Khumo Makamu
Seventy-two learners from twelve high schools in the Francis Baard District battled it out on 22 January 2026 at the Kimberley SAPS Gymnasium for the SAPS Francis Baard Junior Commissioner Competition.
SAPS collaborated with the Department of Education, GM Sentletse Foundation and Safer South Africa.
The competition stems from the Frances Baard District Junior Commissioner Project 2025/2027. Leaners participate in SAPS-related leadership and awareness programs, thereafter, they compete.
The Junior Commissioner Blueprint document serves as a standard document aimed at promoting ethical values, leadership, and mentorship among young people, while actively involving learners in crime prevention and school safety. The competition aligns with the National Youth Crime Prevention Strategy, aiming to build youth resistance and resilience to crime and violence.
Major General Charlotte Makgari said the objective of the project is to create safe and secure learning environments from crime, drugs and violence while empowering young people to become positive agents of change.
Participants debated and responded in public speaking, prepared and unprepared speeches, including topics of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and the effectiveness of the Purple Campaign.
A representative from the Dept of Education, Tebogo Tau, reiterated that the SAPS Junior Commissioner Project is an initiative spearheaded to help the police and learners find one another in the fight against crime.
He confirmed that the Department has a solid partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to link schools with local police stations and establish functional School Safety Committees.
Under the Regulations for Safety Measures at all Public Schools, the Minister has declared all public schools as drug-free and dangerous weapons-free zones.
The outgoing Commissioner Oregolele Kuriti mentioned the long-term impact of the initiative, saying, “A safer society is not built only by arrests and convictions. It is built by the choices we make for our young people.” He said the Junior Commissioner Project is a lot more than a public speaking and debating competition.
The Frances Baard District Junior Commissioner and Junior Unit Heads were appointed as follows:
Frances Baard District Junior Commissioner: Jordan Oss (16) from Northern Cape High School in Kimberley.
Frances Baard District Junior Vispol Head: Oratile Selebalo (14) from Mogomotsi Secondary School in Ikhutseng, Warrenton.
Frances Baard District Junior Detectives Head: Neo Entle Ndlovu (16) from Tetlanyo High School in Galeshewe.
Frances Baard District Junior Support Head: Anotidaishe Thenzeni (17) from Hoerskool Vaal Rivier, Barkly West
Oratile Selebalo, NeoEntle Ndlovu and Anotidaishe Thenzeni in key junior leadership roles.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to participants and SAPS social crime prevention coordinators, reinforcing the project’s objective of developing confident, responsible youth committed to safer schools and communities.
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