| Limpopo SAPS honours distinguished service of long-serving officer | |
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| Date Published: | 2024/01/11 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE - The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo proudly celebrate the remarkable career of one of the most dedicated and long-serving members who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public safety. With forty (40) years of exemplary service and hanging up her boots this year (2024), the officer, Brigadier Naledzani Julia Sivhula (F), has been an integral part of the law enforcement community, embodying the values of integrity, professionalism, and dedication. Throughout her tenure, the officer played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the citizens of this province. "Brigadier Sivhula has been a cornerstone of the organization within her respective environment, displaying the highest standards of policing and serving as a mentor to many colleagues in her illustrious career," remarked Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. We take this opportunity to share her journey and illustrious career since 1984, having moved up the rank of Constable to Brigadier. The phenomenal woman, Brigadier Naledzani Julia Sivhula, currently working as the Capricorn Deputy District Commissioner began her police career at Sibasa Training College and did her basic training for 9 months (training encompasses police, prisons, traffic, and partly Venda defence forces). Upon completion, she was deployed at Dzanani Police Station, and a year later, she was transferred to Venda Police Training College as an Instructor, where she played a major role in shaping successful men and women whom majority ended up being senior police officers in various sections. In 1991, she was transferred to Quartermaster as an Administrator (SCM), Head Office, and in 1997, she moved to Louise Trichardt Police Station which is currently known as Makhado and continued with administrative duties. In 2000, she was promoted to the rank of Captain as the Commander for Crime Prevention at Makhado. In the same year, she was appointed the Station Commander of Bandelierkop; in just a few years, she left to head Soekmekaar police station, now Morebeng. In 2004, she became the Station Commander of Makhado after being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, until 2007, when she was promoted to Colonel at the same station. In 2009, she became the Station Commander of Polokwane at the rank of a Brigadier . The seasoned officer continued with her leadership skills in various environments, such as Seshego Cluster Commander (now called districts), Provincial Component Operation Co-ordination, Mankweng Cluster Commander, and Capricorn Deputy District Commissioner, the position she holds to date. She was awarded a total of nine loyal service medals, including the 1985 Establishment of Venda Police, the 1988 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Commemorative, and 30 years of loyal service. Brigadier Sivhula encourages young people to sharpen their skills by furthering their studies and grabbing opportunities offered within the organization. She holds a National Diploma in Policing, a Degree in Human Resource Management, an Honours Degree in Human Resource Development, a Bachelor of Arts: Honours in Community Policing and a Certificate in Labour Law. She also attended several SAPS courses and workshops. Her achievements and recognition include: Women's Network Award: three times and Best Station Commander: five times. "It is very crucial to uphold our social responsibilities as SAPS members. We must not turn a blind eye to the struggles endured by our communities and we should lend a helping hand where possible. Throughout my career, I have fostered partnerships with various stakeholders, where we embarked on various projects and extended them to diverse families, including learners from across various schools, elderly people and orphanage homes. Brigadier Sivhula established the Women's network structures and vegetable gardens at the stations where she worked as the Station Commander and within her District. The vegetables were distributed to destitute families, including schools for disabilities. The initiative also provided an income for several unemployed women. She became a mentor and groomed several women who meticulously represented the organisation. Some were appointed Station Commanders, and her passion for Women's network structures saw some of them representing Limpopo at the National Excellence Awards. Her compassion for others is immeasurable. She once extended a helping hand to a destitute family of ten from Bergenek in Westenburg policing area and through her intervention, they were able to apply for identity documents and birth certificates for the eight children. At the end, the parents were able to apply for social grant and she also engaged with the municipality and an RDP house was built for the family. Other stakeholders came on board and donated food parcels, furniture and other essential items. Together with her team, they adopted Rehlokomeleng Care Center for the mentally ill persons in Senwabarwana where they donated items such as groceries, furniture, stationaries and bicycles.They also extended the same gesture to Ngwana House Orphanage in Polokwane and donated groceries to a retirement village in Polokwane during older person awareness campaign. Brigadier Sivhula led several projects and did that with passion and empathy. The remarkable woman recently assisted family members in distress when they were unable to bury their mother. "One of my goals this year is to ensure that the project of building a house for a family from Ga-Komape in Moletjie is complete. That will be my send-off gift to the communities I will continue to serve even after my retirement, "concluded the Brigadier.
At the end of 2023, she was awarded the Movers and Shakers special award by the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
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