Kaloli Tsekoa
Centurion
Summary
Development Financier and Senior Manager with over 20 years of experience in fund development, infrastructure delivery, project, programme & portfolio management and SME financing. Proven track record in business development, due diligence, investment structuring, writing, disbursements and risk management, successfully securing funding for growth national initiatives. Expertise in building strategic partnerships with government agencies, DFIs and private investors to mobilize blended finance for sustainable investments. Recognized for delivering policy-aligned programs that drive socio-economic transformation and enable inclusive economic growth in South Africa.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director and Consultant
Oakset (Pty) Ltd
Centurion
12.2023 - Current
- Consulting and Advisory work for small businesses and corporates.
- Lead strategic initiatives, stakeholder engagement and relationship management for small businesses and corporate clients.
- Raise capital for infrastructure projects, optimizing funding structures and investor outreach.
- Advise corporates on capital raising strategies for equity, debt and acquisitions projects.
- Served as lead consultant on carbon sequestration and credits for blockchain tokenization project.
- Develop comprehensive business plans, proposals and compliance documentation including operational frameworks and policies.
- Package funding proposals and provide advisory support to startups and SMEs.
- Coach and mentor entrepreneurs, enhancing business growth and sustainability.
- Reason for wanting to leave – main contract did not go through
Act. Head of Division: SME Wholesale Lending
Small Enterprise Finance Agency Ltd (sefa)
Centurion
05.2023 - 11.2023
- Directed a multidisciplinary team of Investment Principals, Financial Analysts and Programme Specialists, reporting to Executive and Board.
- Ensured divisional performance, capacity and capability in people, processes, product development, budgeting and financial management.
- Spearheaded strategic initiatives and stakeholder engagement with government and private sector partners (PPPs).
- Mobilized financial and non-financial resources to support wholesale lending activities.
- Managed compliance and governance of business processes and financial controls.
- Led fund development and ministerial programme management aligned with sefa’s strategic priorities.
- Presented high-quality investment proposals to committees and board for approval.
- Developed and implemented the sefa participation framework to advance SMME development nationally.
- Directed turnaround strategies for underperforming investments.
- Served as a member in the SME Credit Committee to consider Direct Lending transactions from regions.
- Acted (per Delegation of Authority) on behalf of Executive SME Wholesale Lending from time to time.
- Reason for leaving – pursue a private business
Manager: SMME’s and Co-operatives Development
Small Enterprise Finance Agency Ltd (sefa)
Centurion
08.2017 - 04.2023
- Managed fund development, including ministerial programmes, to support SMMEs and cooperatives.
- Led strategic partnerships and initiatives with government departments, agencies, private sector and NGOs.
- Supported sefa executive and DSBD DG on reporting to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperatives.
- Assessed transaction viability and conducted financial due diligence for project proposals.
- Implemented sefa participation framework to boost SMME and cooperative growth.
- Oversaw portfolio management aligning projects with organizational strategies.
- Analyzed financial reports and recommended disbursements based on milestones.
- Executed turnaround plans for underperforming projects.
- Reason for leaving – Offered increased responsibilities
Program Advisor and Manager
Development Bank of Southern Africa
Midrand
10.2013 - 08.2017
- Planned and provided technical advisory support for municipal infrastructure projects funded by DBSA and government.
- Coordinated project teams, clients, municipalities, government departments and key stakeholders.
- Delivered technical input to finance teams on bids, project financing options and readiness assessments.
- Supported infrastructure planning, project preparation and resource mobilization.
- Developed project pipelines and facilitated crowding-in of public and private resources.
- Managed stakeholder relationships, risk assessment, monitoring and reporting.
- Leveraged strategic partnerships to fulfill DBSA mandates.
- Reason for leaving – career development
Investment Officer: The Jobs Fund
Development Bank of Southern Africa
Midrand
10.2011 - 09.2013
- Contributed to the launching and implementation of the Jobs Fund (R9 billion) for job creation projects.
- Originated and managed business development and project structuring activities.
