all.

This year’s awards boasted several categories including special awards dubbed “Movers and Shakers” by the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.

“Recognition is sometimes secondary to many of our members. We expect our members and all of us to perform beyond expectations because I assume we are all driven by passion and the love we have for the people we serve. But if you consistently exhibit performance that exceeds the standard expectations of your duties, you may be noticed by your manager and receive an excellent rating and recognition that you deserve. Show your diligence in completing your duties and encourage others to meet the standards of their jobs. Show loyalty to your employer and patriotism to your country. Your work should reflect the objectives of your component and the SAPS in general,” encouraged Lt Gen Mawela during his welcoming address.

Among the attendees of this prestigious evening was the MEC for Community Safety, Ms Faith Mazibuko, Deputy National Commissioner: Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, Divisional Commissioner: Human Resource Management, Lieutenant General Lineo Ntshea, Provincial Commissioners for Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape as well as Northern Cape, and other dignitaries which included sponsors and donors.

“Tonight, we are celebrating excellence in recognition of men and women in blue who have excelled in their endeavour to keep the citizens of Gauteng safe. We are celebrating you because you have gone beyond the call of duty and put your life on the line like the struggle stalwarts that we are celebrating and commemorating during the month of October. They put their lives on the line to ensure this democracy that we are enjoying. We are proud of you,” said MEC Mazibuko.

All members of the South African Police Service are urged to continue to provide excellent service to their communities.

Source: South African Police Service