As South Africa marks Youth Day—a time to celebrate the power and potential of the younger generation—there’s one sector where their presence is really starting to shine: law enforcement.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), in partnership with Polmed (their dedicated medical aid provider), is actively investing in the future of policing by empowering young officers.
And according to the country’s top cop, National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, those efforts are already showing results.
30,000 Young Recruits Step Up to Fight Crime
Over the past three years, SAPS has welcomed more than 30,000 young recruits, all between the ages of 18 and 35.
These new officers aren’t just sitting behind desks—they’re being placed exactly where they’re needed the most.
“They’re out there on the ground, helping us boost visibility and making sure communities feel the presence of law enforcement,” said General Masemola.
Many of them have been stationed in community service centres, where they provide hands-on help to victims of crime and interact directly with the public.
Growing From the Ground Up: Detectives in the Making
But SAPS isn’t stopping at basic training.
General Masemola said the department is now preparing an additional 4,000 officers to become detectives.
The goal? To help improve the conviction rate and ensure justice is not only done—but seen to be done.
On top of that, another 5,000 officers have been trained in the Public Order Policing unit.
These officers are deployed to manage protests and large gatherings on a daily basis—often putting themselves right in the middle of tense situations to keep the peace.
Meet Mathonsi: Cop by Day, Champion Runner by Heart
Among those 5,000 public order police officers is Constable Nsuku Reanoldar Mathonsi, a 29-year-old powerhouse from Burgersfort in Limpopo.
And she’s not just making waves in policing—she’s also making headlines in the world of sports.
Mathonsi recently snagged a gold medal in the legendary Comrades Marathon.
Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that she became the first female police officer to ever win the prestigious Robert Mtshali Medal.
That medal is reserved for runners who complete the race in under 9 hours and 10 minutes.
Mathonsi smashed that benchmark with a time of 08:17:33.
Polmed Applauds a Story of Determination and Balance
Polmed, which offers health and wellness services tailored for police members, couldn’t be prouder.
Principal Officer Neo Khauoe said Mathonsi’s achievement shows just how far SAPS members can go when they receive not only physical training, but holistic support.
“It’s an honour to have played a part in her incredible journey,” Khauoe said, adding that her story is a shining example of what’s possible when professional support systems are in place.
Should SAPS Lean More Towards the Youth?
Mathonsi’s story and the new wave of young officers bring up an interesting question—should SAPS be made up mostly of younger recruits? With energy, passion, and fresh training on their side, it’s clear they’re making an impact.
But of course, experience matters too.
Balancing young enthusiasm with seasoned wisdom might just be the winning formula for keeping South Africa’s streets safer.