????If you've visited the Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) Museum in Ryneveld Street, you've probably met one of the institution's most remarkable employees. Johannes Adams (63) is a familiar face on campus as senior caretaker of the SU Museum, but few people know that he has been a dedicated worker at SU for a full 40 years. In that time, he saw five rectors come and go.
Adams has worked for SU for so long that he remembers the days before email and the internet well. When he was appointed as a messenger in 1985, one of his duties was to deliver letters by hand. He crisscrossed the campus on a bike with a basket attached to the front. "Back then, we still wore light blue shirts and dark blue pants," he remembers. The students would sometimes prank him and move his bike to another stand. "Students can be very mischievous sometimes," he laughs. "It's just part of being young."
When former president Nelson Mandela visited the SU campus in 1991, Adams was in the crowd in front of the then BJ Vorster Building (later Arts and Social Sciences) welcoming the struggle hero. "It was one of the greatest moments of my life," he recalls. He also has a vivid memory of the Nusas (National Union of South African Students) protests of those years. With the first Woordfees held in 2000, Adams was part of the team that worked behind the scenes at the Museum.
As a youngster in the turbulent eighties, Adams didn't have the luxury of finishing school. He progressed to Standard 8 (nowadays Grade 10) at Lückhoff High School before he had to leave school to look for work. "I was lucky to get a job at De Wets clothing store. As an only son, I felt obligated to help my mother support the family. I made a promise to take care of her until her old age, something I was privileged to be able to do."
An advertisement in the Eikestadnuus for a position as a messenger caught his attention and he handed in his CV. "There were about 40 candidates for the job. I was grateful when I made the shortlist of five. I then had to go and see Mr Volschenk who made the appointments. He said I had to start in the mailroom on Monday, 11 February."
During his time as a messenger, he also received training to make duplicates and photocopies. He had a soft spot for the Department of Philosophy and speaks with great warmth about professors such as Johan Degenaar, Anton van Niekerk and Willie Esterhuyse.
When a position became available at the SU Museum in the nineties, Adams saw an opportunity for change. "I wanted to feel what it's like to work in one place on campus. I first worked under Prof Muller Ballot and later Dr Lydia de Waal took over as senior director of the Museum. She was succeeded by Bongani Mgijima who became director in 2014."
A highlight of Adams' career was when he received a certificate for 25 years' service from the then Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Russel Botman, in 2010. "He was a good man. He had a vision for a better future; his HOPE project has made a big difference at SU. Prof Botman said he was very proud to be able to present my long-service certificate to me. It was a fantastic moment."
Adams is very grateful for the opportunities he has been given under Mgijima's leadership at the Museum. "Bongani made a big difference and looked after me. I will always treasure his support. I'm proud to do my part. When I'm asked to work after hours, I always say yes. I like to step in, I do it with love."
Over the years, Adams has noticed a change in students' attitudes toward campus workers. "In the old days, sometimes you had to have hair on your teeth. The youngsters are friendlier today than I when I started."
After four decades, Adams is still not tired of his work at the SU Museum. He enthusiastically recounts the meaningful art exhibitions he has experienced over the years – those of Maggie Laubser, Irma Stern, Solomon Caesar Malan, John Muafangejo, Willie Bester, William Kentridge and Christo Coetzee. He refers to collections such as those of the German Peter Freund and J du P Scholtz as favourites. Last year's exhibition to celebrate 30 years of democracy, An End to Waiting featuring photographs by Paul Weinberg, was another highlight for Adams.
When he retires in two years, his wife Christine and their three daughters will be grateful to see more of him at their home in Ida's Valley. But until then, you'll find him in the SU Museum's lobby welcoming visitors with a broad smile.
"I'm very happy here. When I think about where I was and where I am today, the hope and vision I had as a young man stood me in good stead," he says.
PHOTO: Stefan Els
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