MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The women of the SAPS were honoured on Friday 8 August with a women’s networking event in celebration of Women’s Day.
Some women from all 21 SAPS stations in the Garden Route were in attendance at Bahia Bleu, a restaurant at the Diaz Hotel in Mossel Bay.
The Garden Route Women’s Network’s deputy chairperson, Precious Khohliwe of the Da Gamaskop Police Station in Mossel Bay, told Mossel Bay Advertiser this event was the first formalised women’s network in the Garden Route.
It served as a means for the women to connect and network among one another, while also hearing from guest speakers, who discussed financial independence specifically aimed towards women.
Women from all 21 SAPS stations in the Garden Route were in attendance. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz
From car payments and mortgages to managing life with children, the women were educated on ways to best manage their money on their own terms.
A few women shared personal experiences that left them with financial challenges or instances when they were better prepared.
Not only were the women encouraged to take care of themselves financially, but also to lean on one another in professional and personal ways, a practice that many have proudly adopted.
Khohliwe and some of the other women, including Lieutenant Colonel Maria Gerber of the Da Gamaskop Police Station and Garden Route District Deputy Commissioner Brigadier Belinda Pather, told the Advertiser they are able to carry their stations due to one another’s support.
“The work we do comes from the heart,” said Gerber.
The Garden Route Women’s Network’s deputy chairperson, Precious Khohliwe. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz
The police force, while incredibly rewarding, is still perceived as male dominated and often sees women taking on more than one job description, said Pather.
But standing together is more than enough to keep them going. “We don’t put one another down,” said the group.
Women’s Day was celebrated across South Africa on Saturday 9 August.
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