Gala dinner raises funds for children of fallen police officers

IT WAS an evening of elegance with a purpose as the Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, hosted a glittering Gala Dinner in Upington in support of the SAPS Education Trust.

Held on August 6 at the NCR TVET College, the event brought together high-profile guests from government, law enforcement, business, and the community – all united in a cause that strikes at the heart of the police service: supporting the children of officers who died in the line of duty.

The guest list included MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Limakatso Koloi, Dawid Kruiper executive mayor Dawid Kazi, and SAPS deputy provincial commissioners Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga (Crime Detection), Major-General Johnny Besnaar (Policing) and Major-General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi (Corporate Services), as well as district commissioners and provincial heads.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the SAPS Education Trust funds schooling from Grade R through to tertiary level for the children of fallen members, helping them realise their academic and career goals.

In his welcome address, Kazi reaffirmed the importance of the Trust’s mission, while Major-General Besnaar reminded guests of the life-changing impact of education. “Education is the key to unlocking potential, breaking cycles of poverty, and building a brighter future,” he said.

Messages of support came from corporate partners Metropolitan, AVBOB, Old Mutual, Assupol, as well as the SAPS Women’s Network and Men for Change. Major-General Mphuthi acknowledged the generosity of donors, including Assupol, Metropolitan, AVBOB, tea clubs, the ZF Mgcawu business community, and members of the Bangladeshi, Ethiopian, Pakistani, Somali, and Chinese communities. She also stressed the importance of strong community-police partnerships.

Lieutenant-General Otola reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to helping deserving students succeed, while MEC Koloi paid tribute to the bravery of police officers and led a moment of silence for those who had made the ultimate sacrifice. She also called for unity in tackling crime. “Fighting crime is a collective responsibility … SAPS cannot do it alone,” she emphasised.

As pledges continued to pour in, the evening closed with a heartfelt vote of thanks from ZF Mgcawu district commissioner Major-General Monica Sebili – a fitting end to a night where compassion and commitment to the next generation took centre stage.