Security guard aims for the stars

Dzanibe, who is in his final year BTech in Security and Risk Management, obtained his National Diploma in May from the University of South Africa. Now he is determined to study more until he obtains his masters in forensics.

The soft-spoken 38-year-old was born in the small town of uMzimkhulu in the Eastern Cape. He came to Johannesburg in 1995 after he finished his matric.

“Studying has opened my eyes. I want to learn more and achieve so many things in life.”

He said his first job in Johannesburg was as a cleaner, before he trained as a security guard. “My mother wanted me to study teaching but I looked at the situation at home and decided to go and look for a job. So I ended up being a cleaner and then a security guard.”

Dzanibe’s struggles continued when he was retrenched from his security job in 1999. Then his luck changed in 2001, when he was employed by Caxton as a security guard. At the time, he met his future role model, Meshack Leshabane, who also worked as a security guard, before going on to study.

Dzanibe said, “I thank Caxton for what they did for me. Meshack is my role model, he always told me that my life doesn’t end at the gate. He also started here, but now he is working in the sales department in the magazines here at Caxton.”

“Many people look down on us (security guards). I want to show them that we can still achieve many things in life. They must know that we are also human beings who deserve respect. I also want to encourage my colleagues to try to improve their lives and do something to improve their career paths,” he said.

The devout Shembe Nazareth Baptist Church member said he wanted to reach for the skies. “Studying has opened my eyes. I want to learn more and achieve so many things in life.”

He added he would appreciate any financial assistance as he was dependent on government’s financial aid scheme, which is mostly a loan.