Duduza – Born and raised in Daveyton, Constable Nobuhle Mnisi (30) is the newly appointed Social Crime Prevention co-ordinator and communication officer in Duduza.
Her role blends her passion for education with the realities of policing. Mnisi explained that she excelled academically from an early age. In primary school, she was a prefect and an honours learner.
She continued her strong performance in high school, where she became part of the senior Representative Council of Learners and completed her matric before heading to the University of Pretoria.
There, she studied for a BA and graduated in 2017, majoring in psychology and criminology.
“Transitioning into adulthood brought unexpected challenges. For a full year, I could not secure employment. I eventually found work as a language consultant for a Midrand-based company that teaches English as a second language.
Nobuhle Mnisi loves community work. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
“I taught adults and children from around the world, and the experience gave me confidence, cultural awareness and valuable communication skills,” explained Mnisi.
“The role was one of the best periods of my life because it gave me a taste of an old dream, which was to become a teacher.
“I was inspired by my Grade Six teacher, a woman whose kindness and commitment made me want to follow the same path. That dream, however, remained elusive.”
Despite her strong academic record, in 2018 she decided to explore options within the SAPS. After completing a long recruitment process, she was accepted for training.
In 2019, she joined the SAPS College, graduated, and began her career on the ground at the Duduza SAPS. She served at the client service centre for five years, a period she describes as demanding but transformative.
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“My current role allows me to draw on the passion that has followed me since childhood. As a social crime prevention co-ordinator, I work directly with communities, schools and youth programmes. Small changes in someone’s life are worth the effort,” she said.
Mnisi’s position as a communication officer adds a different layer to her work. She said the role requires discipline, precision and restraint.
“Words can ruin a career if they are careless. Communication in policing is never casual. Every sentence must be thoughtful,” she cited.
She embraces the challenge because writing allows her to tell real stories and connect people to the work done in their communities.
The most persistent challenge she faces is not in the office, but in the public eye. She explained that many residents assume she cannot do her job because she is a woman.
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Nobuhle Mnisi. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
“They do not see the training, the discipline or the pressure that officers face. People imagine policing as physical confrontation when, often, it is emotional intelligence and negotiation that prevent violence.
“I know my strengths. If I cannot win by force, I win through calm, patience and persuasion. Inside the service, there is no difference between men and women. The stereotype comes from outside, “she mentioned.
Her message to young people considering a career in policing is that they should never give up, saying if the SAPS does not take you the first time, explore other avenues.
“Volunteer through CPFs, seek mentorship and learn the process before you try again. There are no shortcuts or bribery. Real progress comes from patience and integrity.
“Those who choose the profession must do so out of genuine love for people, not status or desperation. The work demands empathy and emotional resilience. Without those qualities, policing becomes unbearable,” she said.
Behind her uniform, she is shaped by family, mentors and supportive colleagues. She thanked the women who raised her, the friends who encourage her and her mentors, who remind her that she is capable even when she doubts herself.
“Service is not about being seen. It is about doing the right thing when no one is watching. In a profession where officers are judged at every corner, I have chosen to hold onto compassion, patience and integrity,” she concluded.
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