Captain Andre Beetge has been the go-to between the media and the police in Nelson Mandela Bay for the past 30 years.
The police spokesperson also boasts many talents such as photography, woodwork and sewing.
Q: At what age did you decide you wanted to follow a career in the SA Police Service?
A: I was 18 years old.
Q: How did the communications/spokesperson job come about?
A: Back in 1995 when the SAPS introduced the communication component, I joined it to have a more family friendly work environment as I was based at the old Riot Unit which resulted in me being away from home for weeks at a time.
My eldest daughter was born in 1993 and my second in 1995, and so I wanted to spend more time with the family.
In 1997, I joined the provincial office which had many challenges as we needed to train all the new communication officials in the province.
In 1999, I joined the Kariega communications office for a year, and after that the old PE Area Office and eventually Motherwell station and cluster.
When the clusters were amalgamated, I was placed at the Nelson Mandela Bay district where I am currently still today. This year marks 30 years of placement as spokesperson for the SAPS in the Bay area.
Q: What is the most challenging part of being the go-to between the police and the media?
A: I would say constantly having to be on your cellphone and nowadays WhatsApp. It knows no time frames.
Society has also become addicted to social media to voice their opinion online, whether it’s the truth or not, which is possibly the biggest killer of trust in the SAPS and it makes the work of all communication officers in SA so much more demanding.
Q: Strangest media request you have ever received?
A: I cannot single out a specific request, but I can say that I have received many inquiries of high-profile and sensitive cases over the years, and it is never easy dealing with those.
Q: You have plenty of other hobbies and talents. Can you tell us about this?
A: I love adrenalin sports. I used to do long-distance running, triathlons, played darts for the SAPS Club of which I was the chair, and did rock/mountain climbing until 1995, but was forced to take a break from it all.
I made a comeback in 2002 and did nature hikes and camping, and resumed my rock/mountain climbing with the Eastern Cape Mountain Club.
I also did some time with the search and rescue team but had to retire from that after a spider bite almost resulted in me losing my right ankle.
Nowadays, I love kayaking and spear fishing and sometimes just taking videos of sea life. I am also an avid photographer and have my own studio for when my retirement comes.
Other talents include sewing (yes, us men can do that too).
I also love working with wood and last year I did a total makeover of my bathroom myself, making use of my talents which my late father would have been proud of.
Q: If you were only allowed to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Difficult choice, but I would stick with prawns done in garlic butter.
Q: Favourite GQ restaurant and why?
A: My kitchen! But I do love visiting GQ restaurants for steak and chips or some prawns. I enjoy Apron Strings, where it feels like you are sitting in a forest garden while watching the birds and butterflies do their thing.
Q: If you had a warning label, what would it say?
A: I am very focused on all of my senses and most of the times I give and feel too much. I am, however, quite a daring type and will do stuff I’m dared to do (within limits) even if it leaves me with a red face.
I guess the label could read: “Be careful what you ask for.” It, however, does not apply for my official work environment.
Q: Any quirks/superstitions/irrational fears?
A: I am not a superstitious person, but I am able to read the signs. It has kept me alive until now.
I do not fear anything really, but I use my common sense of safety when needed.
I did take part in the qualifying interviews for the Fear Factor TV series back when I was 38 years old, but I fell out for the show in the end.
Q: If you could have any pet, what would it be and why?
A: I have had some exotic pets in my life — a snake and a scorpion, but it was more of me saving them than anything else.
Q: Do you believe pineapple belongs on pizza?
A: I do like pineapple and I do like pizza, but they do not belong together in my opinion.
Q: What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?
A: Having a heart attack during a police management meeting in 2016.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
A: I would love to be invisible. I could easily make a list of people I would love to secretly visit.
Q: What’s your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
A: Playing online games or a good movie and a cuddle.
Q: If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?
A: It would have to be the fairytale wicked witch.
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