# Parks Tau > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Parks_Tau > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Parks_Tau.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parks_Tau > Source revision: 1347047771 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|South African politician}} {{Use South African English|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_suffix = [MP](/source/Member_of_parliament) | image = (Parks Tau) Cohesión social, desarrollo económico y educación emocional, nuevas reglas para la convivencia en las ciudades.jpg | alt = | caption = Tau in November 2018 | office = [Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition](/source/Department_of_Trade%2C_Industry_and_Competition) | alongside = | minister = | term_start = 3 July 2024 | predecessor = [Ebrahim Patel](/source/Ebrahim_Patel) | successor = | office1 = [Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs](/source/Department_of_Cooperative_Governance_and_Traditional_Affairs) | alongside1 = [Zolile Burns-Ncamashe](/source/Zolile_Burns-Ncamashe) | minister1 = [Thembi Nkadimeng](/source/Thembi_Nkadimeng) | term_start1 = 7 March 2023 | term_end1 = 19 June 2024 | predecessor1 = Thembi Nkadimeng | successor1 = [Dickson Masemola](/source/Dickson_Masemola) | minister2 = [Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma](/source/Nkosazana_Dlamini-Zuma) | alongside2 = [Obed Bapela](/source/Obed_Bapela) | term_start2 = 29 May 2019 | term_end2 = 9 December 2020 | predecessor2 = [Andries Nel](/source/Andries_Nel) | successor2 = Thembi Nkadimeng | office5 = [Member of the Gauteng Executive Council for Economic Development](/source/Executive_Council_(South_Africa)) | premier5 = [David Makhura](/source/David_Makhura) | term_start5 = 9 December 2020 | term_end5 = 6 October 2022 | predecessor5 = [Morakane Mosupyoe](/source/Morakane_Mosupyoe) | successor5 = [Tasneem Motara](/source/Tasneem_Motara) | office6 = [Mayor of Johannesburg](/source/Mayor_of_Johannesburg) | term_start6 = 26 May 2011 | term_end6 = 22 August 2016 | predecessor6 = [Amos Masondo](/source/Amos_Masondo) | successor6 = [Herman Mashaba](/source/Herman_Mashaba) | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|06|06|df=yes}} | birth_place = [Orlando West](/source/Orlando_West), [Soweto](/source/Soweto)
[Transvaal](/source/Transvaal_Province), [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) | death_date = | death_place = | birth_name = Mpho Parks Franklyn Tau | party = [African National Congress](/source/African_National_Congress) | spouse = Pilisiwe Twala-Tau | partner = | relations = | alma_mater = [University of London](/source/University_of_London) | occupation = | profession = | cabinet = | committees = | portfolio = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | footnotes = | president = [Cyril Ramaphosa](/source/Cyril_Ramaphosa) | deputy = {{plainlist| *[Zuko Godlimpi](/source/Zuko_Godlimpi) (3 July 2024-) *[Andrew Whitfield](/source/Andrew_Whitfield_(politician))}} (3 July 2024 – 26 June 2025), [Alexandra Abrahams](/source/Alexandra_Abrahams) (17 Nov 2025-) | president1 = Cyril Ramaphosa | president2 = Cyril Ramaphosa | honorific_prefix = [The Honourable](/source/The_Honourable) }} '''Mpho Parks Franklyn Tau''' (born 1970) is a South African politician from [Gauteng](/source/Gauteng). He has been the [Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition](/source/Minister_of_Trade%2C_Industry_and_Competition) since July 2024. A member of the [African National Congress](/source/African_National_Congress) (ANC), he was the second post-apartheid [Mayor of Johannesburg](/source/Mayor_of_Johannesburg) between 2011 and 2016. Born and raised in [Soweto](/source/Soweto), Tau joined the [City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Council](/source/City_of_Johannesburg_Metropolitan_Municipality) upon its inception in December 2000 and represented the ANC as a councillor until May 2019. He was elected as mayor in the [May 2011 local elections](/source/2011_South_African_municipal_elections) but served only one term: though some observers admired Tau's technocratic policies, the ANC lost its electoral majority in the city in the [August 2016 local elections](/source/2016_South_African_municipal_elections). Tau remained in the council on the opposition benches for three years thereafter, serving as leader of the ANC caucus as well as leader of both the [South African Local Government Association](/source/South_African_Local_Government_Association) and [United Cities and Local Governments](/source/United_Cities_and_Local_Governments). After the [May 2019 general election](/source/2019_South_African_general_election), Tau joined the national executive as [Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs](/source/Minister_of_Cooperative_Governance_and_Traditional_Affairs). He served two non-consecutive stints in that office, from May 2019 to December 2020 and later from March 2023 to June 2024; in the interim, he served in the [Gauteng Executive Council](/source/Gauteng_Executive_Council) as provincial minister for economic development under Premier [David Makhura](/source/David_Makhura). He was elevated to his current ministerial portfolio after the [May 2024 general election](/source/2024_South_African_general_election). In December 2022, Tau was elected to a five-year term as a member of the ANC's [National Executive Committee](/source/National_Executive_Committee_of_the_African_National_Congress). He formerly served in party leadership positions at both the local and provincial levels, notably as party chairman in Johannesburg between 2011 and 2018 and then as [provincial treasurer](/source/Provincial_Executive_Committees_of_the_African_National_Congress) in Gauteng between 2018 and 2022. ==Early life and education== Tau was born on 6 June 1970{{Cite web |date=10 April 2024 |title=Final Candidate Lists for 2024 National and Provincial Elections: National Candidates |url=https://www.elections.org.za/pw/Documents/Candidates-List-NPE2024/National%20Candidates%20List.pdf |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Electoral Commission of South Africa}} in the [Orlando West](/source/Orlando_West) neighbourhood of [Soweto](/source/Soweto), where he grew up.