August month, every year is the time when South Africa celebrates and embraces women from all walks of life. During this period the spotlight is focused on some of the greatest women of our province who continue to make their mark in the male dominated field of policing.
Our sights are focused on a phenomenal being who is not shy to identify herself as a trendsetter not swayed by societal norms, Brigadier Thabo Moeng, who coincidentally also celebrated her birthday on 10th of August.
Brigadier Moeng is the Provincial Head of the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management section in the Northern Cape. She cut her teeth in the field of policing in the year 2000 as a Sergeant and began serving at the Ballistic Section at Head Office in Pretoria. It has to be noted that she was the first African female to qualify as a Forensic Ballistic Specialist in Southern Africa in 2003.
Brigadier Moeng is the first of her mother’s two children and is also a mother to two beautiful daughters, Kago and Kano. She sadly and tragically lost her beloved Kago to suicide; a Wits psychology 2nd year student at the time of her demise in 2017.
Thabo, as she is referred to by her peers, was born and raised in Taung in North West, where she attended and received her primary education, only up to Sub B (grade 2) after which she relocated to Ga Rankuwa in Pretoria where she completed her primary school. After completing primary school in Pretoria, she returned to Taung where she attended Thato Molatlhwa Intermediary and Batlhaping High schools respectively.
When asked what is it that she wanted to be when she grows up, Brigadier Moeng replies stating that she wanted to be a dressmaker.
It was only after she completed her matric with flying colours that her mother convinced her to pursue a degree in science which led her to registering for a Bachelor of Science degree at the former University of Bophuthatswana. Unfortunately, she could not continue with her studies at the said university, due to the sporadic uprisings that followed. It was only after she moved to the Western Cape where she managed to complete her junior degree at the University of the Western Cape.
Brigadier Thabo Moeng is one of the few fortunate women to have been exposed to the three components of the then Forensic Services i.e. Forensic Science Laboratory, Quality Management and Criminal Record Centre. While at those components, she gradually went up the ranks and gained the necessary experience which resulted her becoming one of the few senior female managers in her field.
Thabo as she is affectionately called, enjoys being in her position of the provincial head. “I enjoy being here as this position allows me to apply all the knowledge and experience that I have gained from the three components of my field.”
Christianity is the core of her being and she is a staunch supporter of women and self-empowerment. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Technology Management and also has an Advanced Certificate in Criminalistics.
She has successfully completed her Master’s Degree in Science, specialising in Technology Management. A Phd (Doctor of Philosophy) degree in Public Administration Management is also in the horizon as she says there is no end in the academic journey. She has also attended a number of internal courses within the SAPS.
Brigadier Moeng says she is happy with the developments within SAPS when it comes to women empowerment. “We have made great strides. Remember when the women first joined the police, they were just tasked with menial jobs and were like trophies. Today we completely have a different picture and I am really proud of the changes we have achieved thus far.”
When she is not busy with her official duties, Brigadier Moeng enjoys playing tennis, cooking, gardening and sewing.
Good luck with all your future endeavours Brigadier, see you on your next mission at the level of a Major General!