Editor | Policewoman

SERGEANT RENECIA AVONTUUR SECTOR MANAGER

SAPS, MOWBRAY

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? It sort of chose me… I wanted to join the army and went to the police station to get my fingerprints done, papers stamped and signed, but one of the sergeants there, who later became a ‘big brother’ / mentor to me, convinced me otherwise. So, I walked out with forms to join the police instead.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? In 2000, I started in Cape Town Central as a community patrol

THE FUN POLICE

WRITING THE HEADLINES

officer and did my basic police training. Two years later I decided to become permanent police and was transferred to Kraaifontein, where I did Crime Prevention and Complaints. But it was too dangerous, so I joined the Canine Unit. I did my Patrol Dog Handler’s course in 2006, and in 2008, my Explosives Dog Handler’s course. I went on to do the Canine Narcotics course in Pretoria. Three years ago I started at Mowbray Station as Section Manager.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY I don’t really have a set routine. I start with coffee, check my wall planner, do some admin, then you’ll have a walk in visitor and the day starts to go in all sorts of directions. The homeless people in the area sometimes come in with a tip-off on things they’ve seen. I have my people here I trust. I brief them and go on searches, finding things like stolen property, drugs. My hours are: 7:30am-4pm / 12am-8pm / 10pm-6am.

the Writers Bureau College of Journalism, Manchester, United Kingdom. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? I love the interaction with people. I missed that at the Dog Unit.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? People telling me what to do, and corruption.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Getting my job done while getting around corruption despite police having a bad reputation in this regard. It’s only a tiny handful of corrupt people, so we just have to keep doing what we are doing to stamp it out and serve the community.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? When the community thanks you. They send letters of recognition and thanks to you or your station

DAVID MWANAMBUYU EDITOR

BLACK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE AN EDITOR? It came naturally. Since my teenage days I always wanted to know what was happening around me and read just about everything that came my way. I love words and that was obviously a major factor in my decision.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I studied journalism with IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK OR TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)? A passion for people and an unquenchable quest for knowledge are key traits for succeeding in this profession.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK, IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? In my view, experience sets one apart, it gives you the confidence to explore any subject under the sun. That’s why it’s very important for graduates to do a bit of writing on a freelance basis prior to seeking a full-time job. It’s a very competitive profession, as such editors usually prefer dealing with the tried and tested. So, get your byline out there for all to see. A crime intelligence officer gives us a crime intelligence pattern analysis every month and I plan according to that. I decide my hours and I put in my time.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF WORKING AS AN EDITOR It’s frenetic. I check my diary first then edit freelance copy, read the business press, research ideas, then put pen to paper. And so it goes, every day...

“The industry is not as glamorous as it is made out to be.”

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO? I like having the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life and the constant flow of information that I have at my disposal. I also love the art of turning bare facts into a readable story. That is artistic! commander and then you feel that you’re making a difference. The police also rewards you with longservice medals every ten years.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? I would like to keep doing courses like the next firefighting course and the Basic Ambulance Assistance course (paramedic line; three weeks).

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? It’s 50/50. You need both and you’re always going on courses to empower you to do your job better.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? You have to be on a different level of crazy! You must be a strong person; be able to work with the community; you mustn’t get hyped up too quickly; you must be level-headed; be able to take a lot of stress, think on your feet and walk away in certain situations.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Dangerous, exciting, awesome

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB? The perennial deadlines.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER AS AN EDITOR, SO FAR? The highlight would have to be editing Black Business Quarterly.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I would love to go into media ownership one day.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY? The industry is not as glamorous as it is made out to be; it’s hard work as you need to be prepared to go the extra mile at all times.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS A bookworm’s paradise.