After weeks of advertising posts through newspapers and radio stations, some successful and other emotionally draining interviews, as well as “well played” and “too many mistakes” auditions, the initiative of the SAPS to change the image of the band has finally paid off. The result? An additional seventeen newly appointed male and female members from different racial groups have been included in the Eastern Cape band.

The band now consists of 35 players, including the bandmaster. The new members reflect the racial diversity within the SAPS and the community. Commissioner Sipho Mpongoma said: “In order for the band to complement the SAPS motto of being a service to the community, it is vital that the band is a reflection of our country’s racially diverse community.”

The band serves the community by performing at events that involve the upliftment and development of the community. The band master, Superintendent Tobias, said: “The band’s primary function is to perform in all SAPS events, to perform for other state departments and all spheres of the community.”

The SAPS National Music Co-ordinating Office gave orders to Superintendent Tobias to change the band from a brass to a military band. Superintendent Tobias said: “This is why we had to recruit members who play reed and rhythm instruments because the players we already have play brass instruments.” The band is now known as the Eastern Cape Military Band.

Superintendent Tobias said a military band is better than a brass band because it has a wider variety of instruments. “It is now possible to form smaller groups of bands within the military band.” He further elaborated by giving the example that if a brass band is needed to play some occasion, that band can be formed within the military band.

Superintendent Tobias said it was vital to recruit women. “The previous police bands were all male dominated, therefore in terms of equity, we needed female players.”

Constable Benjaline Pedro from Cape Town is one of the new female recruits and she plays the clarinet for the band. She says the best Christmas present she received was when the bandmaster, Superintendent Michael Tobias, telephoned her to confirm that she has been accepted in the SAPS Eastern Cape Band. “I was so excited as a result, I jumped up and down when I heard the news, this has after all been my dream for many years.”

Superintendent Tobias said one of the entry requirements was to meet the practical entry-level standard. “The problem during auditions is that most people could not play the instruments skillfully even though they had degrees, therefore practical skills was one of our requirements.” However, he said the new members have fully met the entry requirements. “The new members have all passed our requirements and have proved themselves during the auditions and interviews.”

An exceptional new recruit to the band is flute player, Constable Njabulo Mkhondo. He holds a BA degree in music and media communication studies and said the auditions and interviews were enjoyable. “The whole process was stimulating and the judges made the environment conducive for me to perform well.”

Constable Mkhondo says he is excited to be part of a band that serves the community and further the image of the SAPS. “The SAPS has certainly done away with the old apartheid image of police being brutal and of no real service to the community.” He further said that since SAPS deals with serious-issues like crime and corruption, the band adds a more light hearted and enjoyable side to the organization.

As a result of the incorporation of an enthusiastic and promising group of talented reed and rhythmic instrument players, the SAPS Eastern Cape Military Band is sure to have a prosperous future.