Kotie Potgieter, Woman of the year 1998

The 1998 overall and media and communications category winner of the Shoprite Checkers / SABC3 Woman of the Year Award was Kotie Potgieter. The unwavering commitment of a young policewoman in fighting crime and uniting the community and police against a mutual enemy was rewarded in 1998, when Kotie Potgieter became the third winner of the Award.  She won the Award as one of the youngest police station commanders in the country and was one of a few women appointed to this position when she took control of the Randburg police station in December 1997. Thereafter she headed the Krugersdorp police station.

She boasts some remarkable achievements, but one that stands out is her work in the crime-ridden community of Kagiso on the West Rand. When she was appointed to the Kagiso police station she was, as a white young woman, initially greeted with suspicion, but used her community building skills to turn the situation around. She managed to reduce crime substantially and had the full support of the community in this crucial fight. Years after her departure the community was still asking for her return.

Winning the trust of that community wasn’t easy, but through sheer hard work and determination, she managed to do so. The community and the police united against the criminal elements and consequently crime in the area has been virtually eradicated.

Kotie travels all over the country spreading her message on crime prevention. "I speak to people from all walks of life and from all sectors of the community" she said, "Winning this award has really helped me in encouraging people to fight crime. I am so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to make a difference and to give something back to my country."

Kotie said winning the Award kept her humble and thankful. “It continuously reminds me of the many blessings that I enjoy daily and that there are a lot of people out there whom are in a less privileged position. It gave me the opportunity to interact with other people, and to convince people to believe in themselves. “Everybody has a purpose in life and it is a wonderful experience to know that you are not on earth by chance, but that God has put you here for a reason. It is for you to determine what that reason is and to fulfil it.”

Her advice to nominees  is to enjoy the whole experience that awaits them. “It is not important to be a category winner and/or the overall winner. What is more important is the fact that you are making a difference in the lives of others. Your positive contributions towards the community do not go unnoticed and it’s good to know that you have made a difference in this world and that your legacy will live on forever,” she says.

In 2001 Ms Potgieter was relocated to Limpopo where she headed provincial crime prevention. As Head of Crime Prevention in Limpopo, Kotie played a pivotal role in contributing towards reducing crime in the Province. For the past few years, the Limpopo Province has been one of the Provinces with the lowest crime rate in the country, largely because of plans and actions initiated by her component.  She was awarded for her efforts when she received the trophy as the best Provincial Head in Limpopo from Provincial Commissioner Sengani at the Year End function of the Police during November 2005.

She plays an active role in enriching the lives of the destitute people in the province and has several projects running in which the plight of homeless people and street children are being addressed. On a personal level she has also adopted a family without a breadwinner in the Seshego area and is making contributions to ensure that this family is clothed and fed.

Furthermore, during Festive Season periods, she and her family make up hampers with essential products, which are then delivered to people in need. 

In the beginning of April 2008 she was appointed to Tembisa SAPS as the Head of Crime Prevention. Kotie still travels throughout the country spreading her message about the prevention of crime.