KOUGA – Kouga Local Municipality has announced the appointment of Bonga Mpongwana as its new Manager: Electrical Services, a role he takes on with over a decade of diverse experience in the energy sector and a vision to modernise and strengthen the municipality’s electricity network.
Mpongwana’s professional journey began in 2013, shortly after completing his in-service training with consulting engineers in East London. Since then, he has built 12 years of experience across both the private and public sectors, including roles at MBSA Consulting, the Department of Employment and Labour, state-owned entities PRASA and Transnet, and Ngqushwa Local Municipality.
Alongside his career, he has pursued extensive academic achievements. He holds a National Diploma and B. Tech in Electrical Engineering from Walter Sisulu University, a Master of Engineering from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Engineering at CPUT. He is also professionally registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineering Technologist and holds the highly regarded Government Certificate of Competency (GCC).
“Coming to Kouga Local Municipality felt like the right step,” says Mpongwana. “My qualifications and experience align with the unique challenges and opportunities within Kouga’s electrical network. I believe I can contribute meaningfully to strengthening service delivery for our residents and businesses.”
Inspired by problem-solving
Mpongwana’s passion for electricity and energy can be traced back to his school days at Mount Frere High School, where he excelled in Mathematics and Physical Science. Selected as one of his district’s top science students, he attended a Science Exhibition in Grahamstown that exposed him to engineering and career possibilities.
“What inspired me was the idea of solving complex problems in a field where you cannot see current or voltage, but you can imagine and work with it,” he explains. “Later, the challenges of load shedding and the emergence of renewable energy inspired me to specialise further in energy solutions.”
Priorities for Kouga
In his new role, Mpongwana will be responsible for overseeing technical operations, contractor management, site inspections, and compliance with policies and safety regulations.
Among his immediate priorities are:
• Rolling out renewable energy projects
• Driving loss-reduction strategies
• Implementing smart metering
• Strengthening occupational health and safety compliance
• Introducing preventative maintenance strategies.
Looking ahead, his five-year vision is to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for all Kouga residents, reduce reliance on Eskom, modernise infrastructure, and enhance efficiency in service delivery.
Upcoming projects include smart metering initiatives, small-scale embedded generation (SSEG), solar PV with battery storage, and the implementation of a SCADA system to improve monitoring and control.
Commitment to the community
For Mpongwana, community engagement is as important as technical innovation. He plans to launch awareness campaigns, strengthen partnerships with local stakeholders, and encourage residents and businesses to adopt energy-efficient practices.
“As Manager: Electrical Services, my commitment is to deliver reliable, sustainable, and equitable electricity to every household, business, and community,” he says. “Together, we will power a brighter, greener Kouga.”
A personal touch
Outside of work, Mpongwana enjoys watching action movies and football, proudly supporting Orlando Pirates and Manchester United. Colleagues describe him as a clear communicator, an inclusive leader, and an innovative problem-solver – qualities he is eager to bring to his leadership role at Kouga.
“The opportunity to serve Kouga excites me because it allows me to combine technical expertise with community engagement,” he concludes.
“This municipality is poised for growth, and I am proud to be part of shaping its energy future.”
