As the education and public programmes officer at the Stellenbosch University (SU) Museum, Ricky Brecht is well placed to create developmental opportunities for the youth.

In the month of Workers' Day, we feature some of our staff and their part in keeping the wheels turning at our institution. Brecht told us more about his work at the SU Museum.

What is your role at Stellenbosch University?

I joined SU in 2016 and, since then, have been responsible for the Access to Visual Arts programme, which is a flagship social impact project of the SU Museum. The programme broadens learners' access to the University museum and introduces them to visual arts. I am also responsible for organising specific museum education programmes for school learners from disadvantaged communities in the greater Stellenbosch area.

What does a typical day at work look like?

I am responsible for using museum resources to create educational programmes, and liaising with schools to arrange field trips to the museum. I also manage the museum's social media platforms and produce marketing collateral, in collaboration with the events coordinator. In addition, I oversee all communication with internal and external stakeholders. This includes preparing media releases and editing all outgoing museum communication, such as brochures and pamphlets.

How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this job?

I previously worked at two schools as well as the Amathole museum in King William's Town. The experience I gained there has equipped me with the skills to work with learners, educators and other individuals from different backgrounds. It also taught me how to be patient, keep to deadlines, deal with stressful situations, work as part of a team, and manage projects.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at Stellenbosch University?

I enjoy interacting with different stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, from schools to the general public, and staff and students of the different faculties of the University. I find this demanding, but also very rewarding. The museum also allows me to be creative and just be myself, while being part of a team where engagement and conversations are used to foster a sense of belonging.

The pandemic has changed the way we work and live. What keeps you motivated during these times?

The pandemic has had a huge impact on my work. Pre-COVID, I was responsible for organising and facilitating the museum's public programmes, including films screenings, talks, seminars, events and book launches. Since March 2020, however, everything has changed, forcing us to think of new ways to utilise the museum space to its full potential. Physical events have been replaced with virtual programmes, such as the Wednesday Art Talkabouts, Ubuntu Dialogues and Just Conversations. The African Drumming Tuesday initiative is the only in-person programme currently taking place at the museum, under strict COVID-19 protocols. Despite the impact of the pandemic, though, I remain optimistic that things will start normalising soon. Hopefully, the social and economic impact, stress and anxiety that the pandemic has brought will soon be a thing of the past, and we can face the future.

Tell us something about you that few people would expect/something exciting that few people know about you?

I am passionate about the development of the youth because they are the leaders of tomorrow. Not all children and students are top academic achievers, so more emphasis must be placed on other areas of their development, such as their entrepreneurial, computer and creative skills. These skills are important, as they can make the youth more employable and turn them into active global citizens. I am also a devoted family man and enjoy an occasional round of recreational golf with friends. Outdoor activities such as hiking are high on my priority list.