The deputy commissioner of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) believes that Women’s Month is a reminder that women can reach their goals if they pursue them with a vision and a passion. Nomsa Nhlapho is now responsible for regional policing and is one of the two deputy commissioners recently announced by the TMPD. “Being a cop was never my first career choice, however, I had been drawn to law enforcement for as long as I could remember,” she said.
1st female black provincial inspector in 1996 Nhlapho started her career in 1996 as the first female black provincial inspector with the department of community safety and worked herself up through the ranks and became a control provincial inspector in 2006. She was appointed as manager of traffic, licensing and security in the erstwhile Kungwini local municipality in 2008 and moved through amalgamation to the City of Tshwane in 2011, where she was promoted to regional director in 2013. “Eleven years later, I made history by becoming the first black deputy chief of police for regional policing,” she said.
ALSO READ: Crime-fighting efforts in Tshwane show ‘limited’ impact Nhlapho said some of the challenges she has faced in her career included gender bias and stereotypes, with limited opportunities for advancement and growth making it difficult to establish credibility and authority. Leading with humility, kindness, compassion and generosity Although she never dreamt of becoming a deputy commissioner, she said s.