Mossel Bay says goodbye to beloved traffic officer

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Beloved Mossel Bay Municipality traffic officer, Antoinette Snyders (50), has recently retired after 24 years in the Mossel Bay Traffic Department.

Snyders put on her notable blue uniform for the last time on Thursday 18 December, officially stepping away from her duties as Assistant Chief - a position she's held since 2019, following her role as the first woman appointed as superintendent in 2007.

"A uniform represents more than just the law. To different people it has different meaning... to me it represented all that I was," Snyders wrote on social media.

Snyders told Mossel Bay Advertiser that she will miss interacting with the Mossel Bay community and the banter she shared with her fellow officers.

"They really are great bunch and it did not matter what came our way, we did it together and always as a team," she said.

Snyders says she will miss interacting with the Mossel Bay community and the banter she shared with her fellow officers. Photo: Supplied

Her 24-year career has undoubtedly been marked with several highlights and several challenges. "All our officers stood together when times were tough and we had riots to contend with but we always made it through by the grace of God."

In 2014, Snyders received a vocational Citizen of the Year Award for her work during riots in relation to service delivery in Mossel Bay in 2014. But to her, she was simply doing her job.

Snyders told the Advertiser that she is incredibly excited for the future and plans to serve her community in a different way.

She began learning sign language two years ago, developing a passion for learning different sign languages including South African Sign Language (SASL) and American Sign Language (ASL).

She is currently learning Makaton signs, which are based on the signs of SASL.

"As soon as I get my tutor certification, I want to teach kids with their parents and friends to communicate with each other," says Snyders. "I am really really excited to help in another way that I know will fill my soul."

Outside of her duties in the municipality, Snyders also has an incredible talent for singing.

The Mossel Bay Municipality also bid farewell to Snyders in a social media post on Tuesday 23 December.

"Antoinette’s legacy is one of trailblazing service, community pride, and unwavering commitment. Mossel Bay Municipality thanks her for her years of dedication and wishes her joy and success in the next chapter of her journey," reads the post.

Outside of her duties in the municipality, Snyders also has an incredible talent for singing.