Brümilda Swartbooi
Bold, fearless, and a pioneer of note, Bongi Mokaba is retiring after 28 years of trailblazing service in the City of Johannesburg. Over the course of almost three decades of dedicated service the City’s Director of Event management has made an indelible mark and earned every stride along the way.
Today, Friday 29 November 2024, she officially retires after 28 years of service.
Sitting for an interview at the Modderfontein Golf Course, where she seems completely at ease, Mokaba shares reflections on her career. Dressed in a vibrant green dress, she greets passers-by warmly, her presence exuding the charisma of someone who has spent a lifetime building relationships.
“It’s been a journey with highlights and low moments. I’m grateful because the City gave me the opportunity to diversify,” she says, her tone filled with gratitude and pride.
Transforming Libraries and Communities
Mokaba’s journey began in the 90s when she joined the Eastern Metropolitan Local Council in 1996. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, an Advance University Diploma in Library Science from the University of Natal Pietermaritzburg campus and an Honours Degree in Library and information Science from the University of Pretoria. She was appointed Executive Officer for Library and Information Services and Arts and Culture, overseeing 17 libraries.
At the time, Johannesburg was divided into five metropolitan councils. Following the amalgamation into a unified City in the early 2000s, Mokaba was tasked with transforming and integrating 78 libraries into a cohesive system.
“I wasn’t afraid to speak my mind for the benefit of libraries,” she recalls. Her bold approach ushered in sweeping changes, including centralising Bibliographic services, the distribution of books at Johannesburg Library and implementing a system that allowed citywide book lending. She further ensured that black qualified librarians were appointed at managerial positions and were given opportunities to run and manage libraries.
Her leadership extended to the establishment of community libraries and recreational facilities. Among her achievements were the new Westbury Library and Hall, Orlando Communal Hall, a library in Diepsloot, and a swimming pool in Orange Farm — projects she boldly advocated for and two of which she directly secured funding from the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Building City’s Events Unit
Mokaba’s love for organising and managing events grew stronger during her student days at the University of Natal where through the Black Students Society (BSS) SANSCO now (SASCO) she led in organising concerts and brought performers to the university, the like of Khaya Mahlangu, the late Sipho Gumbe’s Sakhile, and the late Jabu Khanyile’s Bayete under the banner of Sounds of Africa.
Through her father’s assistance she met the late Chris Hani and was able to negotiate his coming to address the university students on a number of areas that student activist battled with. This was the first university that Chris Hani visited.
Mokaba’s success in libraries and social development laid the foundation for her next challenge, establishing the City’s Events Management Unit. Starting with just herself and a secretary, Mokaba built the unit from scratch, creating a dynamic team that now manages a host of world-class events.
One of her early milestones was coordinating on behalf the city the 2003 Cricket World Cup where she worked closely with Dr Ali Bacher. This was followed by her coordinating Johannesburg’s bid documents for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, ensuring the City’s bid was detailed in securing Johannesburg a spot in hosting this prestigious event. Her work also extended to other major international sporting events.
In the early 2000s, Mokaba established the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) to oversee event safety and compliance. “Since JOC’s inception, Johannesburg has avoided disastrous events through thorough guidelines, protocols and inspections,” she says.
Her ability to lead in crises shone during the 2023 Bree Street (Lillian Ngoyi) explosion. As Acting Group Head of Communications and Marketing, Mokaba centralised communications, ensuring seamless coordination during a challenging period. A feat which earned the city accolades from the media.
The Events Unit, under her leadership, has also hosted notable events like the Soweto Marathon, Joy of Jazz, 702 Walk, Ride Joburg and Red Bull Showrun. Partnering with organisations like Estée Lauder to illuminating the Nelson Mandela Bridge pink for breast cancer awareness and blue in support of Autism, these are other highlights of her impactful career.
“Where the City spends money, there must be value for money,” she emphasises. “My aim has always been to empower and educate young people.”
Healing through Golf
Golf entered Mokaba’s life in 2000 as a form of healing after the loss of her brother and sister within three months. At the suggestion of her family doctor, she took lessons at the World of Golf, and the sport became a cornerstone of her life.
Being familiar with the sport she played a central role in establishing the City’s two biggest international golf events, Joburg Open and Joburg Ladies Open. The latter has become the second co-sanctioned women’s tournament in South Africa, attracting elite golfers and boosting the City’s investment potential.
Beyond the City, Mokaba’s contributions to golf include voluntary roles with the Central Gauteng Golf Union and the transformation committee of the Sunshine Tour. She also managed the Soweto Country Club and ensure to its revamp and upgrade working closely with the Sunshine Tour and now serves on the board. She is the ladies Vice Captain at the Club Committee at Modderfontein Golf Club and also serves in the main committee club, where she made history as the first woman elected to the position.
Roots of Activism
Mokaba’s pioneering spirit stems from her upbringing in Tembisa on the East Rand (now Ekurhuleni). Raised alongside her three siblings by progressive, educated parents, she was instilled with a sense of justice and ambition. Her mother, Catherine Nombe, was a nurse and later Senior Manager at the Tembisa Hospital, and her father, Warren Zolile Nombe, was a medical doctor involved in the underground structures of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the then banned ANC’s military wing.
“Our political awareness began at home,” she explains. Her father’s activism and her mother religious grounding provided a balance that shaped their upbringing.
As a young activist, Mokaba’s resolve was tested when she was expelled from the University of the North (Turfloop), where she met her late husband Peter Mokaba who had just been released from Robben Island, for refusing to betray her comrades. Undeterred, she continued her studies and activism at the University of Natal, cementing her commitment to justice.
“Our parents urged us to create our own legacies, and not bask in the glory of their achievements, and that’s why I’ve dared to do everything I’ve done, I have always said Sizenza zonke” she says.
Leaving a Legacy
In her retirement, Mokaba plans to travel, play golf, and support her daughter, Nomzamo—affectionately called Zami — in growing her business, Mokaba Signatures Events. Their close mother-daughter bond is a source of pride.
“I retire comfortably knowing I’ve left a footprint in the City of Johannesburg. I’ve contributed to building communities, forged relationships across industries, and stayed true to the values my parents instilled in me,” she reflects.
As she concludes the interview she smiles. The City bids farewell to a pioneer who dared to dream big and achieved even bigger.
SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG WEBSITE.