- Conducted comprehensive project due diligence across institutional, financial, risk and legal dimensions.
- Negotiated funding models, client partnerships and drafted grant agreements and contracts.
- Presented funding proposals to Investment Committees for approval.
- Coordinated budgets, disbursements and monitoring and evaluation plans.
- Successfully originated and managed legacy projects including Mercedes Benz SA 3rd Shift Programme.
- Reason for leaving – programme moved to National Treasury
Technical Deployee: Siyenza Manje Programme
Development Bank of Southern Africa
Western and Northern Cape Provinces
10.2008 - 09.2011
- Managed and administered the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) financials and project coordination.
- Ensured compliance with relevant legislation, policies and project conditions.
- Conducted project performance and cash flow reviews; liaised with provincial and government departments.
- Managed the Project Management Unit (PMU) office, cash flows and committed expenditure.
- Delivered technical support (feasibility studies, planning, designs and implementation through site supervisions) aligned with municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and growth strategies.
- Oversaw labour-intensive projects under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) framework.
- Prepared reports for the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) and National MIG Unit.
- Supported maintenance planning, professional services procurement and sector/master plan updates.
- The Siyenza Manje Programme objective was to assist ‘low capacity municipalities’ (Tier 2 and 3) with technical capacity building.
- Reason for leaving – new opportunity to start a fund (The Jobs Fund)
Head of Group (Estates & Security Maintenance)
Eskom Holdings
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Cape Town
12.2007 - 09.2008
- Duties consisted of management of the group financials, operations, staffing, development, performance, conduct, etc.
- Liaison with both internal and external parties on various issues including outsourcing projects, contracts negotiations; sourcing of suppliers, etc.
- Directed financial, operational, staffing and performance management for the Estates and Security group.
- Negotiated outsourcing contracts and sourced suppliers for telecommunications and security systems.
- Managed telecommunications infrastructure including phones, pagers, public address, CCTV, access control, X-ray and fire detection systems.
- Oversaw estates maintenance including electrical, mechanical equipment, fire doors, fencing and site pump systems.
- Supervised civil works and dredging for building maintenance and sea sand prevention in pump intake.
- Led award-winning decontamination workshop operations for nuclear plant equipment.
- Reason for leaving – health reasons
Office & Programme Manager
Makhetha Development Consultants (Pty)Ltd
Cape Town
09.2005 - 11.2007
- Managed office operations, staff and financial viability of Western Cape regional office.
- Established and maintained relations with clients and statutory bodies.
- Managed National Bucket Eradication Programme cluster, providing sanitation technical support to municipalities.
- Managed transport infrastructure projects including road upgrading, re-gravelling and environmental compliance.
- Conducted rural sanitation backlog study, liaising with stakeholders and reporting on municipal sanitation planning.
- Reason for leaving – offered a challenging career opportunity
Engineering Technologist
Jeffares & Green and Kwezi V3 Engineers
Cape Town
12.2000 - 08.2005
- Performed feasibility studies, preliminary and detailed design for civil engineering projects.
- Developed cost estimates, project specifications and contract documentation.
- Supervised site works and conducted contract administration.
- Delivered infrastructure projects in water, sanitation, roads, stormwater, communications and electricity for township and private developments.
- All the above were in the new infrastructure or upgrades in water, sanitation/sewer, roads & storm water, communications and electricity for township developments and private developments.
- Projects ranged from provincial roads, parking bays, private access roads, traffic circles, landfill sites, taxi facilities and flood relief programmes.
- These are multi-disciplinary Engineering Consultants which provided professional engineering services to a wide variety of clients from government to private sector.
- Reason for leaving – offered a management role
Inspector of Works and Site Technician
Highlands Water Venture & Lesotho Highlands Consultants
Katse, Lesotho
06.1994 - 12.1996
- Performed earthworks volume calculations and airstrip surveys.
- Conducted soils and concrete testing; controlled water flows and concrete temperatures on dam construction.
