Pati Kgomo has a fiercely pragmatic streak. As the CEO of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) – which provides technical and strategic support to municipalities in South Africa on infrastructure development and service delivery – Kgomo understands the value of policy debates in national spheres of government, but she believes that it’s at the local level that the most immediate and tangible improvements can be made in people’s everyday lives – and the economy as a whole.
“I’m something of a development activist,” she says. “One of South Africa’s biggest challenges is leaders who look at the bigger picture, while not taking care of the basics. So while I'm not saying we must let go of all the rules, we do have to look at reviewing some of the systems and regulations. Because to a large extent the legislative environment is causing a lot of bureaucracy and red tape. It’s important for national government to set up the legislative framework and do the overall oversight and monitoring, but it’s the municipalities that are really doing the heavy lifting, getting their hands dirty, and responsible for real implementation.”
According to Kgomo, a city manager has five primary responsibilities: sanitation, waste, water, electricity, and roads. “If you can take care of these, everything else will fall into place and grow and progress. And when the [municipal] bill comes at the end of the month, people will not hesitate to pay for these services. And then you can use that money to improve and grow a city. It’s not rocket science,” she laughs.
At the same time, Kgomo is committed to the principles of sustainability and inclusivity – principles which were inculcated during her time studying an MCom in Development Finance at the UCT GSB.
“When MISA supports municipalities to plan for projects, we take SDGs [sustainable development goals] seriously. We insist on being cognizant of the environment, and of the local communities. And for me that’s thanks to the values of the GSB.”
Climbing the ranks: from cashier to crusader
Kgomo was born in the town of Mahikeng in the Northwest Province, and attributes her work ethic and hunger for education to her grandmother's strict yet nurturing influence. Kgomo's academic journey began studying commerce at Northwest University, where she majored in industrial psychology and management – a “steep learning curve” transitioning from her high school focus on biology and geography. However, her determination saw her earning an Honours degree in management studies.
Her professional career started modestly as a cashier at Woolworths, a role she took to gain exposure to the working world, but she soon secured a full-time position at the Department of Economic Development in the Northwest Province, focusing on trade, industry, and manufacturing, before moving to the Department of Local Government and Housing.
“That's where my passion for local government and municipalities started,” says Kgomo, “because I was responsible for guiding municipalities on local economic development strategies, and I saw how growing the local economy can ultimately contribute towards the country's economy and GDP.”
Over a span of 13 years, Kgomo rose through the department’s ranks, eventually becoming the Executive Manager responsible for local government support. Her tenure was marked by significant initiatives. She pioneered the Artisan Development Project, which aimed at equipping TVET college graduates with practical skills in various trades, and placing them in specific municipal roles, benefiting both the municipalities and the learners.
In 2015, seeking new challenges and growth, Kgomo joined the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), marking a significant shift in her career. Here, she managed the City Support Program – a role that exposed her to a corporate environment, taught her about public-private collaboration, and informed her professional philosophy of infrastructure and development finance. Kgomo held several positions at the DBSA, and by the time she left she was responsible for business development and stakeholder management for a division called Infrastructure Delivery Division at the bank.
“Throughout my working life, I've been involved in the local government space,” she says. “It seems like there’s something that's always drawing me to municipalities, as challenged as they are. You may have your own views about the state of municipalities, but it's really a fulfilling space for me, because that's where you get to see the fruits of your efforts. If there's a community that hasn't had access to water for years, and you help the municipalities to complete a water project, and you watch the community open a tap… for me it's so fulfilling.”
Academic pursuits: MCom in Development Finance at the UCT GSB
Kgomo's thirst for knowledge led her to the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB), where she pursued a Master's in Development Finance in 2018. Encouraged by colleagues and mentors, she took on this academic challenge, despite having been out of a classroom setting for nearly two decades. The programme was rigorous, but after some adjustments Kgomo thrived, absorbing new concepts and gaining valuable insights into sustainable development, responsible investment, and project finance.
“I was one of the oldest people in the class,” she says. “There was one student who was the same age as my firstborn daughter! But I was so impressed by how smart those kids were in class. It was so refreshing to see how smart how engaging, how outspoken they were. I remember thinking: I wish I had this opportunity when I was younger. I found this new way of learning to be so different from what I was used to. It really opened me up to so much and I absorbed and learned such a lot from this degree.”
Her experience at UCT GSB was transformative, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and the lived experience of her classmates. The inclusive and engaging teaching style, coupled with a supportive peer network, enriched her learning experience.
“[The students] formed these networks of learning,” she says. “You don't just sit there alone, struggling with a concept. Because we've all been exposed to working environments. We've all done degrees and postgraduate degrees. So there's a level of maturity and learning both together and from others that I really appreciated.
“I remember a case study that we did on Sibanye-Stillwater – the local mining house where people died in Marikana. We actually went to meet the former CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater. And it was one of the best moments of learning for me, because he was telling us as a CEO of a big mine, about having to balance making a profit with taking care of the community and their social needs, and taking care of the environment. So it was a very interesting era for me because I got to be exposed to a lot of these concepts.”
Each one, teach one: developing for the future
Kgomo's career and academic experiences have shaped her professional philosophy, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development, innovation, and practical impact. Her roles in various governmental and financial institutions have been driven by a commitment to improving local economies, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering inclusive growth. She believes in the potential of development finance to drive positive change and is passionate about equipping others with the knowledge and tools to contribute to this field. And the MCom continues to add value to her career: “When I started a new job [after the MCom in January 2020] at MISA, I would refer back to my notes and my course modules, especially the International Financing for Development module. Because we do a lot of engagement with international entities such as the EU, USAID [United States Agency for International Development], and a lot of DFIs [development finance institutions]. So this course, really exposed me to a lot in the development space.”
As the CEO of MISA, Kgomo is encouraging her colleagues to pursue an MCom in Development Finance at the GSB: “I tell them: look, in this environment within which we operate, we really have to get more knowledge and insight about development finance, both locally and internationally. Because we have to know what's happening, we have to know what the trends are. We have to know where the funds are for infrastructure development in the municipal space.
