By Ncaba Ntshakala
‘Your country thanks you for your service’
It was a bittersweet moment as the Commissioner General of His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), LaMakhosini Phindile Dlamini, bade farewell to seventeen officers who retired from the department after years of dedicated service.
The officers, many of whom had served for over three decades, officially retired in 2024, which marked the end of their long and distinguished careers.
The farewell function was held at the Correctional Staff College in Matsapha on last Thursday and was an occasion filled with emotions, gratitude, and celebration.
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The event was attended by members of the Executive Command, fellow officers, the retired officers, and their spouses, all gathered to honour the contributions of those who had spent their lives upholding the values of the correctional services.
His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), LaMakhosini Phindile Dlamini described the gathering as a major celebration of the retired officers’ invaluable contributions, their continued leadership, and the positive impact they had made within the correctional community.
She commended them for their professionalism, integrity, and strong work ethic, which had set a commendable standard for those still in service.
As a token of appreciation, the Commissioner General presented each of the seventeen officers with a goat and a certificate of service, a gesture meant to symbolize their lasting legacy within the department.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow retirees, Senior Superintendent Mike Nxumalo, who had served the department for an impressive 39 years and six months, expressed deep gratitude for the years they had spent in service.
He first acknowledged God for keeping them safe throughout their tenure, allowing them to reach the milestone of retirement in good health.
Nxumalo also extended heartfelt appreciation to the Commissioner General, her executive team, and the entire department for the continued support they had received throughout their careers.
Addressing the officers still in active service, he urged them to respect the profession, emphasizing that commitment and discipline would allow them to grow and achieve more within the department.
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In his message to his fellow retirees, Nxumalo encouraged them to use their retirement packages wisely, ensuring financial security for themselves and their families.
He assured the gathering that, as retired officers of 2024, they remained committed to upholding the department’s integrity and would continue to conduct themselves with respect and discipline even in their respective communities.
He emphasized that retirement did not mean the end of their duty to society but rather the beginning of a new chapter where they would continue to lead by example.
He further expressed gratitude to the Commissioner General for the thoughtful gifts and urged her to maintain the initiative for all future retirees.
