23-Year-Old Security Officer Flexes His Salary, Mzansi Applauds
- A 23-year-old South African security officer proudly revealed his salary on social media with confidence
- His honesty and hard work impressed TikTok viewers, with many praising him as an inspiration
- The viral post sparked discussions about youth employment, saving, and celebrating small milestones
- Briefly News spoke to John Mokapu, a security officer, and Thobile Noxolo Ndwandwe, the CEO of Lethokuhle Security Training School, to hear their thoughts on the realities of being a security guard in South Africa
South Africans praised the young security guard for confidently sharing his R10,000 salary, calling his story inspiring and a reminder that dedication pays off.
Source: Getty Images
A young South African has captured Mzansi’s attention after proudly sharing his monthly income. TikTok user @larrykhanye02 posted a video revealing that, at just 23 years old, he works as a security officer and earns R10,363.60 a month. His post immediately went viral, sparking conversations about financial independence, hard work, and the realities of entry-level jobs in South Africa.
In the video, Larry shared in a trending TikTok challenge how much he earns as a 23-year-old security officer. Viewers flooded the comments section with messages of support, praising him for his transparency and dedication at a young age. Many users compared his earnings to other entry-level positions, with some noting that security work often provides stable employment and decent pay compared to other sectors.
Young security guard inspires South Africans with his hard work and earnings
His story resonated with young people striving for financial independence, particularly in a country where youth unemployment remains a major challenge. Larry’s confidence and pride in his honest work served as an inspiration to many, proving that success is not always measured by job titles but by hard work and responsible financial habits.
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Several TikTok users expressed hope that Larry would use his earnings wisely, whether through saving, investing, or upskilling for future opportunities. His viral moment is a reminder that celebrating small milestones is part of the journey to long-term success.
John and Thobile spoke to Briefly News about the challenges, misconceptions, and the respect the industry deserves. John Mokapu shared that one of the biggest challenges in security work is the low pay, despite the critical responsibilities guards carry.
“One of the biggest challenges we face in this job is the wages. We get paid low salaries, yet we are responsible for the safety of properties worth millions and the protection of people. We work long hours daily, but we get paid peanuts.”
He also spoke about the misconceptions South Africans have about security officers:
“South Africa has this misconception that security officers are uneducated or that we ran away from school. Yet many of us are well-educated and love learning, but due to the scarcity of employment, we take these jobs to support our families. Thinking that we have failed in life is simply not true.”
Lastly, John stressed how essential security officers are to the country’s safety and stability:
“Our work is among the most important in South Africa, alongside policing, teaching, and healthcare. Without security officers, our properties and people would be vulnerable, and the country’s safety would be compromised. We play a huge role in reducing crime, and South Africans need to respect every man and woman who wears a security uniform.”
Thobile Noxolo Ndwandwe, who spent three years as a security guard before becoming a director, echoed his concerns, saying that many companies do not treat guards fairly.
“Most companies are not paying guards well, and some even pay them late, which shows that security staff are not appreciated enough. Without the guards, our companies would be nothing because they are the ones doing the work on the ground.”
She further highlighted the need for ethical treatment and fair contributions to benefits:
“Companies must respect their security staff, contribute to UIF, SARS, and provident funds, and stop abusing their power. Security guards work hard, have families, and deserve to be treated with dignity. We need them as much as they need us.”
Source: Getty Images
Netizens also joined in the trend
Reitumetse Oyintando said:
“Age 21, job kitchen gal, salary 3000.”
Qiniso Mchunu Phakade wrote:
“Age: 23, job: hustle, salary: depends on what kind of people walk at night. 🥲”
S.G. commented:
“Age 21, student, salary: R1716, sphefumla ngenxeba sijabula makuqala unyaka ngoba suke sesithembe book allowance. 🤣”
MR COMMENT said:
“Age 34, job security, salary R12,500, kids 2 boys, and I’m planning to marry the mother of these 2 boys.”
thabang1995 wrote:
“Age 26, SSG security mining division, salary R14,000 after deductions.”
Bra Cage Sefoka commented:
“Age 36, job nna ke sefebe xem, salary 370... Sometimes it says pending for over four months.”
MADLANDUNA ZN said:
“Age 26, job security, salary R21,359.”
Nosihleprecious wrote:
“Age 21, job: General Assistant at DSW, salary R13k, also a part-time student at Unisa.”
Check out the TikTok post below:
3 Briefly News stories about salaries
- A viral Facebook video shared a professor’s payslip, showing a basic salary and net pay that left many stunned.
- A lady flaunted the pay slip of a community service dentist, and people went wild over the woman's revelation.
- The salary of a gardener in South Africa shocked many people on the internet and sparked a buzz.
Source: Briefly News
