VANDERBIJLPARK. – It was all glim and glamour as men and women in blue shone the Emerald conference center with style and pride during Vanderbijlpark Excellence Awards ceremony.
Dressed in their finest evening gowns and suits, officers from various ranks and stations came together to celebrate outstanding achievements within their rank on Wednesday, March 20.
According to the station, the awards are the first of their kind in all police stations in the country witnessing dedicated officers receiving awards chosen by their peers.
The prestigious event was attended by distinguished figures including Major General Fred Kekana, West Rand District Commissioner, and Vereeniging Station Commander Brigadier Sibongile Ndaba among many others.
Amidst the sea of blue, prominent business figures such as Thami Manzi and faith-based leaders like Moratehi Sekete graced the occasion, highlighting the importance of community support and collaboration in upholding law and order.
Outlining the purpose of the day, Vanderbijlpark’s station commander, Brigadier Nikiwe Sefatsa said “We are here to celebrate excellence. The nominees were selected by fellow members. You make it easy for me to run Vanderbijlpark because of your dedication.”
Major General Kekana delivered a keynote address during the awards commending the gesture from Vanderbijlpark station for hosting the award ceremony first.
“We really appreciate the gesture of commanding officers for excellence especially where real work happens, at station level. This is a good trend that everyone should follow, I hope that all stations in Gauteng do the same,” he said.
Kekana encouraged different stakeholders to continue working with local police to break the scourge of crime.
“We can never win the battle with crime alone and it’s always good to see stakeholders working with us,” he said.
Motivating the officer who received awards for their dedication, Kekana emphasized ‘staying determined’.
“You are here to serve the community, continue with that duty. I would encourage you each day to wake up determined. Your police station will lead in combating crime if you continue in this fashion. Don’t lose hope, continue to do your best, and always be professional while doing your duties,” he said.
