Security officers Peter Moloko and Sello (Solly) Lebelo, who are permanently allocated to the UP Museums in the Old Merensky Building and the Old Arts Building, were presented with the awards in recognition of their dedication. Both recipients received certificates of appreciation in addition to the awards to honour their outstanding achievements and the direct contributions they make to ensure that the UP Museums are safe environments for both the museum’s collections and people.

The event was attended by UP Registrar Professor Caroline Nicholson; Phillip Mmushi, Deputy Director of the Department of Security Services; Chris Colyn, manager of Compliance in the Department of Security Services; and UP Museums staff. 

“It is the excellent relationship that I have with security services and UP Museums staff that keeps me dedicated,” said Moloko, who has served UP Museums for 11 years, having worked as an alarm response officer before taking on his current position.

Lebelo expressed his thanks and stated: “I appreciate the recognition because it shows the trust that security services and UP Museums staff show me.” Lebelo has given eight years of trustworthy services to the UP Museums. Prior to this role, he worked at UP as an events security officer.

These are the first museum security awards in higher education and within the South African museum sector. For the UP Museums, shared museum values applied within curatorship, collections, engagement and conservation are very similar within the museum security environment: honesty, loyalty, kindness, respect, accountability, integrity and quality.

Physical museum security is the first defence against theft and criminal activity, and the utmost protection of valuable and often irreplaceable collections. At the same time, museum security provides a safe environment by protecting premises, buildings, museum facilities, students, staff, visitors (both local and international tourists) and the broader communities that the UP Museums serve as their social contract to civic society. Watching over visitors by physical guarding, surveillance systems and the top-notch standards of the Department of Security Services within a given museum space monitors and safeguards the rich art, and cultural and heritage artefacts within the University. 

“UP Museums acknowledge the value that museum security brings to daily operations in enhancing the quality of services and the reputation of museum collections and archives,” said Sian Tiley-Nel, Head of the UP Museums. “At UP, due recognition is vital to those who provide a professional service, and it is hoped that others in the creative arts, heritage industry and museum security sector consider the many more unsung heroes out there that are also deserving of praise.”