VANDERBIJLPARK – South African Police Services held a ‘glitz and glamour’ high tea event on Friday, 11 August, to celebrate and embrace Women’s Month.
This colorful and spectacular event was attended by scores of female Police and Public Service Act personnel working at different components in the Sedibeng Cluster.
The event was a “High Tea” and each lady who formed part of the event had an opportunity to dress like different queens from around the globe as a theme.
Different speakers took to the podium to motivate the gathered crowds in an effort to uplift and acknowledge each other as colleagues.
Gracing the event, newly appointed commissioner Major General Nkhensani Lemba, Vanderbijlpark station commander Brigadier Nikiwe Sefatsa led the proceedings.
The event was also attended by senior female managers of the SAPS as well as female law enforcement officials.
Giving the purpose of the day, Women’s Network Champion Warrant Officer Tsegofatso Madiehe, gave her colleagues reason to be queens.
“We might be here because we applied and were appointed but we were divinely appointed,it has nothing to do with the z83 or the election Mayor but everything to do with God positioning us to serve His People. We are called to make the corners where we are to shine (Lesedi le tebela lefifi) light brings hope to the hopeless,light brings strength to the weary,” she said.
Lemba gave motivation to dozens who attended the event, touching on assertiveness.
“To be assertive is to say NO without feeling guilty. As children, we are born assertive but we lose our assertiveness in our adulthood. Society has also socialized women to be non assertive. As a God-fearing woman you must reclaim your assertiveness,” she said.
“If we are not assertive, we will open room for emotional blackmail. Emotional blackmail is a powerful form of manipulation in which people close to us threaten, either directly or indirectly to punish us if we don’t do what they want,” she added.
Sedibeng District Mayor Lerato Maloka gave a keynote address during the SAPS event. Photo: Sifiso Jimta.Keynote address Sedibeng District Municipality Mayor Lerato Maloka said “This month marks the unwavering commitment of women across all races and every walk of life as agents of change and for society at large. The strength that resides within each of you is a beacon of inspiration. Your unwavering dedication to duty, your commitment to justice, and your boundless compassion exemplify the remarkable power that women possess.”
Maloka took the opportunity to welcome the newly appointed commission of the district.
“We also welcome the district commissioner and celebrate her remarkable strength, resilience, and courage she had for so long, not forgetting as well as the solidarity amongst women within the SAPS,” she said.
The function ended with a boat cruise on the Spirit of Jen.
