POLOKWANE – The South African Police Service in Limpopo held an official function in the form of a Gala Dinner last night, Friday, 21 January 2022, to welcome the newly endorsed Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and to bid farewell to the retired District Commissioners Major General Maggie Mathebula and Major General Rosina Mulaudzi.
The lavish event was held at Bolivia Lodge on the outskirts of the City of Polokwane, attended by high profile dignitaries that included the MEC for Transport and Community Safety Mrs Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, the Chairperson Portfolio Committee on Transport and Community Safety, Mme Seono, the Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Teffo, the Judge President of the Limpopo Division of the High Court, Judge Makgoba, the Deputy National Commissioners, Lieutenant General F.N Vuma responsible for Support Services, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola responsible for Policing, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga, the Deputy National Head of DPCI Luitenant General Tebello Mosikili and the Divisional Commissioner of HRM Lieutenant General Lineo Ntshiea.
In attendance, were also the Provincial Commissioner of Western Cape, Lieutenant General Patekile, the Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Mene, the Deputy Provincial Commissioners Major General Jan Scheepers and Major General Christine Morakaladi, the Representatives of the Saps Management from other Provinces, the Provincial Heads, the District Commissioners, the Station Commanders, the Retired Provincial Commissioners, SAPU and POPCRU Labour Unions, CPF and CSF Chairpersons and several other stakeholders.
Earlier in the day, the invited guests and community members gathered at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, to witness a proud ceremony of the handing over of the sword of command, affirming the official appointment of Lieutenant General Thembi Monicca Hadebe, as the ninth and first female Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo. A historic moment in the calendar of SAPS in Limpopo
Lieutenant General Hadebe who previously served as the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services in the Mpumalanga province, joined the South African Police Service 35 years ago.
Whereas, the two extraordinary women, retired Waterberg District Commissioner Major General Rosina Mulaudzi and Mopani District Commissioner Major General Maggie Mathebula, have both led from the front in their leadership and intergrity for over two decades and have made incredible impact in the organisation and in the community. The retired Major General Mulaudzi had proudly served the organisation for 34 years and Major General Mathebula for 33 years.
The Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Teffo welcomed the guests to the event. The purpose of event and acknowledgment of guests items were rendered by Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Corporate Services Major General Christine Morakaladi.
Various speakers gave messages of support including the Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Francina Vuma who indicated that as a Patron of a formidable structure in the SAPS, Women’s Network and Men for Change and the initiator as well as the pioneer of the women empowerment agenda 2019/2024 strategy in SAPS, she is proud to confirm that currently the SAPS boasts 50 percent representation of female Lieutenant Generals, with four of them being Provincial Commissioners. That, the accomplishment come as a result of resilience and determination of police-women over the years.
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety Mrs Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, delivered the keynote address and emphasised that partnership Policing should be strengthened where all levels of Policing including the Specialised Units, are expected to discharge their duties with honesty and loyalty. “The Limpopo Government is hereby celebrating the women emancipation in all its entirety in acknowledging the appointment of the first female Saps Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe since the dawn of democracy.”
In conclusion, the MEC encouraged all members of the South African Police Service in this Province to double their efforts in the fight against crime in order to stamp the authority of the state by reclaiming all the streets from the unscrupulous criminals
The retired District Commissioners Major General Mulaudzi and Major General Mathebula in their responses, thanked the Provincial Commissioner and her Management for honouring them and showing appreciation for their dedication and contribution towards the organisation.
In her vote of thanks message, the Provincial Commissioner resonated the words of Grouch Marks and said, ” Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow has not arrived yet.”
“These words are an expression of what I feel this evening. In expressing my vote of thanks, it is in my particular honour to thank the MEC for Transport and Community Safety Mrs Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya for honouring us and delivering the keynote address. More importantly, the real highlight of the evening was officially saying farewell to the two women of steel and fortitude, retired Major General Mathebula and Major General Mulaudzi. I would like to thank them for their service in the Police and the impact that they had made in the community. I would like to thank everyone who has directly contributed to this event. I hope that, what we shared here this evening, will help us to improve as people and encourage the spirit of working together and humanity”, Concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The retirees and distinguished guests, were ushered with gifts as a token of appreciation.
Source: South African Police Service