‘I chose the army because women belong in it as well’
It’s serious work, seeing the world is bonus – Macaties
Lucia Macaties of 21 South Africa Infantry Battalion stands among fellow soldiers during the ‘O kae Molao’ joint operation held by the SANDF, the SAPS and JMPD in Protea Glen, Soweto, yesterday.
Lucia Macaties firmly believes it’s a big misconception that the army is a career choice better suited for men.
Macaties, 29, born and bred in Kimberley, the Northern Cape capital, has been part of the army for nine years and has no regrets about her career choice.
She joined the army as she felt that it was an important career, and to feed her other interest of seeing the world.
Based at the 21 South African Infantry battalion near Naturena, south of Johannesburg, Macaties has always dreamt of being a soldier.
“It’s a misconception that the army is designed for males,” she said.
“Since my training days, we were always trained by various female instructors and there was never a time where females were excluded from anything apart for separate sleeping quarters and bathrooms,” she said.
“I grew up an ambitious child and I’ve always taken advantage of opportunities afforded to me.
“I am not defined by the odds nor my circumstances and I’m forever willing to learn.”
Learning is what she has been doing, including reading extensively about Covid-19, whose fight she believes the country will win, despite losing many people to the pandemic.
Macaties has been part of several recent operations including those in partnership with other law enforcement agencies like the SAPS, in crime busting activities such as “Operation O kae Molao” and “Operation Notlela”.
“We have been supporting the SAPS, JMPD and other security clusters, and now we are assisting the department of health and social welfare ... the South African Social Security Agency.”
Being in the army has seen her getting deployed in wartorn Southern Sudan and other parts of the country including the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, among many other areas.
“I love my job because we see a lot of different places, meet different people and learn about cultures. I actually learnt another language while doing my basic training.”
Macaties believes that even her confidence as a person has grown since she joined the army.
“I’m fearless now and that makes me want to strive to do better always,” she said.
She advised girls who are interested in joining the army not to be discouraged.
“It’s a good exposure because even with myself I never thought I would make it this far but I’ve made it.
“It’s only perseverance that can really take every young girl places.”
For Women’s Day, Macaties plans to put down her boots and army fatigues and celebrate the day with her friends.
“Me and nine of my friends have booked ourselves for a spa treatment as we just felt we need to pamper ourselves because we work hard everyday,” she said.
Macaties added: “Women’s Day is a tribute not only to the thousands of women who marched on the day in 1956 but also a tribute to the pioneers of other women’s movements in the country.”
She said it was important for young women to stand together and build each other instead of breaking each other.
“We must build each other and fix each other’s crown rather than break each other down.”