Retired cop an inspiration

POLICING and mentoring is in her blood and even after her retirement, former Western Cape deputy police commissioner Sharon Jephta continues to educate other women.

With nearly 40 years of policing under her belt, Lieutenant-General Jephta, formerly of Cape Town, now lives in Gauteng with her husband, Lieutenant-Colonel Mogamat Jephta, who has retired this month.

Despite retiring in 2019, Jeptha continues to inspire hope and educate women and men while having an impressive record.

She was the first female divisional commissioner of the Division Inspectorate in the SAPS. Jephta saw the evolution of women in the police force, breaking the barriers of how men perceived women in uniform.

She and her husband are set to release a book, Arrows In Our Quiver, where they tell of their lives in the police and being parents, with a total of 73 years of policing between them.

Jephta is also writing her own book, Cop Ice, which will focus on her career, and which she hopes to release in March next year, covering the role of women in the police force for 50 years.

She hopes to consult with other retired police officers to develop and implement mentorship programmes for policewomen. Jephta tells how she climbed the ranks and the battles she faced.

“I was promoted in the province to deputy provincial commissioner crime prevention, to the rank of major general in 2011. I’ve learned to use every stumbling block as a stepping block to climb the ladder.

“Further to this, I have learned that in the workplace you have to choose your battles wisely and never pick a fight with your commander without knowing your rights, but to lift the lid when challenges arise.

“You must be willing to explore new environments and not stay in one stream in the workplace if you want to become multi-skilled.

“To be multi-skilled and to serve with integrity, commitment and excellence has earned me the position of divisional commissioner: inspectorate in 2015 at the rank of lieutenant-general. I became the first female divisional commissioner of the division inspectorate in the SAPS, making history to the top,” she said.

Talking about Arrows In Our Quiver she said: “My husband and I are writing a book about raising our children as cops. My husband has just retired at the age of 60, after 35 years’ service with the police.”

She has now begun tennis coaching and started a vegetable garden for her community.

“I’m consulting with other retired policewomen to develop and implement a mentorship programme for serving policewomen.

“I was responsible for policy development in visible policing and was intensely involved with the development of victim support and domestic violence policies in SAPS, so I will be using that knowledge and experience.

“I started with tennis coaching this year and will be joining the tennis league and start playing tournaments in due time. My husband is the number one SAPS tennis champion for his age group in SAPS and also plays national level tournaments. We intend travelling with these tours.”

She has two children, both in the arts industry.

Jephta said she experienced a lot of challenged as a woman in a male-dominated environment.

“The fact that I was always the only woman in the boardroom has been challenging in a cowboy’s world.

“In boardrooms, you are sometimes not taken seriously or supported with an idea. There were no women I could look up to as a mentor in the police as I was always the senior woman around.

“I had to remove many barriers as many SAPS policies were not female-friendly – long hours at roadblocks and no toilets and specifically when I was menstruating. SAPS later made toilets part of logistics for the field.

“When I asked for a full-length mirror it was not part of the specifications. I had to motivate and convince my male colleagues that I couldn’t see when the seams of my uniform were out or when I had a rip in my stockings. They eventually changed the specifications.

“When I became a senior manager, the specification for office furniture was dark brown and black leather and wood. I indicated that I need couches with colour, I wanted orange and green and cushions and a round table for my board room, not the square ones specified.

“I was seen as a threat by my senior male colleagues, but I had all the support and respect from junior male colleagues.

“This, however, improved after I became part of senior managers, as my male colleagues were aware of my knowledge and experience in policing.”

Last week, friends and family took to social media applauding Jephta for her service in the force.

Brandon Arendse said: “This is one of the best female heroes and she set the true example for other young females.

“She still continues to inspire others to follow in her steps. Thanks for the years you gave to the SAPS organisation, may your legacy live on in other females following your footsteps.”