A farewell for Colonel Pierre Van der Riel was well organised by Sgt Hilton Malila at the St Agnes school hall in Dublin Street, Woodstock on Friday 8 April, complete with red carpet and a puck Guard of Honour of the Woodstock SAPS four Sector Managers and a few more Constables. A number of songs items were excellently delivered by two serving members of the police force and were very much enjoyed by a packed hall of colleagues, Woodstock residents, friends and invited guests. One of the songs, 'Skaduwee' (Shadow) was sung by Wheeler-Fourie as a tribute to the service, dedication, love, friendship and comrade which was so characteristic of Pierre's nearly eight years spent at Woodstock police station, she herself now a Colonel - but before was one of his subordinates at the Station. A clear account of other command positions where he had served before were shared by Pierre in his address as well as what his objectives, ideals and values were, and will be, in his further role as the Cape Town Cluster Commander and in the year and a half left before his hopeful retirement. A few speeches, some fun remarks from Hilton, a handing of a book to Pierre 'A History of Woodstock' handed by Teun Baartman as the Chair of the WCPF, an engraved keepsake handed also to him by Capt Jephta, a photo session with one and all, and a final salute was ordered by Sgt Prins to his outgoing Officer Commanding. As Pierre is an ardent fisherman when away from the office, a book of 'Fresh Water Fishing", sponsored by OBSID, was handed to him by Helen and I as a token form the Observatory community.
It was also very fitting that Colonel Van der Riel announced the full appointment of Colonel Duma Ntzeso as the commissioned Officer Commanding to the Woodstock Precinct as the post was offered him and was accepted by Duma earlier the morning. He too delivered a speech in which he noted his previous commands, gave us a bit of insight into his thoughts and ideals, and unfolded for us the reception of an infant when born into the world, the care and guidance given to the child by the surrounding parents and family. In the same way for him too, to be given the nurturing and tuition by the family of and around Woodstock, as he finds his feet under the new command having to step into the rather 'very big boots' of his predecessor. A warm welcome clap was offered Duma in settling him in, and of course, came the driehoekkoekies (samoosas), koekies, koeksisters, tee, juice and more, well prepared by staff and willing hands, and was much enjoyed by one and all. James On 5 April 2011 02:32, James Cowley <[email protected]> wrote: > After near seven years of command at the Woodstock Police Station Colonel > Pierre Van der Riel was transferred with effect of 1 April 2011 to the Cape > Town Police Department. The Colonel will take over a newly created post > as the Cluster Officer Commanding, i.e. the head over eight Police Stations, > of which Woodstock also falls under. His main tasks, amongst a few > others, are to oversee Visible Policing and the Policing Operations of > the eight Police Stations. His successor, Colonel Nteso, was transferred > from the Cape Town Central Police Station and will serve at Woodstock in a > temporary capacity until the actual post is advertised and an appointment is > made. It was conveyed that, no drastic changes is envisaged at Woodstock > and as Colonel Van Der Riel said, at attending the Observatory Sector Police > Sub Forum last week to bade his arewell was, “I am still going to be around > Woodstock in the execution of my new duties and can always be contacted > should there be a specific need requiring my attention, my cellular number > will remain the same”. > The ONW, having grown to come alongside the Colonel especially during the > last two years, wishes Colonel Van Der Riel a successful time of service > forward in his new post. We also welcome Colonel Nteso into the midst of > the Woodstock Precinct. Observatory, as Sector One, offer our goodwill > and support to Colonel Nteso and trust that the good work that was begun by > his predecessor may be continued under his command at the Woodstock Police > Station. > James > > *James Cowley* > > *082 926 1220* > > *021 448 2824 (t&f)* > > Observatory Neighborhood Watch: Chairman > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en.
