The winners of the 2026 Southern Africa Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) have been announced following a prestigious virtual awards ceremony held on 23 June 2026.
Recognising excellence across the security profession, the OSPAs celebrate the individuals, teams, and organisations demonstrating outstanding performance, innovation, and leadership. This year’s awards highlighted the remarkable commitment, expertise, and professionalism that continue to strengthen and advance the security sector throughout Southern Africa.
In addition to receiving regional recognition, winners in seven categories will progress to the 3rd Global OSPAs in 2027, where they will represent Southern Africa on the international stage. The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will also be inducted into the Security Hall of Fame, recognising their lasting contribution and impact on the profession.
2026 Southern Africa Award Winners:
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director
Dhiginina Kuume Uutaapama – Dogforce Security Service
Mr. Uutaapama is a security industry leader whose commitment to protecting communities and strengthening national stability has driven the growth of Dogforce Security since founding the company in 2014, expanding it to more than 150 staff across 45 client sites in six regions. Judges praised his strong combination of entrepreneurial and industry leadership, highlighting his significant contribution to both his company and the wider profession through his role as National President of SAN, representing more than 80 member companies nationwide.
“Receiving this OSPA is a humbling and inspiring moment. It affirms the values of integrity, discipline, and collaboration that drive our work in Namibia’s security sector. I dedicate this recognition to my fellow ,colleagues, our industry partners, and the communities we serve. Together, we are building a safer and stronger future.”
Outstanding Security Team
FNB Points of Presence Security
The FNB Points of Presence Security team demonstrated outstanding innovation and measurable impact, securing second place overall in the 2025 First National Bank Innovators. Judges highlighted the team’s bank-wide security transformation as a standout example of innovation, noting its successful integration of technology, resilience to load shedding, and bespoke solutions that delivered both security and business value.
Outstanding Security Consultant
Andre Mundell – Alwinco
Alwinco has established itself as a leading independent security risk assessment consultancy in South Africa, earning recognition for its unbiased approach and depth of expertise across multiple sectors. Judges highlighted the company’s strong focus on independent risk assessment and client education, noting its commitment to identifying real security risks and advancing risk-based thinking throughout the industry.
“Be the person who cares about getting it right, not someone who only cares about getting it done!”
Outstanding Security Training Initiative
Drone Pilot Crime Behaviour Analysis and Incident Detection Programme – 24/7 Drone Force
24/7 Drone Force, in collaboration with Craig Donald of Leaderware, pioneered the Drone Pilot Crime Behaviour Analysis and Incident Detection programme, transforming drone operations into an intelligence-led security capability. Judges described the initiative as an exceptionally strong and forward-looking response to a critical industry skills gap, highlighting its innovative application of behavioural analysis to aerial surveillance and its measurable improvements in incident detection, tactical communication, and intelligence-led deployment.
Outstanding New Security Product
POP Security – First National Bank
The First National Bank Points of Presence (PoP) team has successfully modernised cash-handling infrastructure through the rollout of a network-connected safe lock solution, enabling approved cash in transit partners to securely access cash remotely while improving operational efficiency and control. Judges recognised the solution as a highly innovative and operationally mature advancement, highlighting its combination of autonomous digital access control, strong governance, and bespoke in-house engineering that delivers measurable benefits across banking operations, CIT partnerships, and industry resilience.
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to receive the OSPAS Award for Outstanding New Security Product. This achievement is a proud milestone, not only for me but for the entire FNB Security Team. The recognition validates our commitment to innovation and excellence in developing security solutions that make a real difference.
This award will serve as a powerful source of motivation, encouraging the team to continue challenging conventional approaches, embracing new technologies, and developing innovative security solutions that enhance the safety and security of our people, customers, and assets. It reinforces our belief that innovation is valued and inspires us to continue driving security excellence across the industry.“
Outstanding Security Officer
Jesse Ntshay – ICRC
Judges described Jesse as highly credible and professional, noting strong operational awareness, effective stakeholder engagement, and a clear commitment to organisational resilience, safety, and operational continuity within a challenging humanitarian environment.
‘I am truly honored to receive this OSPA award, as the Oustanding Security Officer. I remain committed to advancing professional excellence, and security leadership, while supporting those who serve on the front lines of humanitarian action in the DR Congo.’
Outstanding Female Security Professional
Onkemetse Neo Seate – Debswana
Onkemetse Neo Seate, CPP, PSP, PCI, CFE, is a distinguished security professional and the first Motswana to achieve the ASIS International Triple Crown, serving as Security Advisor at Debswana mines where she leads intelligence, investigations, and risk management initiatives. Judges described her as a strong intelligence-driven security professional with a broad mix of technical and intelligence capabilities, reflected in her work strengthening governance, combating organised theft, and enhancing informer systems within Botswana’s security sector.
“I am truly honored to receive this award. It is a reminder that hard work, perseverance, and passion do not go unnoticed. Winning this recognition inspires me to keep growing, leading by example, and contributing even more to the security profession while encouraging other women to pursue excellence in the field which was traditionally male dominated.”
Outstanding Security Sustainability Award
Keyless Anti Hostage Door – First National Bank
The Keyless Anti Hostage Door is a highly engineered access control solution featuring zero scheduled maintenance, no batteries or keys, load shedding resistance with fail-secure operation, emergency exit, fire code and wheelchair compliance, and access via fingerprint or facial recognition when powered. Judges noted it as a highly practical and well-engineered solution, highlighting its operational sustainability benefits through reduced maintenance, elimination of consumables, and resilience during power instability, while also recognising its integration of lifecycle efficiency with genuine security enhancement and operational continuity.
Lifetime Achievement
Jimmy Roodt
Jimmy Roodt has dedicated over four decades to security excellence, with a career spanning elite military service, senior policing, humanitarian demining and explosive ordnance disposal operations across multiple countries, and pioneering private-sector explosive response capabilities. Judges highlighted his exceptionally diverse operational career and global experience in high-risk environments, recognising his lifetime contribution to the profession and sustained impact through leadership, innovation, operational excellence, and long-term commitment to protecting communities and developing others across the security sector.
“Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the OSPAs Southern Africa is a profound honour that represents the culmination of a lifelong commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation in the security industry. I am deeply grateful to my family, colleagues, mentors, and the entire Gauntlet Security Solutions team for their unwavering support. This recognition inspires me to continue raising the standards of professionalism and service across Southern Africa.”
The event organisers extend their appreciation to all supporting organisations and their representative judges whose commitment and collaboration continue to make the Southern Africa OSPAs a success.
