Staff
Management
Director
Mr Rick Nuttall
Rick obtained an MSc (cum laude) in Zoology from the University of Natal in 1989 on research focusing on certain aspects of the behaviour of estrildid finches (Aves, Estrildidae). He was appointed as Museum Ornithologist in February 1991, a position held until his appointment as Deputy Director in 2001. His research interests include community ecology of estrildid finches, taxonomy and systematics of white-eyes (Aves, Zosteropidae) and biometrics, moult and migration of Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica, the latter in collaboration with international colleagues. Rick has authored a number of scientific, semi-scientific and popular publications, including contributions to The Atlas of southern African Birds, Roberts Birds of Southern Africa (7th Edition), The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland and Important Bird Areas of southern Africa. Rick also serves on the review panels of a number of zoological and ornithological journals.
Rick has served in various capacities on the Council of BirdLife South Africa, the country's leading bird conservation organisation and South African Partner of BirdLife International, a global network of conservation organisations; he is currently serving a term as Honorary President of BirdLife South Africa. He has also served on the committee of BirdLife Free State, the local branch of BirdLife South Africa.
Rick was appointed Director of the National Museum in May 2003. Despite the administrative responsibilities of this position, he still manages to contribute regularly as a keen participant in national bird monitoring initiatives co-ordinated by the University of Cape Town's Animal Demography Unit (ADU). These include the Co-ordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts (CAR) and the second Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2); Rick also serves on the Steering Committee of the latter and acts as Regional Co-ordinator of SABAP2 in the Free State Province.
Rick has a keen interest in the outdoors and is passionate about birds and birding; he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences with others. He is also a keen amateur avian sound recordist. His most recent interests include watching butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.
Personal Assistant to the Director
Mrs Shirley van der Westhuizen
Shirley has been working at the Museum since May 1999.
Responsibilities
- Personal Assistant to the Director
- Secretarial duties
- Typographical layout of reports and the Museum’s research journal Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum
Finance and Administration including Procurement Office and Support Services
Chief Financial Officer
Ms Erika Smit CA (SA)
Erika qualified as Chartered Accountant in 1995 and completed her articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she remained until 2006. She was appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the National Museum in 2006.
Senior Bookkeeper
Mrs Michelle Barnes
Michelle has a BSc degree and joined the Museum in June 1994; she transferred to the Administration Department in 2006 after working as Research Assistant in the Acarology Department for 12 years.
Responsibilities
- Time and Attendance
- Salaries
- Debtors
- Bank Reconciliation
Senior Bookkeeper
Ms Nikki Louw
Nikki has a BA Communication degree and joined the Museum in March 2008.
Responsibilities
- Creditors
- Assets and Inventory
- Petty cash
Switchboard Operator
Mrs Naomi Muller
Naomi has been working at the Museum since 1997 and joined the Administration Department in 2001.
Responsibilities
- Switchboard operator
Senior Bookkeeper
(Head of Procurement Office)
Mrs Ilse de Swardt
Ilse has a NDip (Secretarial) diploma and joined the Museum in January 1991. She started as Switchboard Operator and transferred to the stores in 2001.
Responsibilities
- Provisioning and Procurement
- Fleet Management
Bookkeeper
(Procurement Office)
Mr Cliffie Barnes
Cliffie joined the Museum in April 2003 as Caretaker at Oliewenhuis Art Museum. He transferred to the stores in May 2009.
Responsibilities
- Provisioning and Procurement
shop assistant
Mrs Diane Smith
Diane has a diploma in nursing and joined the Museum in April 2006 as a part time relief for the switchboard and shop. She was permanently appointed as Assistant in Café Museum in August 2007 and transferred to the Administration Department in February 2009.
Responsibilities
- Shop assistant
- Manage telephone and postage accounts.
Human Resources Generalist
Cobus Jansen van Rensburg hr [at] nasmus [dot] co [dot] za
Cobus obtained a BSoc Sc degree at the University of the Free State in 1989 (part time), followed by a BSoc Sc Hons in 1993, majoring in Industrial Psychology. He joined the Museum in 2009.
Messenger
Mr Jacob Tsomela
Jacob joined the Museum in January 2007.
Responsibilities
- Post
- Deliveries
- Bank Deposits
Caretaker Services
Chief Caretaker
Mr Lieb Venter
Lieb has been working at the Museum since November 2002 and was promoted to Chief Caretaker in May 2007.
Responsibilities
- Supervise caretakers
- Security of the Museum and buildings
- Maintenance matters with regard to buildings and alarms
- Client services and enquiries
- Liaise with the Department of Public Works
- Reception desk
Senior Caretaker
Mr Pule Moeng
Pule joined the Museum in September 2007.
Responsibilities
- Security of the Museum and buildings
- Reception desk
- Client services and enquiries
- General maintenance
Relief Caretakers
Oliewenhuis
Mr Aubrey Vermeulen
Mr Les le Roux
National Museum
Mr Stoffel Bekker
Mr Les le Roux
Mr Jaco Smith
Freshford
Mrs Marina Knight
Mrs Hannatjie Labuschagne
Raadsaal
Mr Les le Roux
Mrs Engela Strauss
Cleaning staff
Supervisor: Trudie Peyper
Trudie's main work is in the Arachnology Department. In addition to this, she supervises the cleaning staff.
Cleaning Staff
Edith Leeuw
Cleaning staff
Mrs Naome Komako joined the Museum in June 1984.
Cleaning staff
Mrs Florie Makhabe joined the Museum in November 1981.
Cleaning staff
Mrs Maria Malaku joined the Museum in October 1989.
Cleaning staff
Ms Mangi Malaku joined the Museum in July 2002.
Cleaning staff
Mrs Maku Mocumi joined the Museum in November 1981.
Cleaning staff
Mrs Ruth Mompati joined the Museum in November 1985.
Cleaning staff
Mrs Elsie Nkedi joined the Museum in October 2004.
Cleaning staff
Ms Elizabeth Ntsala joined the Museum in January 1984.
Cleaning staff
Ms Magdelena Sebatle joined the Museum in November 1988.
Cleaning staff
Ms Finas Xintolo joined the Museum in November 1981.
Cleaning staff
Mr Benjamin Taole joined the Museum in January 1984.