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.

Glen Mkhasi is an experienced traffic law enforcement professional with more than 15 years of expertise in municipal traffic law enforcement and metropolitan policing. As the Chief Traffic Officer: Protection Services at the University of the Free State, he provides strategic leadership, management, and direction to ensure compliance with all road traffic rules and regulations, free movement of pedestrians, and free flow of vehicles. 

Prior to joining the UFS, Mkhasi worked at various traffic law enforcement agencies. He served as Metro Police officer at JMPD, as well as Senior Traffic Officer and Assistant Superintendent Traffic Administrations and Prosecutions at the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality. 

Mkhasi holds a range of qualifications, including a National Diploma in Road Traffic and Municipal Police Management (TUT), National Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Metropolitan and Traffic Policing (Lyceum College), Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law (University of Johannesburg), Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice System (Technikon Pretoria), Higher Certificate in Law Enforcement Supervision (Lyceum College), Higher Certificate in General Management(Lyceum College), and Higher Certificate in Security Risk Management (Skills Academy). He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Disaster Safety and Management.

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.

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.

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).

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.