Northern Cape police and partners mark Heritage Day at Upington stadium
SAPS members joined government departments, the NPA and the Dawid Kruiper municipality at Robert Gunda Stadium in Paballelo for a cultural event held under the 2026 theme "Celebrating Our Living Heritage".
The South African Police Service in the Northern Cape marked Heritage Day with a cultural event at the Robert Gunda Stadium in Paballelo, Upington, on Monday, 21 September 2026.
The celebration was hosted with Community Policing structures, the SAPS Women’s Network and Men for Change, the Department of Correctional Services, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Department of Social Development, the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality, and the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.
This year’s Heritage Month and Heritage Day commemorations carry the theme “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us”, which the police service says highlights living heritage in strengthening social cohesion, Ubuntu, national unity and a shared sense of belonging.
SAPS components set up exhibition stalls at the stadium, with members representing different cultures and traditions through traditional attire, cultural displays and traditional cuisine.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, attended alongside the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Keagekae Besnaar, and provincial heads of SAPS components.
Lieutenant General Otola delivered the keynote address, emphasising the importance of embracing South Africa’s diverse cultural heritage and fostering unity within the organisation and the communities it serves. Major General Besnaar spoke on the purpose and significance of the celebration, and on the role of cultural diversity and social cohesion in strengthening relationships between the SAPS, government institutions and communities.
Councillor Suzan Komazi attended on behalf of the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality and welcomed dignitaries, SAPS members, government representatives and stakeholders.
Messages of support were delivered by the Chairperson of the Northern Cape Provincial Community Policing Board, Mr Clement Baai, Mr Armando Damara of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Acting Area Commissioner of the Upington Management Area, Ms Coroline Kammies, a representative of the Department of Social Development, Mr G. Mjezu, and the Station Commander of Upington SAPS and Acting District Commissioner of ZFM, Brigadier Peet Coetzee.
The District Commissioner of Pixley ka Seme District, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, closed the programme with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the participating departments, stakeholders and SAPS members.
The Northern Cape SAPS says it remains committed to strengthening partnerships with government departments, municipalities, community structures and other stakeholders in promoting social cohesion, Ubuntu and safer communities. This report is based on the police service’s media statement on the event.
