The South African Police Service (SAPS) has raised more than R16 million to support the education of children whose parents died in the line of duty.
This follows the annual SAPS National Golf Day charity event on Friday, 27 February, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, SAPS senior leadership, and golfers from corporate companies across the country came together for a round of golf in support of the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET).
Established in 2010, the SAPSET Fund has raised over R21 million, assisting more than 1 900 children with educational and stationery needs. Over 170 beneficiaries have successfully obtained their National Senior Certificates, while more than 50 have earned tertiary qualifications.
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, SAPS spokesperson, highlighted a new initiative launched this year, “The Million Legacy Circle,” to honour donors contributing R1 million or more to SAPSET.
“The Provincial Commissioners of KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng raised and donated the highest amounts towards the SAPSET Fund this year,” she said.
Van Wyk also emphasised that SAPSET is overseen by a dedicated board of trustees and that in the majority of beneficiary families, the fallen officer was the sole breadwinner.
“SAPS remains committed in its efforts to support and empower the children of its fallen heroes towards a brighter future for all,” she said.
Cachalia expressed his gratitude to sponsors, donors, and stakeholders, encouraging more corporate companies to contribute.
“By supporting the SAPS Education Trust, we are helping to ensure that the legacy of fallen officers is not only remembered in monuments and ceremonies but lives on through the achievements of their children — as doctors, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs and public servants.”
Among the children whose dreams SAPSET has helped keep alive are Dr Ayanda Sibaya, who overcame the loss of her father to earn a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and is now pursuing a Masters in Maxillo Facial and Oral Surgery, and Nthatuwa Mohalisi, a final-year Media student aspiring to serve as a SAPS spokesperson.
Sibaya, 36, recalled that she was in her first year studying toward a Bachelor of Diagnostic Radiography degree when her father, a warrant officer, was killed in Ezakheni in August 2017.
“My father is my biggest role model who always motivated me to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a doctor.”
Mohalisi, 24, is in her final year pursuing a Diploma in Media Practitioners, majoring in Public Relations. Her father, a detective, passed away in January 2015 in a fatal accident in Vereeniging.
The Star
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