​The Deputy Director for Finance in the Group Corporate and Shared Services department, Petra Smit, has obtained an outstanding achievement in her academic career, a Doctoral degree in Business Administration from the University of the Free State Business School.

A karate and self-defence instructor, Petra manages the department’s procurement, assets, and financial compliance.

“I am so excited. I cannot thank my family and supervisors enough for their support during these past five years. It was hard and I had to put a lot of effort and dedication into my studies,” she says.

The 58-year-old Petra believes everyone can reach their fullest potential if they allow people in their space to help and support them when they are faced with obstacles along the way. She says Covid-19 did not affect her studies as she geared up to work from home and even found that with less commuting to work, she had more time to focus on other important things around her Krugersdorp home in Mogale City.

Petra started working for the City as a temp in Development Planning, working with SIMS capital projects and planning finance before being appointed as an Operations Manager in Revenue Accounting, where she established the department. She then moved to Joshco, where she was the Senior Bookkeeper and, after its restructuring, became its Financial Manager before being appointed to her current position, Deputy Director for Finance within Group Corporate and Shared Services.

Petra went to Krugersdorp Primary School and matriculated at Jan de Klerk High School in 1980. After completing high school, she went to Lyceum College, then Wits Business School, and then the University of Johannesburg, before heading to the University of the Free State, where she recently obtained her doctorate.

Petra is a married mother of three children and grandmother of one. She boasts gold and silver (2) karate medals from the European Championships, where she competed during the early stages of Covid-19. She likes sports shooting, hunting for sustenance with a bow and going metal detecting to find old historical relics she donates to museums. Petra also enjoys painting and sketching.

She hopes the City can recognise her knowledge and accomplishments, and provide her with opportunities that will allow her to add more value to her work.

“Believe in yourself, never give up and never say ‘I can not’. Success results from standing up after falling. Dedication and commitment are key to personal achievement. You are all stars,” she says.