Brigadier-General Indrani Arends's journey from humble beginnings to military leadership

In honour of Women's Month, Brigadier-General Indrani Arends shares her remarkable journey from a clothing factory to becoming the first Indian woman to enlist in the South African Army and her climb up the ranks.

- NADIA KHAN

WHILE most women in her family opted to get married after they completed their schooling, Brigadier-General Indrani Arends chased her dreams.

This included becoming the first Indian woman to enlist in the South African Army.

Arends, 57, of Pretoria, said her journey had not been an easy one.

"There were many challenges along the way, especially being an Indian woman. But I remained determined and always believed in myself."

Childhood

Arends lived with her parents, maternal aunt and three siblings in Parlock, Durban. They later moved to Phoenix.

Her parents were machinists in a clothing factory.

"Life was tough because there was only enough money for the basic necessities such as rent and food."

Career

After matriculating at Westham Secondary School in Phoenix, Arends decided to get a job.

"I started working at a clothing factory where I cut off the threads from garments.

"However, my childhood dream was to become an air hostess because I wanted to do something different and exciting. At the time, the women in the family married just after finishing school, but I wanted to work to help my parents and be independent.

"While working, my career dream changed. I wanted to be a policewoman. I believed I could make a difference in society and I wanted a job where I could earn at least R400 a month. At the time, my parents' salaries combined amounted to less than R200. I applied to the police service, but was not accepted due to my height. I was too short."

After applying for various jobs, in 1988 she received a letter from the South African Navy, an arm of the then South African Defence Force.

"The letter stated that I had been preliminary accepted and needed to attend an interview. After the interview, I was accepted to do the basic training at the SAS Jalsena in Durban in April 1988, which I successfully completed.