Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

With many African countries looking up to South Africa to help foster peace and stability in the region, the country must always improve its human resources to advance this universal mission.

This was said by Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said last night at a ceremony to award 48 station commissioners with certificates after completing a six months' Station Management Learning Programme.

The course seeks to equip police commissioners with skills in management, problem solving and client relations.

Mr Nqakula said South Africa had become a beacon of hope to many countries as a result of uniting people from different backgrounds for common objectives.

"When there is a crisis in Cote d'Ivoire it is expected that South Africa will help. The same with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"This is the consequence of our action," he said.

Cabinet recently agreed to extend the period of deployment of 110 SANDF members in the DRC until 31 March 2007. Fourteen more members join them.

The deployment would be in support of two projects for the integration and military training of the armed forces of the DRC.

Cabinet also agreed to extend the deployment of 339 SANDF members as part of the African Union Mission in the Sudan until 31 March 2007.

South Africa's gesture is seen as a solidarity action to help these countries out of instability and transit to democracy.

Mr Nqakula also added that the appointment of National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi as President of Interpol also symbolised the world's confidence in South Africa.

"As the President [of Interpol], by all means and intent he is the police commissioner of the world," said Mr Nqakula, reiterating that this could also be attributed to South Africa's good actions.

Mr Selebi is the first African to be elected as President of the International policing body.

The minister told the recipients of the certificates that the country had invested in them to fulfil its mission of ensuring peace and stability in the world.

"We need men and women who will love their job so that they themselves are loved. But we need to build and marshal these human resources.

"We need to produce the material that we require to fulfil this obligation [of ensuring peace and stability in the world]," he said, urging them to understand the value of their certificates.

Mr Nqakula also added that the police officers would be assessed to see if they were implementing what they learnered.

"Anyone who is not prepared to do policing is a sore to our rise," he said.

"The course has enhanced my planning and operational skills especially in organising events," said a police officer from Port Elizabeth, Tony Nomdoe.

All 1 128 station commissioners will be required to complete the training module to improve their operational and managerial skills.

The module covers various areas ranging from communication, mentorship training to management, leadership and operational planning.