In the spotlight: Get to know Rev Godfrey Booysen
Get to know the people in our town.
Rev Godfrey Booysen is the chaplain at the Brakpan Police Station. The Geluksdal resident (46), who holds the rank of captain, is married to Natasha (44) and has three children, Jerusha (16), Azaria (11) and Zuriel (9).
• For how long have you worked at Brakpan SAPS? Have you always worked in this line of work, where did you start?
Since July 2007 (11 years).
I started in the corporate world for about 14 years before I got involved in formal spiritual work as an ordained minister.
• What sparked your interest in this career?
I practically grew up in church where I have been exposed from my teens to be actively involved in people’s lives who are in need and distress.
• What is the role of the chaplain in the SAPS?
The spiritual empowerment of SAPS employees towards ethical policing.
To minister to SAPS employees spiritually and to equip them with spiritual values.
• Describe a typical work week? What are your duties?
Continued motivational talks and sermons within the SAPS; to preach during memorial services and funerals of members; to deliver messages about the occurrences of death, and to visit, motivate and pray with sick and hospitalised members of SAPS.
Various types of counselling including trauma debriefing.
To also establish partnerships with local churches.
• What do you like most about your job?
To help members maximise their potential and to elevate their standards of service delivery.
• Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
I like music and even play a little bit of guitar.
• What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Man is a person through other persons, we need each other.
Never stop learning and always build bridges.
• If you had the power to solve one and only one problem in the world, what would it be and why?
That people come back to the basic principles of life with ethical values.
And of course respect and love for one another.
• Who or what inspires you?
Martin Luther King Jr because of the Reformation.
My mentor Rev Dave Davids for instilling in me a passion for God, the church and the community.
• What makes you laugh?
I laugh easily at jokes, funny appearances or physical actions, hearing funny voices.
• Name one thing about yourself that most people don’t know.
That I am actually a quiet person.
• What is your favourite thing about Brakpan?
That the community is filled with caring people and that there is an atmosphere/sense of calmness in the area.
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