The South African Police Service (SAPS) has embarked on a series of profiles to celebrate women in policing and in particular female leaders within its ranks who are playing key leadership roles within the organisation to ensure a safer and secure country for all.
As Women’s Month draws to a close, SAPS celebrates the recently appointed Deputy Minister of Police and Member of Parliament, Polly Boshielo.
Boshielo took up her new role in the Police Ministry in June 2024, following the establishment of South Africa’s seventh democratic administration under the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Section 93(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates that Deputy Ministers appointed in terms of subsection (1) (b) are accountable to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions.
As a Deputy Minister in the Police Ministry, Boshielo’s role, alongside Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, is to support the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu in the execution of his duties.
This is a task Boshielo does not take lightly and says she is “rolling up her sleeves” in the fight against crime.
Boshielo hails from Seshego, a township in Polokwane in the Limpopo province.
Growing up, Boshielo always knew she was destined for a life in the political realm and matriculated at Mmakgabo High school in 1989.
Her political leadership acumen led her to become a respected South African politician and a leader who served the country in various leadership positions, both in public and private sector, said the SAPS.
This year, the country observes Women’s Month under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Year of Democracy Towards Women’s Development”.
Boshielo is a sterling example of a woman in leadership that believes in continuous self-development and obtained the following academic achievements:
• Master’s in Philosophy (MPhil) in Transport Studies (2018), University of Cape Town
• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) (2007), Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership, University of Limpopo
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) specialisation in Management (2004), University of South Africa
• Diploma in Road Transport (Passenger)(2000), then Rand Afrikaanse Universiteit
Boshielo is currently enrolled and studying towards a Doctorate’s degree in Administration through the University of Limpopo.
Over the years, Boshielo also completed a number of additional qualifications which include a Diploma in Office Administration, a Certificate in Personal and Team Effectiveness and a Certificate in Strategic Planning and Change Management.
The Deputy Minister went on to complete various other post graduate programmes among others, Executive Leadership Programme Certificate with the University of Cape Town (UCT), Senior Management Programme with the University of Pretoria (UP) as well as obtaining a Project and Programme Management certificate with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Boshielo said her political career started as an Administrator in the Office of the Secretariat in the African National Congress (ANC), Northern Province, before her appointment as the Head of the MEC’s Office of Dr Aaron Motsoaledi from 1994 until 2007.
She also served as General Manager in the Department of Roads and Transport responsible for public, freight and air transport.
Her leadership qualities and capabilities were recognised following her deployment to the National Assembly where she was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on 21 May 2014 and served until 5 June 2015.
She was assigned to serve at the Auditor-General for Transport, Status of Women and Public Enterprises committees.
Boshielo was also appointed as the Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature from October 2015 to May 2019.
Following the inauguration of the provincial government in 2019, she was then appointed an MEC for Education from May 2019 until June 2022 and then re-deployed to the Transport, Safety and Liaison portfolio as MEC until October 2022.
Boshielo was then deployed back to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature where she was appointed Chairperson for Quality of Life and Status of Women, Youth and Disability portfolio from October 2022 until May 2024.
Prior to her political appointments, the Deputy Minister served in various senior positions in both public and private institutions.
“As the Police Ministry our goal is this – to ensure South Africans and visitors to our country are safe and feel safe. Professionalism is key in ensuring services of a high standard are rendered to the communities our members of the South African Police Service serve,” Boshielo said.
The Deputy Minister promised to plough her wealth of knowledge and experience into her new portfolio towards a safer environment for all. – SAnews.gov.za
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