Rory Steyn

Guest Speaker Rory Steyn is an internationally experienced security specialist, conference speaker and former South African police officer whose extraordinary career has taken him from policing during the apartheid era to leading the personal protection team of President Nelson Mandela.

Rory holds a National Diploma in Police Administration and, during his career with the South African Police Service, specialised as an investigator, intelligence field-worker and section head of the VIP Protection and Bomb Disposal Units in Johannesburg. In 1996, he was transferred to the Pretoria-based Presidential Protection Unit and appointed team leader of President Mandela’s personal protection team, responsible for protecting the President nationally and internationally. He retired from the police service in 1999 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

His experience working closely with Mandela during a pivotal period in South Africa’s history provides the foundation for powerful stories and insights into leadership, reconciliation, trust, responsibility and purpose. Rory brings a unique perspective on the transformation from an apartheid-era law enforcer to the protector of one of the world’s most respected leaders.

After leaving the police service, Rory co-founded NSA Global Security Consultants, which became a major executive protection company serving Fortune 500 and blue-chip organisations. His international security experience includes work across some of the world’s largest sporting events.

Rory has served on the Security Directorate of multiple ICC Cricket World Cups and chaired the Security Directorates of the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. He has also worked at six Olympic Games across both summer and winter editions: Athens, Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver and PyeongChang. His experience further includes the Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, FIFA World Cups in South Africa and Brazil, and consulting on the successful Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bid.

A respected and sought-after conference speaker, Rory combines first-hand experiences from Mandela’s presidency and international security operations with reflections on leadership, decision-making, resilience and performing under pressure. His talks can be tailored for keynote addresses, motivational seminars, after-dinner engagements and workshops.

Rory is also an accomplished endurance athlete and philanthropist. He has completed 12 Comrades Marathons, earning his Green Number, and has run marathons on all seven continents, including the Antarctic Marathon. He also completed the Ironman in Port Elizabeth in 2013.

In 2018, Rory founded The African Icons Invitational, a charity cycling event supporting the children of police officers killed in the line of duty. The initiative continues to raise funds for affected families.

Rory is regularly interviewed by South African media on security and policing matters and also hosts the BizNews Rugby YouTube series, where he interviews prominent figures from the world of rugby.

Rory currently serves on the boards of:

• NSA Global Security Consultants (Pty) Ltd
• The African Icons Invitational NPC
• The Comrades Marathon Association
• The National Policing Institute (USA)

Rory Steyn’s sessions are particularly well suited to:

• Corporate conferences and leadership events
• Executive and senior management audiences
• Security, risk and crisis management events
• Organisations navigating high-pressure environments
• Motivational and resilience-focused conferences
• After-dinner and storytelling engagements
• International conferences and sporting events

Book Guest Speaker Rory Steyn on 067 843 2362 or email directly to info@guestspeaker.co.za