On Stellenbosch University (SU) Campus, there is one acquaintance most students share. Chances are good that you have walked past him more than you can count. You might have smiled at him as he greeted you, and if you are one of the lucky few, you might have received a brief word of encouragement during stressful times. There could have even been times when you felt frustrated as he kindly asked you to finish your coffee outside the library.
Reger Collin Williams (38), the security guard stationed at the entrance of the SU Library has become synonymous with intense studying, researching or procrastinating in the bib*.
Pro Events’s security guard , Reger Williams, assisting a visitor at the Stellenbosch University Library. PHOTO: Ingrid Liebe Kluckow
Williams is not just your average security guard, he is a former trained firefighter and a father of three. Williams’ childhood was filled with playing street cricket and touch rugby in the neighbourhood of Kylemore, a small town outside Stellenbosch on the Helshoogte Pass, where he still resides today. He is currently married to his lifelong friend who “practically grew up next door to me,” he explains.
Eight years ago he was forced to find a job which would allow him to spend more time with his family. His daughters, Kenia (12), Lily-Anne (3), Karli (5 Months) are his priority in life, and therefore it is not difficult for him, “to wake up at 5 am to ensure everyone gets to school and daycare on time”, he states.
He joined the SU community as a security guard working for the outsourced company, G4S. After the #FeesMustFall movement in 2015, Pro Events won the tender and became the new acting security service on campus, Williams joined the company.
Library security guard , Reger Williams, explaining what his duties entail. PHOTO: Ingrid Liebe Kluckow
During his childhood years, his mother repeatedly told him, “In order to receive respect from someone, you must show them respect”, and to this day respect forms the cornerstone of his daily life.
According to Williams, the students of the university are the highlight of his day. “It is a privilege for me to deal with these students,” Williams claims as he is sitting on the stairs outside the bib. He also states that he does not consider himself solely as a security guard, “I see myself as a guidance officer to students and to some even a parent”.
Collin October, Williams’ shift partner has been working with him for several years and according to him they have had “great times working together”.
It has recently become his dream to study Psychology as he truly believes that he has a way with people and that most people feel comfortable talking to him about their worries. “Some big guys, guys I have to look up to, tell me when they are stressed,” he tells with humbleness in his eyes. It is his mission in life to make a positive difference in the lives of the students of SU.
Library security guard, Reger Williams, on duty ensuring the peace and safety of those in the library. PHOTO: Ingrid Liebe Kluckow.
Lambert Fick (23), former student and 2015/16 Primarius of Majuba Men’s Residence states that Williams’ friendliness cheered him up as he entered the bib during the “stressful and depressing exam periods”. He further explained how Williams, despite working 10-11 hour shifts, never seemed to be in a bad mood, “he always smiled, even when students were upset about not being allowed to take their coffee into the bib”.
After being subjected to the intimidation of the infamous “men in black” (a group of highly trained security personal, who only wore black and who were deployed by the University during #FeesMustFall in 2015 and #FeesMustFall 2.0 in 2016), Williams realised the power in educating oneself.
He was present during a peaceful bib sit-in, where members of the #FeesMustFall movement peacefully protested and refused to leave the bib as they wanted Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, to tend to their questions in person. Willaims asked the members of the movement to explain why they were protesting, and according to him, “It was peaceful and they had good manners, they just spoke about how they struggled on campus, I listened and then I understood better”.
Reger Williams, security guard at the entrance of the Stellenbosch University Library, welcoming students and visitors at the library. PHOTO: Ingrid Liebe Kluckow.
According to Williams, many students speak to themselves in the bib during exams, and this has given him an immense amount of reason to laugh during his shifts. During exam periods he enjoys encouraging the students while they study. It is Williams’ dream for South Africa that fairness and respect will reign supreme, and this inspires him in his daily doings.
**The Stellenbosch University Library is widely referred to as the bib, a shortened version of the Afrikaans word for library, which is biblioteek. **