By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The spokesperson role is not intended for Jim, Jack and Jerry!
And if you can’t swim through the stream of media inquiries, you must quickly sit back and watch others do it! Because being a spokesperson is not a walk in the park with a dog; someone must have distinguishing qualities.
But Sergeant Busisiwe Khuzwayo, Malamulele SAPS’s new spokesperson, has what it takes to work with journalists.
She has led HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 outreach campaigns in schools and communities. She has also fought bullying, adolescent pregnancy, alcoholism and substance abuse. And in the process, she was always flooded with questions from hungry journos.
The jovial woman in blue said: “I am committed to working with various media houses to share knowledge and information with communities.”
Khuzwaya, originally from Gandlanani village in Malamulele, joined SAPS in 2006 after receiving her training.
She was a detective at the Springs Police Station (Gauteng) for twelve years.
She was then transferred to Lulekani Police Station (Limpopo) in 2017 and then moved to Malamulele Police Station in 2018.
She joined SAPS at a very young age because there was a great deal of crime in her region.
“It involved domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, murder and many other related crimes.”
She said that she wanted to ensure that all those involved in criminal activities were stopped and brought to book.
Khuzwayo is committed to mobilizing diverse community members to discourage them from engaging in criminal activities.
“Crimes such as gender-based violence, bullying and house robbery occur more frequently in our region,” she said.
The Station Commander of Malamulele Police Station, Colonel Kanelani Edison Rikhotso said that he was very happy to have appointed the first female communicator in the station.
Rikhotso said that this unit was mostly men-occupied.
He pointed out it was imperative that women also have opportunities to prove themselves, as set out in the country’s constitution.
“She is disciplined, committed and hard-working. She maintains good working relations with local media and constantly updates and alerts community members about crime statistics and other crime-related issues.
“She also conducts crime awareness campaigns at schools and in communities. She is flexible and ready to learn new things hence as Malamulele station we are ready to give her the necessary support to conquer the world,” said Rikhotso.
