Programme Director, Ms Yvonne Mhinga,
National Commissioner of Police, General Riah Phiyega,
Chairperson of the SAPS Education Trust, Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa,
Retired Constitutional Court Judge and Deputy Chairperson of the Education Trust, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro,
Board of Trustees of the SAPS Education Trust,
All SAPS Lieutenant Generals, Senior officers and Staff present,
Families, relatives, friends and colleagues of our departed SAPS members,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen.

Each year in September we gather as South Africans to commemorate the South African Police Service National Commemoration. None of us can claim to look forward to this occasion.

Yet because we recognize the importance of not forgetting the unsung heroes and heroines who dedicated their lives to protect society, we have a duty to never forget or wipe the memories of those who preferred to serve and not be served.

During the 2010 Commemoration we announced our intentions of establishing a South African Police Service Education Trust, which would support the educational needs of children of police members who die in the line of duty. We are here as the police leadership and management to affirm our commitment.

We are therefore pleased to introduce the South African Police Service Education Trust which we established to support the educational needs of children of our police members who died in the line of duty. We undertook this conscious decision in recognition that the education of our members’ orphaned children is a fundamental social responsibility which as the department, we fully embrace. 

Our vision is to ensure that the Trust provides the best education and training for the development of children of members deceased in the line of duty. However we are cognisant that for the Trust to be efficient, it would require financial, corporate, training and moral support.

We are therefore making a clarion call to corporate South Africa, to business fraternity and South Africans from all walks of live to join hands with us. Contributions of any kind that can assist the Trust to achieve its objectives will be appreciated. To this end, we wish to extend our appreciation to all organisations, institutions and companies that have already made a donation to the Trust. 

It is an honour and a privilege to hand over the first fund allocations to beneficiaries who have been identified from the SAPS’ database at this historic evening of our launch. We happy that they are able to join us this evening and they are:

1. Mr Amukelani Rivombo, who is the son of the late Warrant Officer GI Rivombo, who was stationed at the JHB Central Police Station (Team General Crimes), Gauteng, before meeting his death on 9 December 2010. He is a 22-year-old male born on 16 August 1991 and is in his third year of studying towards a National Diploma in Civil Engineering at the Tshwane University of Technology.
2. Ms Tshepiso Medupi, who is the daughter of the late Warrant Officer MD Mocunyane, who was stationed at the Pudimoe Police Station (General Investigation), the North West, before meeting his death on 27 March 2012. She is a 22-year-old female born on 1 April 1991 and is in her third year of studying towards a National Diploma in Accounting and Financial Systems at the College Campus.
3. Mr Lekoba Ronald Mokabane, who is the son of the late Lieutenant Colonel DJ Mokabane, who was stationed at the Groblersdal Police Station, Limpopo, before meeting his death on 16 July 2011. He is a 29-year-old male born on 11 October 1984 and is in his third year of studying towards a Pharmacy Degree at the University of Limpopo.
4. Ms Pheladi Grace Mphahlele, who is the daughter of the late Warrant Officer KG Mphahlele, who was stationed at the Modimolle Police Station (Community Service), Limpopo, before meeting his death on 15 December 2011. She is a 22-year-old female born on 6 July 1991 and is in her second year of studying towards a B Comm Accounting Degree at the University of Free State.
5. Mr Lesiba Samuel Khutso Mphahlele, who is the son of the late Warrant Officer KG Mphahlele, who was stationed at the Modimolle Police Station (Community Service), Limpopo, before meeting his death on 15 December 2011. He is a 24-year-old male born on 7 February 1989 and is in his first year of studying towards a National Diploma in Sound Engineering at the Academy of Sound Engineering.
6. Ms Boledi Mphahlele, who is the daughter of the late Warrant Officer KG Mphahlele, who was stationed at the Modimolle Police Station (Community Service), Limpopo, before meeting his death on 15 December 2011. She is a 19-year-old female born on 5 July 1994 and is in her first year of studying towards a National Diploma in Civil Engineering at the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
7. Ms Tsholofelo Charity Mankanye, is the daughter of the late Warrant Officer TW Mankanye, who was stationed at the Giyani Police Station, Investigating Team (FCSU), Limpopo, before meeting his death on 20 January 2012. She is a 21-year-old female born on 22 May 1992 and is in her first year of studying towards a National Diploma in Marketing at the Tshwane University of Technology.
8. Mr PL Sobikwa, who is the son of the late Warrant officer VE Sobikwa, who was stationed at the Hankey Police Station, (Management Information Centre), the Eastern Cape, before meeting her death on 24 October 2011. He is a 26-year-old male born on 9 July 1987 and is in his second year of studying towards a BComm Degree in Information System and Auditing at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
9. Mr PV Hlalele, who is the son of the late Warrant Officer MI Hlalele, who was stationed at the office of the Provincial Commissioner of the Free State before meeting his death on 15 September 2011. He is a 25-year-old male born on 18 March 1988 and is in his fourth year of studying towards a National Diploma in Public Administration at the Central University of Technology of the Free State.
10. Ms GL Sebueng, who is the daughter of the late Sergeant PC Mosadi, who was stationed at the office of the Provincial Commissioner of the Free State before meeting his death on 1 December 2010. She is a 27-year-old female born on 15 May 1986 and is in her first year of studying towards a BA Degree in Psychology at the University of South Africa.
11. Ms K Ngozo, who is the daughter of the late Sergeant PC Mosadi, who was stationed at the office of the Provincial Commissioner of the Free State before meeting his death on 1 December 2010.  She is a 19-year-old female born on 9 February 1994 and is in her first year of studying towards a Diploma in Hospitality Management at the Vuselela FET College.

