Melikhaya Ngcongo, the mayor of Richmond, has added a new academic achievement to his leadership journey, graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management Studies from the University of Pretoria. For Ngcongo, the milestone is not only a personal accomplishment but a commitment to improving service delivery in the Richmond Municipality. “It’s a promise I made to myself and to our residents that I will never stop improving so I can serve better,” he said.
He added that his academic journey also carries a broader message about the importance of lifelong learning and that graduating has reinforced a simple truth: education has no age limit, and leadership in public office must be shaped by continuous learning. He said his journey also sends a message to young people that education and leadership can coexist at any stage of life. Ngcongo explained that his decision to study was influenced by the practical demands of local government.
With a background in social work and nine years’ experience in the Department of Social Development, he said he initially found the technical aspects of municipal systems challenging. “The council reports are not very easy to read with insight,” he said. The diploma equipped him with skills in governance, public finance, policy, human resources and project management, which he now applies in his day-to-day responsibilities. Balancing his studies with the demands of the office required discipline, he said, often working extended periods without rest.
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