MTHATHA– What began as a vision to fight crime and reduce unemployment has grown into one of the Eastern Cape’s rising security companies. Rural Boy Security Services, officially registered in March 2021, was founded with a strong commitment to community safety and empowerment.
The founder and director of Rural Boy Security Services Zukisani Nohaji, was born in Zandukwane village, Libode and later moved to Mthatha where he now resides in Mbuqe with his family.
He studied at Walter Sisulu University Mthatha Campus, where he completed his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Sciences. His rural upbringing played a central role in shaping his determination and values, which inspired him to name the company Rural Boy, a reflection of his roots and resilience.
Rural Boy Security Services was established in response to South Africa’s high levels of crime. Nohaji explained that his aim was to contribute to the fight against crime through legitimate and structured means.
Today, the company employs more than 200 people, providing both security and livelihoods that help ease poverty in local communities. The name Rural Boy is a personal reflection of Nohaji’s background. Having grown up in rural areas under harsh conditions, he chose to name the company after his upbringing and resilience.
With its head office based in Mthatha, Rural Boy Security Services stands as both a business rooted in rural identity and a growing force for community development.
The journey, however, has not been without challenges. The company faced serious threats of extortion and intimidation, but by working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), it managed to contain these risks and safeguard its operations.
Furthermore another pressing difficulty has been the delay in government payments, which often affect operational cash flow and paint an unfair picture of inefficiency for service providers who depend on these contracts.
Nohaji said that, “The company follows strict professional standards. Every guard is well-trained and accountability is taken seriously under the regulations of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA),” said Nohaji.
Rural Boy Security is more than just about guarding. It is also about giving back. The company has sponsored local soccer tournaments with kits, soccer balls, trophies and prize money.
During the recent floods in Mthatha, Rural Boy Security stepped in to support affected families. One of Nohaji’s friends well known gospel star Bethusile Mcinga, was organising a gospel show at Southernwood to raise funds for relief efforts and asked Nohaji to provide overnight security.
Nohaji said, say no more, “I told him not to pay us for the security, I wanted all the funds raised to go directly to the families affected by the floods.”
Furthermore, through its dedication to professionalism, community support and social responsibility, Rural Boy Security Services has proven that a security company can do more than protect, it can uplift and empower the communities it serves.
Photographs: supplied
