Mpho More has worked in financial administration for various institutions across South Africa for many years. She tells Tukkievaria why she chose UP, and about her professional life and personal preferences.

“Apart from the University of Pretoria (UP) being one of the top universities in South Africa and Africa at large, I was drawn to the institution’s evolving transformation and its institutional culture that embraces diversity,” says administration control officer Mpho More, who works in the Department of Security Services. She lets us in on her daily schedule, work background and the challenges of her job.

Tell us about yourself.

Firstly, I am a mother and I absolutely enjoy spending time with my children doing fun activities. I am an optimistic person – I believe that having a positive attitude and surrounding myself with positive energy allows me to be happier and bring happiness to others. I consciously practise positivity in my life. I enjoy interacting with different people as well. I am a dedicated person, and am thorough in whatever I do, especially my work. I dislike negative energy; it is draining and takes a lot out of one.

Where did you work prior to joining UP?

I was a liaison officer in the Grants Management and Systems Administration Directorate of the National Research Foundation. I was involved in the financial administration of grants for grant holders at tertiary institutions across South Africa.

What is your role at UP and what does it entail?

I am an administration control officer in the Department of Security Services. My days are not always structured in the same way because I deal with various activities each day. Some of my daily activities include access control by managing the activation and deactivation of staff and student cards; attending meetings; financial administration; and ensuring that visitors comply with regulations at the Visitor Management Centres at the Roper and Prospect gates, which fall under my domain. I also attend to all access-related queries from the UP community and Student Services Centres.

What attracted you to UP?

Apart from UP being one of the top universities in South Africa and Africa at large, I was drawn to the institution’s evolving transformation and its institutional culture that embraces diversity. I enjoy working in an environment that is inclusive and open to everyone.

What sort of challenges do you contend with in your department?

Time management – we work in a highly pressured environment where everything has to be done adequately and accurately. Every aspect of our work is important, and not doing our jobs correctly poses a risk to the institution. With the various tasks at hand and all the distractions of our day-to-day business, it seems there is never enough time to focus on the one important thing, which is prioritising tasks. I also think crime-related incidents on and around our campus are demoralising.

What do you enjoy most about your job and why?

I enjoy the interactions I have with the UP community at all levels, as well as with parents and contractors. Our visitors’ desks are the first point of contact and we ensure that we give our clients excellent service. We are a customer-focused department and we strive for excellence in order to ensure that we provide a safe and secure environment for the UP community.

A few of Mpho’s favourite things:

Favourite sport: Soccer

Favourite food: Pasta dishes

Favourite movie: The Equalizer 1 & 2

Favourite actor: Denzel Washington

Favourite musician: Aretha Franklin

All-time hero: Maya Angelou