Freda Swart, 59, was awarded for her 40 years of service in the police on Tuesday, March 1.
The station commander’s secretary at Table View police station, Freda Swart, 59, was awarded for her 40 years of service in the police last week.
She was just 19 when she started working at the SAPS provincial office as an administrative clerk in 1982. She then started working there as a typist.
Ms Swart says she has always had “blue blood”.
Her father was her boss at the time. He was a colonel at the provincial office, and her eldest sister was a typist at Table View police station.
She was then transferred to Maitland police station, in 1983.
In 1985, her sister retired as a typist and Ms Swart applied for the position at Table View police station.
It's been 37 years, and she’s still there.
“I joined the police because I love to work with people, and I was proud of my late father in his blue uniform,” she said.
Ms Swart said she had been the voice and face of the station commander’s office for all these years and she would continue to do her best at her job until her retirement next year.
She said she would be spending a lot of time with her husband, Piet, who is also retired.
“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” said Ms Swart.
Table View police spokeswoman Captain Adriana Chandler said Ms Swart’s colleagues described her as affectionate, professional, polite, cheerful, hard working, dependable, and trustworthy.
“Her dedication to the organisation is commended by all,” said Captain Chandler.
The station commander, Colonel Lindiwe Dyantyi, thanked Ms Swart for her being “hard working and dedicated,” and said she looked forward to working with her until she retired next year.