Thokozile Mnguni
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was named Newsmaker of the Year at a gala dinner held in Pretoria last night.
The event was hosted by the National Press Club at the CSIR International Convention Centre.
It recognises individuals who have shaped the country’s news agenda over the past year.
Accepting the honour, Mkhwanazi said he did so with humility, while cautioning against the meaning of public recognition.
“I receive this recognition tonight with humility, but also with caution,” he said.
He said policing is not driven by public approval or awards.
“The work of a police officer is not performed for applause. It is not performed for headlines. It is not performed for awards. It is performed for the people of South Africa.”
He said his constitutional oath remains unchanged under pressure.
“That oath does not change depending on political convenience, media pressure, public opinion or personal consequence,” he said.
Mkhwanazi also referred to his 6 July 2025 media briefing, which drew widespread attention. He said it was not about a personal profile.
“The media briefing of 6 July 2025 was not an exercise in popularity,” he said. “It was not a campaign. It was not an attempt to become a public figure.”
He said it was an act of duty.
“It was an act of duty,” he said. “An act informed by conscience and by the responsibility I carry as the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.
He warned that society becomes unstable when truth is avoided.
“When institutions begin to fear the truth more than they fear criminality, society enters dangerous territory,” he said.
He said corruption and incompetence cannot be allowed to continue.
“We cannot continue to normalise corruption. We cannot continue to protect incompetence,” he said.
Mkhwanazi called for accountability across all sectors of society, including government, business and the media.
“If South Africa is serious about a national reset, then that reset must include all of us,” he said. “Political leadership, law enforcement, the judiciary, business, civil society and the media.”
He dedicated the award to members of the South African Police Service, praising officers working under difficult conditions.
“This recognition belongs to them,” he said. “The officers who continue to serve with integrity despite intimidation, limited resources and relentless criticism.”
He said history will judge leaders on principle and action, not recognition.