For Women’s Day, the Randfontein Police Station became a machine operated by women, and it ran smoothly indeed.
The station was transformed into an all-woman well-oiled machine for Woman’s Day as part of Operation Basadi. Women took on every possible function at the station in the spirit of showing that they are the real force at work when it comes to getting things done.
The Community Service Centre (CSC) was filled with women helping residents with certifications, affidavits and various other documentation. Fingerprinting and various other functions were also done exclusively by women.
Not only did they show their male counterparts up regarding work, they cleaned up where they were placed to the point where it looked as if the station had undergone a revamp.
The Herald spent some time with two seasoned female police officers who are also ‘Jills of all trades’.
Captain Appel Ernst and Lieutenant Colonel Ann van der Merwe told us about their time in the police force, and the trials they had experienced as women. They chatted about their experiences from when they started in the police force, and their harsh six months of police training before they were enlisted, to what they have learned since then.
Both told how female police officers were not the norm when they enlisted, and many times they would be the only ones among their male counterparts. However, they’ve both been through it all and have become strong women in the process. They’re familiar with and able to carry out nearly all the functions of a police station.
Both women are stellar examples, not only of what it means to be a strong woman, but also of what it takes to be a strong woman in the police force.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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