Noko Masalesa is an experienced safety and security professional with more than 20 years of expertise across the higher education, automotive, research and development, public service, and municipal sectors. As the Senior Director: Protection Services at the University of the Free State (UFS), he provides strategic leadership and direction to ensure the safety and security of the university community.

Prior to joining the UFS, Masalesa served as the risk control manager at BMW SA’s Rosslyn assembly plant in Pretoria. He has also held key positions at various organisations, including group security manager at the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, regional manager for security and risk management at the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, deputy manager at the Limpopo Department of Health, and acting superintendent at the Tshwane Metropolitan Department of Police.

Venetia Solomon is a skilled associate general accountant (AGA(SA)) with a foundation in financial management, auditing, and accounting. At Protection Services, she plays an important role in managing budgets, preparing financial statements, and maintaining internal controls to ensure financial compliance and accuracy.

Her expertise supports the department’s operations by delivering detailed financial reports and promoting collaboration across teams.

Stephen Matthews is a seasoned security manager with 28 years of experience at the University of the Free State.  He is the current Protection Services Site Manager on the Bloemfontein Campus and has experience in the management of security on the South Campus and large events on both the Bloemfontein and South campuses.

Matthews is a registered Grade A security officer, and completed a Peace Officer Certificate, Misconduct Investigation and Report Writing, Engage Leadership Programme, Supervisory Skills Certificate, and other relevant related courses.

Anacleta Madintja Mofokeng holds the position of Office Manager in Protection Services, with a Diploma, B-Tech, and Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management from the Central University of Technology. She has built a career in the public sector, with more than 20 years of professional experience in administration acquired in various government departments, including the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the SANDF, and the Free State Provincial Treasury.

In her role, she provides strategic and administrative support to ensure the efficient functioning of Protection Services, contributing to the safety and well-being of the university community. Her extensive background in public administration has equipped her with strong organisational, management, and stakeholder engagement skills, which she applies to enhance service delivery within the department.

Eric Duma is a security professional with more than 18 years’ experience in the security industry, with 8 years at management level. He is currently the Protection Services Site Manager on the Qwaqwa Campus, and has worked as a site supervisor at Southend Security Services, case and security officer at the Department of Correctional Services, administration officer: security and safety at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, cluster manager: security and facilities at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, regional security manager at Nedbank, and assistant director: security management at the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs. His academic qualifications include a NDip Security Risk Management (Unisa), Advanced Diploma in Security Management (Unisa), Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law (UJ), Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Investigation and Criminal Justice (UKZN), Senior Management Development Programme (UFS), and a Certificate in Safety Management (Unisa).

Mosiuwa Joseph Tsekeli is an accomplished integrated security systems specialist with more than 15 years of experience in the private sector and a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. He has built a distinguished career grounded in technical excellence, systems integration, and infrastructure resilience.

Tsekeli has extensive expertise in the design, installation, testing, and commissioning of integrated security solutions, including CCTV, access control, intrusion alarm, fire detection, and fire suppression systems. His work consistently ensures compliance with industry standards while delivering reliable, scalable security solutions aligned with operational requirements.

As Assistant Director: Technical Security Services, he provides strategic oversight of all electronic security technologies deployed at the university. He ensures that systems are optimally maintained and fully functional, while effectively managing service providers responsible for intrusion alarms, CCTV, and access control systems.

Keabetswe Modiroa is a safety and security professional with 17 years’ experience in the law enforcement/safety and security sector. She is currently employed by the University of the Free State to coordinate security operations on the South Campus and was previously responsible for events and evacuation coordination.

Before joining the UFS, she was a police officer with the rank of warrant officer serving as security events planning officer and events coordinator, events compliance officer, close protector, static protector for the VIP Protection Unit and the Presidential Protection Unit in the Free State and nationally. She has rendered close protection services to various heads of state and/or prominent identified persons, including the Secretary of the United Nations.

She previously worked for Absa (AllPay) as a paymaster, where she was responsible for the payment of social grants to SASSA beneficiaries and was subsequently promoted to treasury clerk (bulk teller) because of her aptitude for numbers.

Modiroa’s qualifications include, but are not limited to: NDip, BTech: Safety Management (Unisa). She is currently studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management.

She also obtained certificates in Basic Policing, Basic and Advanced VIP Protection, Identification of Explosives, Advance Driving, and High-Speed Driving from various SAPS training academies. She also holds SAMTRAC, HIRA, and OHSAS Internal Audit certificates.

Dr Thapelo Mojanaga is a highly experienced detective and security professional with more than 25 years of expertise spanning the South African Police Service (SAPS), higher education security, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).

He currently serves as Assistant Director: Protection Services at the University of the Free State (UFS), where he leads and manages the investigations function within the department.

Before joining the UFS, Dr Mojanaga held several senior policing positions within SAPS, serving as Detective Commander at the Heidedal, Kopanong, and Kagisanong police stations. He subsequently joined the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) as Investigation Manager within Protection Services before moving to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) as a Sub-Section Commander. In this role, he was responsible for investigating national priority crimes, including fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

Dr Mojanaga has an extensive academic and professional qualifications portfolio. He holds a National Diploma in Policing and a BTech in Policing from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration Honours, Master of Management, and a Doctor of Management in Security Risk Management from STADIO Higher Education. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law from the University of the Free State.

In addition, he completed a comprehensive suite of Forensic Practitioner programmes at North-West University (NWU), including Forensic Investigation, Forensic Accounting, Forensic Information Technology, Forensic Law, and Fraud Risk Management. He is a designated Forensic Practitioner South Africa (FPSA).

Dr Mojanaga is an active member of several professional bodies, including the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP).

His extensive experience in criminal investigations, forensic practice, security risk management, and organisational governance positions him as a respected leader in the fields of law enforcement, investigations, and security management.

Sebestion Kruger is a senior traffic officer with 16 years of experience at the University of the Free State. He is currently the acting Chief of Traffic in Protection Services and has experience in traffic management on a tri-campus framework in accordance with the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, as well as policy and procedure strategy enforcement.

His achievements include implementing innovative traffic control measures, coordinating with local authorities and safety campaigns, and receiving commendations for professionalism and dedication to public service.

Kruger is a qualified traffic officer who completed his Traffic Diploma at the Mangaung Metro Traffic College. He has also completed related management courses, such as the New Managers Development Programme (UFS), Labour Law Certificate (UFS), Labour Law Advanced Certificate (UFS), and Social Law Certificate (UFS).