Celebrating Mandela Day: Captain Ezra October's contribution

This Mandela Day, marked on July 18, retired police officer Captain Ezra October will form part of the volunteers assisting The Haven Night Shelter in District Six with its Dignity Project, aimed to help restore dignity to homeless people.

The former communications officer at Cape Town Central police station's career spanned 36 years as a member of the South African Police Service, starting as a rookie at Grassy Park police station in 1988.

Captain October, from Strandfontein, worked at Wynberg police station for 17 years and then moved to Cape Town Central police, where he retired last year. 

He was known for his involvement in community groups, schools, and dealing with homelessness, women’s groups, and even working with seniors in the areas covered by the precincts in which he worked.

He still serves at the Haven Night Shelter in District Six regularly, and the communities he partnered with over the years.

Captain October recalls meeting the late former president Nelson Mandela, among other dignitaries and celebrities, at South Africa’s first post-Apartheid international rugby game at Newlands stadium in 1995 as a rookie.

“In the tunnel, as the players walked out, I realised we were waiting for someone, and it was Nelson Mandela. I walked out and shook his hand. Big guy, with soft hands like the paws of a cat. It was the most amazing experience of my life.

“He encouraged us. He said: ‘Be safe, but work hard. Be diligent and be determined. Your work that you do is very important to the community.’ I thought ‘Wow, what a blessing'. He really inspired me.

“I remember putting my hands in my pocket so as to not shake hands with anyone after that.”