The winners of the 2025 Southern Africa Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) were revealed on Wednesday, 4th June, at Securex South Africa.
Winners from all categories (except Lifetime Achievement) will be featured in the second Global OSPAs set to take place in 2026. Winners will automatically qualify for the global competition. The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be inducted into the Security Hall of Fame.
2025 Southern Africa Award Winners
Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director: Kerissa Varma, Microsoft.
Kerissa, with over 20 years of cybersecurity experience, including CISO roles at Vodacom and Old Mutual, joined Microsoft in October 2024 as chief security advisor for Africa. She is recognised for her leadership across diverse industries and countries, her emphasis on making cybersecurity a business priority, and her dedication to gender equity as the founder and president of WiCyS Southern Africa.
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director: Jannie Ruppersberg, Koreserv Security.
Through strong leadership and an employee-first approach, Jannie has driven security performance, enhanced operational efficiency, and improved client satisfaction and retention. By empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and improving systems and processes, Jannie has built a culture of excellence and trust at Koreserv Security.
Outstanding Security Team: SBV Security and Intelligence Team – SBV Security Services.
In a country facing the highest rate of cash-in-transit incidents globally, the SBV Security Team has demonstrated exceptional resilience and effectiveness. Despite the challenging environment, SBV accounted for only 1,4% of South Africa’s 1456 CIT attacks over the past five years, setting a benchmark for security excellence.
Outstanding Security Consultant: André Mundell, Alwinco.
André Mundell, founder of Alwinco, is a leading independent security risk assessor with over 6000 assessments conducted across sectors. Known for evaluating security through a criminal’s lens, his expertise has shaped best practices globally, influencing businesses, communities, and professionals in South Africa and beyond.
Outstanding Security Training Initiative: Derica Lambrechts – Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University.
Associate Professor Derica Lambrechts has taught Political Risk Analysis at Stellenbosch University for over a decade, equipping students and professionals to navigate risks arising from governmental and societal actions. Her dynamic, practice-oriented courses – covering topics ranging from cybersecurity to geopolitical shifts – prepare graduates for analyst roles locally and internationally.
Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator: Secutel Technologies.
Secutel Technologies has demonstrated exceptional efficiency and innovation in security integration, driven by a lean and adaptable team, as well as a strong focus on client outcomes. Through continuous improvement, advanced technology, and support, it has set a benchmark for excellence and long-term value in the security industry.
Outstanding New Security Product: Docked Drone Solution, 24/7 Drone Force.
In 2024, 24/7 Drone Force launched a Docked Drone Solution featuring drones that autonomously take off, land, and recharge from a remote docking station. These drone-in-a-box systems are programmed for missions and are operated by licensed BVLOS pilots from a central command centre.
Outstanding Female Security Professional: Eva Nolle, Ceravoid.
Eva Nolle is the co-founder of Ceravoid and founder of the South African Women in Security Network, currently serving as regional vice president for ASIS International’s Region 10A. She holds CPP, PCI, and CFE certifications and was recently appointed to the B20 South Africa Integrity and Compliance Task Force.
Outstanding Young Security Professional: Denielle Rawthee, Vodacom.
Denielle is a visionary cybersecurity professional with a four-year track record of driving innovation, including leading DevSecOps initiatives and bridging the cybersecurity skills gap for startups. She established key programmes at Vodacom, mentored future professionals, and fostered a security-conscious culture across Vodafone's African markets.
Lifetime Achievement: Dave Dodge.
Dave Dodge served in the Metropolitan Police in London for 30 years, retiring as a Detective Chief Inspector in 2007, with a focus on major crime, public order, and diversity training. He then joined Eskom in South Africa as Chief Advisor – Group Security, contributing to national infrastructure protection and planning for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Since 2013, he has worked as an independent security and risk management consultant across Africa and the Middle East. Dave is a certified expert in multiple international security standards and was the first in South Africa to hold both CPP and PCI certifications from ASIS International.
With nearly five decades of experience, Dave has made significant contributions to both the public and private security sectors, running his consultancy for over a decade. He is an active volunteer with ASIS International, helping to elevate his peers through certification courses and playing a key role in developing industry standards and guidelines.
The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) recognise and reward companies, people and innovation across the security sector. The OSPAs are designed to be both independent and inclusive, providing an opportunity for outstanding performers, whether buyers or suppliers, to be recognised and their success to be celebrated.
The criteria for these awards are based on extensive research on key factors that contribute to and characterise outstanding performance (Aspiring to Excellence – Perpetuity Research). The OSPAs have been established in collaboration with security associations and groups across multiple countries.
The judges this year included:
• Filipe Joel de Almeida – Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA).
• Chandre Bezuidenhout – ASIS South Africa.
• Tony Botes – Security Association of South Africa (SASA).
• Dewald Herman – ASIS South Africa.
• Cesley Olivier – South African Women in Security Network (SAWSN).
The organisers would like to thank all those who have helped make the Southern Africa OSPAs event such a success, including all the supporting associations and judges, as well as Edith Cowan University (sponsors of the trophies and certificates).
Who can enter the awards?
The Southern Africa OSPAs are open to nominations from all Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. These are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kingdom of Eswatini, Kingdom of Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
Find out more about the Southern African OSPAs at https://za.theospas.com/
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