“I joined the police because I love to work with people, and I was proud of my late father in his blue uniform.”
These are the words of Freda Swart, the Table View station commander’s secretary and right hand, who recently celebrated 40 years of service.
The staff at the station honoured Swart and congratulated her on the special milestone.
Swart started her career in the police at the age of 19 on 1 March 1982.
“I was stationed at head office, (now called provincial office). I was extremely fortunate to work under my late father Col GS Engelbrecht’s command, who was the staff officer to the divisional commissioner, now called the provincial commissioner, as a typist,” she says.
She was then appointed as an administrative clerk, and on 1 June 1982 became a typist. On 4 July 1983, she was transferred to Maitland Police Station to move closer to home.
“My eldest sister, Mare, also a typist, was stationed at Table View Police Station, and when she resigned in 1985, I applied for a transfer to Table View. Since 14 November 1985, I was stationed at Table View Police Station,” she says.
In 1982 Swart married her husband, Piet (JP). They have a son, Jean-Pierre, born in 1990.
“I have been the voice and face of the station commander’s office for all the years I have been at Table View. My husband is semi-retired, and I will join him next year, although I am still incredibly happy in my career and enjoy what I am doing.”
Swart is described by her colleagues as affectionate, professional, polite, always smiling, hardworking, dependable, and a trustworthy person.
“Her dedication to the organisation is commended by all. She is a true example of someone who is committed to service delivery to her internal and external clients of the police,” says Capt Adriana Chandler.
