'I will keep working until I am 70': Police diver 'Pottie' Potgieter on crocodiles, hippos and a life of service
South African police diver Johan 'Pottie' Potgieter has announced his intention to continue working until he is 70. He credits the recognition and appreciation from the communities he serves as his primary motivation, valuing it over financial compensation.
Why it matters
Highlights the dedication of public servants in high-risk roles and the impact of community recognition on professional longevity.
Ask AI 9 min Newly promoted Lieutenant-Colonel Johan “Pottie” Potgieter says recognition from the communities he serves means more to him than money, inspiring him to continue working until he is 70.
Veteran police diver Johan “Pottie” Potgieter , who made headlines after being lowered from a helicopter into the crocodile-infested Komati River in Mpumalanga, has no plans to hang up his diving gear, saying public recognition has inspired him to keep working until he is 70.
He said the appreciation he receives from communities means more to him than money.
The 55-year-old South African Police Service (SAPS) officer has spent 38 years in the police, facing life-threatening situations while searching for missing people and recovering bodies from rivers and dams.
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