Vhembe-born SAPS communicator Col Robert Mukurob Netshiunda has been promoted as KwaZulu-Natal's provincial section commander responsible for media relations. Photo supplied.
News Date: 17 December 2022
Former journalist Nthambeleni Robert Mukurob Netshiunda from Makhuvha started off as an administration clerk at the human resource development component of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Polokwane in 2007. Two years later, he was moved to the provincial corporate communication unit, where his love of journalism was re-ignited and his career really started to gain momentum.
In 2014, Netshiunda was seconded to the national head office of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, in Tshwane with the rank of lieutenant. Another two years later, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. Netshiunda then had a brief stint as communicator at the SAPS Giyani Cluster, but he would return to Gauteng to serve as national police spokesperson.
On 1 November this year, Netshiunda was promoted to colonel. He will be serving as KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial section commander responsible for media relations.
Limpopo Mirror caught up with him last week and asked him how he felt about his promotion. Netshiunda said that his elevation to middle-management level in the SAPS was because of many long hours of hard work and dedication. “Media liaison is a 24-hour job. You need to understand that people deserve to know the truth and that journalists have tight deadlines. It takes a willing heart and passion to field hundreds of media interviews a day, give all media practitioners equal attention, respect and the highest level of professionalism,” he said.
But Netshiunda’s whole life does not revolve around law enforcement. Aside from his tight work schedule, he is also a league-winning soccer coach and multi-award-winning music manager. He is living proof that ambition does get one far in life. He wants to send out a message of encouragement to the youth to believe in their dreams and be disciplined, so that they may achieve them.
“Do not let your background discourage you. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve it. Perseverance, patience and passion will unlock all doors that are meant for you to enter,” he said.
