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New chairperson for PSIRA

The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) has appointed a new chairperson, Professor Ntomb’fikile M. Mazibuko. She also serves as an Emeritus Professor at University of KwaZulu-Natal. Mazibuko, an academic, believes in flexibility and multitasking.

Professor Ntomb’fikile M. Mazibuko.

“In the context of my primary responsibility as chairperson, I strongly believe in the principle of adaptability, multi-disciplinarity, teamwork and governance that complements operations,” she says. “I come with experience in social policy, strategic planning, executive and academic staff development, transformation projects, administration, governance and management.

“I take being the first woman chairperson as a challenge and an opportunity to understand and effect the mandate of PSIRA and the functions of the council as outlined in the PSIRA Act (Act No. 56 of 2001), to ensure transformation within the private security industry. This will include, amongst other things, integration of gender equality policies, ensuring that young persons, especially women, see economic and self-development opportunities in the private sector.”

Another critical role for Mazibuko is to give strategic direction to the industry, not by being instructive, but consolidating input from stakeholders and the executive management team together with national strategic plans and policies. The challenge will be to ensure that the working relationship with the executive team and stakeholders is complementary and supportive.

She explains that for PSIRA to succeed, it must not just 'crack the whip', but be developmental, educational, nurturing, ethical and preventive in its approach. It has to enhance creative tension versus destructive tension.

“Safety and security is no longer the domain of the police or state safety and security forces in South Africa and globally. There is reasonable documented evidence that states globally can no longer confidently and effectively provide safety and security for all without the private and quasi-private security industry. It is evident from recent studies that collaboration and partnership amongst security forces is the way to go. Construction of partnerships will shape and influence the architecture of safety and security locally and globally well into the future,” she notes.

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