The most encouraging aspect about these recipients is that they are the youth. However an even more distinct feature is that they are the youth who have already shown commitment and determination to become leaders. 

The fact that they are at tertiary institutions shows that our investment will not be in vain. We are proud of you because you are growing at the time when the youth are under constant challenges of unemployment, substance abuse and crime.

Young people in South Africa, the continent’s Diaspora and in all four corners of our world are daily compounded by crime, prostitution and drugs. These vices and evil manifestations in our society imperil prospects of youth in our respective countries.

As the youth you are the future. The youth in the global village cannot and must never abdicate on their responsibilities. As the human capital at the edge of framing present and future, we must strive to create generations of a tapestry of young people free from crime, prostitution and drugs.

The youth’s loyalty is contested by various forces including criminal elements, thus a need to form an informed, effective and creative shield around the youth. The youth also fights and defends vigorously what it believes in. 

We must ensure an environment that is not conducive to crime. The marginalised represent an easy target for gangs and syndicates hence the community and its leaders should therefore pay attention to the issue of social exclusion. One of the fundamental programmes in addressing such challenges is through investment in education for our youth.

We believe that through the establishment of this Trust, we have set the motions of development in place. We have planted the seeds of prosperity and youth development. We challenge all influential role models and leaders to join our crusade and support this initiative.

In July 2011 the Ministry of Police hosted a summit against attacks and killings of police, which involved various sectors academics, researchers, civil organisations, unions and other role-players. Amongst the various summit outcomes, was a need for a development of a national awareness campaign against police killings. The concept was termed ‘Adopt a Cop Campaign’ where all of us pledged to work with and support our police officers.  

We want to utilise this occasion to remind all of us of this pledge and request that we begin to implement our undertaking. We shall persist in addressing the dangers that face our members on a daily basis and to find ways to protect them. 

Tonight’s education investment in their children is the beginning of a very important step and we shall endeavour to ensure that the initiative is sustained. Let their passing not be in vain. We can never bring them back to life but hope such an important initiative of furthering their children’s education, it shall communicate a message that their gallant actions were not in vain.

By conferring this educational support to you this evening, we hope you will contribute to the developmental agenda of our country which is in need of skilled youth. We want to see you progress. Make us proud. Make your parents proud.

As we conclude, we want to reiterate that we appreciate the involvement of many of our partners in the fight against crime at all material times. Our society, together with its governance institutions, must unite in action and engage in a concerted and sustained effort aimed at ensuring reduction in crime levels.

Despite the challenges that we still face as a country in dealing with crime, we can be bold in stating that a lot of good work is being done in all areas of our crime reduction programme. The consistent downward trend of crime statistics bears testimony to this fact. Nevertheless, we need to do much more.

We congratulate all the recipients and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

I thank you!