- Updated construction schedules and reports; supervised formwork, reinforcement and concrete placement ensuring compliance.
- Reason for leaving – further studies
Education
Bachelor of Engineering: Urban Engineering - Civil
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa01.2001
National Diploma - Civil Engineering
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa01.1999
Diploma - Civil Engineering
Lerotholi Polytechnic
Maseru, Lesotho01.1994
Skills
- Project, Programme & Portfolio Management
- Proposal writing
- Operational frameworks
- SMEs & Co-ops Lending/Financing
- Fund Development & Management
- Transaction Structuring & Advisory
- Capital Raising/Mobilization
- Stakeholder & Partnerships Engagement
- Strategic Planning & Implementation
- Investment Strategies & Management
- Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Negotiation & Communication
- Infrastructure Development
- Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Strategic planning
- Business development
Certification
- Executive Diploma - Business Management and Administration, MTF Institute, 2025-01-01
- Conflict of Interest & Consequence Management, Nexus Training Academy, South Africa, 2023-01-01
- Effective Stakeholder Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 2018-01-01
- Building Effective Partnerships, The Partnership Initiative, South Africa, 2015-01-01
- Expert Negotiator, Gordon Institute of Business Science, South Africa, 2015-01-01
Accomplishments
- Performance Recognition Certificate, Siyenza Manje Programme, DBSA, 2009-01-01
- Author, Africa reMINDed, 2022-01-01
- Radio Feature, Radio 2000 – Tips for Small Businesses, 2019-02-01
- TV Feature, Newsroom Africa – Prosperity Through Self-awareness & Mindset, 2019-05-01
- Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Mentor, 2020-01-01, oakSET (Pty) Ltd.
- Article Feature, Selibeng.com, 2022-11-01
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
linkedin.com/in/Kaloli-tsekoa-6574ba43
References
- Small Enterprise Finance Agency, Lwandiso Makupula, Executive: Wholesale Lending - sefa, +27 82 884 8071, lwandisom@sefa.org.za
- Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), Mapatane Kgomo, Chief Executive Officer, +27 82 415 9825, pati.kgomo@misa.gov.za
- Development Bank of Southern Africa, Eduzie Ifezulike, Senior Project Advisor, +27 11 313 3911 OR +27 83 306 9832, eduziei@dbsa.org
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Sesotho
Proficient
C2
isiXhosa
Intermediate
B1
isiZulu
Intermediate
B1
Interests
- Digital products development
- Writing
- Speaking & Coaching
- Physical Exercise
- Sport (Soccer, Formula 1 & Mixed Martial Arts)
Disclaimer
I hereby declare that the details furnished above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I undertake to inform you of any changes or amendments as and when they arise., Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, 2026-01-01
Timeline
Director and Consultant
Oakset (Pty) Ltd
12.2023 - Current
Act. Head of Division: SME Wholesale Lending
Small Enterprise Finance Agency Ltd (sefa)
05.2023 - 11.2023
Manager: SMME’s and Co-operatives Development
Small Enterprise Finance Agency Ltd (sefa)
08.2017 - 04.2023
Program Advisor and Manager
Development Bank of Southern Africa
10.2013 - 08.2017
Investment Officer: The Jobs Fund
Development Bank of Southern Africa
10.2011 - 09.2013
Technical Deployee: Siyenza Manje Programme
Development Bank of Southern Africa
10.2008 - 09.2011
Head of Group (Estates & Security Maintenance)
Eskom Holdings
12.2007 - 09.2008
Office & Programme Manager
Makhetha Development Consultants (Pty)Ltd
09.2005 - 11.2007
Engineering Technologist
Jeffares & Green and Kwezi V3 Engineers
12.2000 - 08.2005
Inspector of Works and Site Technician
Highlands Water Venture & Lesotho Highlands Consultants
06.1994 - 12.1996
Bachelor of Engineering: Urban Engineering - Civil
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
National Diploma - Civil Engineering
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Diploma - Civil Engineering
Lerotholi Polytechnic