John Hammond – Guarding with heart, mind and prayer

John Hammond – Guarding with heart, mind and prayer

JEFFREYS BAY – Upon entering Kouga Local Municipality’s Woltemade Building, one figure has quietly become a cornerstone of both safety and spirit. John Hammond, a security officer with 16 years of experience, has spent the past six years serving at Woltemade.

But his impact extends far beyond the uniform he wears.

A man beyond the uniform

For Hammond, life is about much more than simply showing up for work. When asked who he is outside his duties, he speaks with the depth of a man grounded in faith, reflection and self-discovery.

He describes life as a journey of peeling back the layers, standing honestly before God and finding strength in silence and prayer.

“The closer a person comes to God, the closer you come to yourself, because His presence draws you to stand bare before Him.”

For Hammond, these are not merely philosophical reflections. They are lessons shaped by experience and woven into the way he lives each day. He believes that stillness can heal both body and spirit, a lesson he also shares with his family, including his two sons and four grandchildren.

For him, prayer comes first.

Anchored in faith and family

Hammond finds happiness in what many might consider the simplest things: spending time with his loved ones, taking moments for prayer and helping his grandchildren develop a strong spiritual foundation.

“There is nothing more important in life than making yourself feel good about who you are. That is the greatest gift my mother gave me through birth. That is what makes me happiest. Neither gold, nor silver can replace it.”

His family is both his anchor and his greatest motivation. His dream is not centred on material wealth, but on leaving behind a legacy of faith, honesty and resilience – values he hopes will continue through the generations.

Lessons forged through adversity

Hammond’s outlook on life has been shaped by challenges he faced long before he became a security officer. Reflecting on his early working years, he recalls experiences that nearly cost him his life.

“There was so much that happened before I started working in security. I nearly lost twice in my workplace.”

Those experiences left an indelible mark on him. Yet rather than allowing adversity to define him, Hammond says his faith helped him stand firm.

His life experiences have strengthened his belief that honesty and loyalty are among the most important foundations of a meaningful life.

And if he could speak to his younger self, his advice would be simple: “Always be honest. Handle yourself in a way that makes you feel good about who you are. That takes you further than you could ever have imagined.”

The heart of his work

At Woltemade, Hammond is known for more than his ability to keep watch. His colleagues have come to value the calm, warmth and sense of presence he brings to the workplace.

For Hammond, his approach to work can be summed up in three words: “Heart, mind, body.”

Guarding, in his eyes, is about more than vigilance. It is about carrying a sense of responsibility, prayer, gratitude and calm into every shift.

He approaches his work with loyalty and integrity, believing that the way people treat one another ultimately shapes the workplace.

“Everything that is handled with integrity must be handled the same by everyone. That is the strength of mutual respect.”

It is this philosophy that has earned him the respect of those around him.

A legacy of presence

John Hammond may be stationed at the entrance of a municipal building, but his influence reaches much further. He is a protector of people and property, but also a quiet teacher of faith, integrity and perseverance.

His presence has become so familiar at Woltemade that his absence is noticed.

“When I take leave, there are so many people who call me and tell me the workplace feels empty without my presence,” he says.

Perhaps that is the greatest measure of Hammond’s contribution. After 16 years in security, he has learned that guarding is not simply about watching over a building.

It is about showing up with heart, mind and body – and leaving people a little better for having crossed your path.