Sibongiseni Ngoma takes on the role of Deputy Auditor-General in South Africa

Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) head of auditing, Sibongiseni Ngoma, has been appointed as the Deputy Auditor-General (DAG) on a renewable five-year term with effect from Monday.

Ngoma, the second woman to be appointed to the position, was appointed by Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke after she concluded consultation with the Standing Committee on Auditor-General last Friday.

“We are very pleased to have a leader of Ms Ngoma’s calibre take this critical role in the year that we celebrate 115 years of public auditing and providing illuminating insights for a better South Africa,” Maluleke said.

She also said they were equally pleased to be appointing a candidate from the organisation, who has been part of the journey of implementing their ambitious culture shift 2030 strategy.

“I am confident that she is the right person to enable us to continue fulfilling our constitutional mandate. The AGSA has, for years, benefited from its internal talent pipeline, and it is no surprise that we have found a candidate from within our organisation,” said Maluleke.

Ngoma will replace former DAG, Vonani Chauke, who resigned in February, ahead of the end of his term of office in June.

Maluleke said Ngoma will be the national audit office’s accounting officer, responsible for operations in support of the A-G’s vision during her tenure.  

Ngoma, a chartered accountant, completed her training with Ernst and Young and then joined the Industrial Development Corporation, where she held various roles, including that of head of internal audit.

She served AGSA in various capacities since joining the national audit office in 2012 as a corporate executive responsible for various strategic units such as finance, human capital, and legal services.  

Ngoma was appointed as the CFO in 2015 and was honoured with the CFO of the Year and Public Sector CFO of the Year awards at the annual CFO Awards in 2021. 

She was also recognised by African Women Chartered Accountants as the public sector CFO of the year and by the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa as the 2021 Executive of the Year. 

Maluleke congratulated Ngoma on her appointment and wished her well with her new responsibilities.

“I believe that her wealth of knowledge and expertise will further reinforce our efforts to continue to respond effectively to the public expectations and carry out our constitutional mandate with more vigour and professionalism.

“I know every member of #TeamAGSA is fully behind her as she charts new ground that will keep the national audit office part of the nation-wide drive towards instilling a culture of performance, accountability, transparency and integrity,” she said.

Ngoma’s appointment followed the advertisement of the post in February, which was extended to March after one candidate met the prescribed minimum requirements. 

Maluleke told the standing committee on Friday that the services of external recruitment agencies were engaged, and a total of 15 applications were received, out of which two candidates were identified for interviews for this position.

She had said the six-member interview panel unanimously agreed on Ngoma to take the position.

Maluleke said in a report to the committee that no concerns, objections, or complaints have been raised by any of the applicants regarding the recruitment and selection process for the position.

“I am accordingly satisfied that the recruitment process was conducted fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with the applicable policies and procedures.”

She further said neither the verification processes nor the leadership competency assessment revealed any matters that would preclude or dissuade her from proceeding with Ngoma’s appointment to the position of DAG.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za