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BONGI MKHIZE

ongi Mkhize is the chief executive officer of the vision of financial inclusion, financial literacy, and Bongi oversaw the development and revamping
Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund (NJMPF), financial freedom upon retirement for all South of the NJMPF website, which made it possible for
which is a retirement services provider for Africans especially the previously marginalised members to access micro financial services pertaining
B55 municipalities in ten municipal districts majority – regardless of one’s socio-economic to their retirement savings and financial futures
of KwaZulu-Natal. The NJMPF has a membership status, led Bongi to tirelessly innovate NJMPF’s online and without having to leave their homes.
base of 23 500 active members, approximately 9000 products and services and grow its brand visibility
pensioners and over 38 billion rands worth of assets across KZN. A CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY
under administration.
QUALITY SOLUTIONS To keep his team motivated, Bongi fosters a culture
From an early young age, Bongi has always broken of openness and transparency. “I believe in open
boundaries. Having grown up in Ndwedwe, a village As CEO, Bongi is driven by a clear purpose: “My communication, recognising achievements, and
outside Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, there were limited goal is to lead the team to administer the pension addressing challenges collaboratively. Transparency
educational resources and no role models in the area fund and provide top-notch retirement services is very important to me, and I ensure my team feels
to inspire him. Bongi took it upon himself to upskill that are cost-effective, ensuring our members can supported and valued in their efforts toward our
using the limited resources he had at his disposal and retire comfortably. We strive to continue providing shared goals.”
pursued a career in accounting. Fast-forward to the quality solutions that meet the unique needs of our
future, he is now an impactful figure not just as CEO stakeholders.” Bongi draws inspiration from his father, who taught
of NJMPF but in Ndwedwe. him the value of resilience and kindness, qualities
One of Bongi’s proudest achievements is leading he strives to embody in his own life. His faith and
Bongi holds a tertiary qualification in finance and a NJMPF. He notes, “Leading NJMPF is my proudest belief in NJMPF also drive him to continuously
postgraduate diploma in investment management moment because it’s a big organisation with pursue excellence and innovation.
and banking from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. a significant impact. Being the CEO of such an
His career began as a clerk at one of the leading organisation is incredibly rewarding, especially when Looking to the future, Bongi envisions a business
banks, where he gained valuable experience in we consistently receive clean audit reports from the environment in KwaZulu-Natal where financial literacy
customer service, a skill that has proven essential in Auditor-General and maintain the Fund’s legacy of and inclusion are prioritised. “We need to ensure that
applying Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles excellence in financial management and governance all stakeholders are financially empowered. Reducing
throughout his career. He then transitioned into for over two decades.” unemployment through targeted programmes and
an auditing role, which provided him with deep Further to financial literacy, Bongi contributed to other initiatives is also critical,” he says.
insights into the importance of governance and the fight against a challenge that most young South Bongi is particularly interested in how global
accountability within organisations.
Africans face, which is unemployment. He prepared economic changes and technological advancements
Driven by a desire to further his education, Bongi and submitted a paper to the NJMPF Board of will shape the future. He believes that innovations
completed his South African Institute of Chartered Trustees pleading them to approve his proposal for such as the modernisation of products and services
Accountants (SAICA) articles with the Office of the a 12-month internship programme where students through information technology will play a crucial
Auditor General, gaining extensive experience in that have recently attained their qualifications can be role in NJMPF’s continued success. “Using technology
auditing both provincial and national departments, afforded an opportunity to get workplace experience to lower fees is critical for a retirement funding
municipalities, and public entities. This foundation while also receiving a stipend. This proposal was service and its members. Finding innovative ways
set the stage for his future success. adopted by the Board and currently the NJMPF has to enhance and accelerate member participation in
appointed nine interns. When these contracts end, the retirement funding arrangement is important,”
Bongi joined the NJMPF over 15 years ago as a new graduates are being appointed. he explains.
finance manager. He worked his way up the ranks
and became chief financial officer, then deputy Bongi also introduced an initiative themed “NJMPF Bongi lives by the motto: “We have to create the
chief executive officer and finally chief executive Spirit of uBuntu” to celebrate the lives of community future we want rather than mourning the past we
officer in 2019. members that are not as fortunate as everyone else. could have had.” This reflects his proactive approach
When he launched this initiative, he celebrated a life to leadership and his commitment to shaping a
When Bongi took over as CEO, he committed to well lived for all NJMPF centenarians – Covid-19 survival better future for NJMPF and the broader community.
improving members’ financial literacy especially packs and hampers were prepared and personally His story serves as an inspiration for others to dream
having had first-hand experience of how financial hand delivered by his communications team. He also big, work hard, and never lose sight of their purpose
illiteracy contributed to some of the challenges his identified beneficiaries living with disabilities who as they strive to make a positive impact on the world
community faced when he was growing up. The collect a monthly pension from NJMPF. around them.
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