Johan Boonzaaier, Director of Security Services at the University of Pretoria (UP), continues to inspire staff and students through his journey of perseverance and commitment.

Having served 31 years at UP, Boonzaaier’s career has taken him from security inspector to Director. His current role entails overseeing the safety and security of those entering any of the University’s campuses.

In 1991, Boonzaaier joined UP as a security inspector. He recalls how drastically UP has changed since then. “When I look at the Administrative Building and our campus, there were once no fences at all. There was no access control. It was an open public space, part of the town.”

At that point, his job required him to work day and night shifts. “When everybody is going home, you report for duty at night time. It’s not a nice feeling, especially when you are married and have small kids.”

Such experiences at the start of his career prepared him for cementing a good relationship with colleagues as Director. He leads his team with an acute understanding of the challenges and nuances of an entry-level job. After 1991, Boonzaaier held many positions, including control room operator, shift manager and contract manager, where he was ultimately retrenched and rehired to a different position. In 2008, he was appointed as a manager of security operations and his working hours began to normalise. Eight years later, he took a step towards his current position as Deputy Director and, in 2019, was appointed as Director of Security Services.

The job transitions and promotions required Boonzaaier to intentionally and continuously learn new skills. His current position comes with multiple challenges and demands. The most notable task is balancing the interests of all stakeholders, including staff, students, unions and the general public on and off campus. Additionally, the Fees Must Fall movement brought new complexity to his duties and required his team to think on their feet.

Similarly, the long-term management of the transition from outsourcing to insourcing staff while balancing the financial sustainability of the department has required focus and sensitivity. However, Boonzaaier sees the benefit of these challenges.

“I believe they have shaped me into what I am today because they assisted me with my communication skills. One begins to reflect on what happened during the day ­– how did I conduct my business; how did it go during that meeting?” 

In contrast to current employment trends, Boonzaaier’s 31-year term at UP is rare. He believes his love for the job and his passion for people has kept him at UP all this time.

“In my time, people believed that you start with one job and remain loyal to that employer. They will look after you and you will progress within that specific context.” Boonzaaier truly believes that UP prioritises the well-being and career development of its employees and dependants.

His advice to those aiming to reach great heights in their career is: “Always be passionate about your work, because the moment you are not, it is time to move on. And once you are in a managerial position, make sure that you look after the well-being of your staff and, of utmost importance, stay positive.”

Going forward, Boonzaaier hopes to cultivate pride and unity within the Department of Security Services. He is developing a communication plan, which will include a newsletter that celebrates and recognises the exceptional performance of individuals within the department.