{{Cite web |last=Tau |first=Poloko |date=10 May 2015 |title='Billing crisis is under control' – Parks Tau |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/billing-crisis-is-under-control-parks-tau-20150510 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} A teenager during the last decade of [apartheid](/source/apartheid), he became involved in political activism as a high school student at Pace Commercial College in Soweto, where he was president of the student representative council.{{Cite web |last=Nicolson |first=Greg |date=2016-08-01 |title=Parks Tau, the mayor who grew into his role |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-08-01-interview-parks-tau-the-mayor-who-grew-into-his-role/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}} He became president of the [Soweto Youth Congress](/source/South_African_Youth_Congress) in 1989 and was also active in the [Congress of South African Students](/source/Congress_of_South_African_Students) and [African National Congress](/source/African_National_Congress) (ANC) [Youth League](/source/ANC_Youth_League).{{Cite web |title=Profile of MEC Parks Tau |url=https://www.ggb.org.za/mec/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921143217/https://www.ggb.org.za/mec/ |archive-date=2021-09-21 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Gauteng Gambling Board |language=en-US}} Later in his life, Tau studied public management at [Regenesys Business School](/source/Regenesys_Business_School), and he holds a master's degree in public policy and management from the [University of London](/source/University_of_London).{{Cite web |title=Minister Parks Tau |url=https://www.thedtic.gov.za/minister/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Department of Trade Industry and Competition}} == Local government == Tau became regional secretary of the [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg) branch of the governing ANC in 1994, shortly after the onset of the [post-apartheid transition](/source/Negotiations_to_end_apartheid_in_South_Africa).{{Cite web |date=2006 |title=Profile: MMC for Finance and Economic Development – Councillor Parks Tau |url=http://www.joburg-archive.co.za/2006/pdfs/profiles/mayoral_committee.pdf |access-date=1 June 2025 |website=City of Joburg |page=12 |archive-date=18 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618140005/http://www.joburg-archive.co.za/2006/pdfs/profiles/mayoral_committee.pdf |url-status=dead }} Thereafter, he joined Johannesburg's transitional [Southern Local Metropolitan Council](/source/City_of_Johannesburg_Metropolitan_Municipality) as a representative of the ANC; aged 25, he became chairperson of the council's urban development committee and deputy chairperson of its executive committee.{{Cite web |date=20 January 2014 |title=City of Johannesburg, Executive Mayor Parks Tau |url=https://joburg.org.za/media_/MediaStatements/Pages/2014%20Press%20Releases/20-01-2014-City-of-Johannesburg,-Executive-Mayor-Parks-Tau.aspx |access-date=1 June 2025 |website=City of Joburg}} === Mayoral committee: 2000–2011 === The unified [City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality](/source/City_of_Johannesburg_Metropolitan_Municipality) was launched in 2000, and Tau became a local councillor in the new municipality, representing the ANC, after the [December 2000 local elections](/source/2000_South_African_municipal_elections). For the next decade, Tau served as a [Member of the Mayoral Committee](/source/Member_of_the_Mayoral_Committee) (MMC) under the inaugural mayor, [Amos Masondo](/source/Amos_Masondo); he was appointed as MMC for Development Planning, Transportation, and Environment in 2000 and went on to serve as MMC for Finance and Economic Development between 2003 and 2011. In 2009, he was elected to the [Gauteng](/source/Gauteng) ANC's [Provincial Executive Committee](/source/Provincial_Executive_Committees_of_the_African_National_Congress). The ''[Mail & Guardian](/source/Mail_%26_Guardian)'' later reported that Tau's wife was a minority shareholder in a [black economic empowerment](/source/Black_Economic_Empowerment) (BEE) consortium that also included a company, Regiments Capital, that had received state contracts from the Gauteng treasury. The newspaper suggested that Tau, as political head of the treasury, had ignored an improper [conflict of interest](/source/conflict_of_interest).{{Cite web |date=2012-10-05 |title=Council tender haunts Gauteng mayor's wife |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-10-05-00-council-tender-haunts-mayors-wife/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Mail & Guardian}}{{Cite web |date=2012-10-19 |title=Signs of rigging in Tau tender |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-10-19-00-signs-of-rigging-in-parks-tau-tender/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} Public integrity commissioner [Jules Browde](/source/Jules_Browde) investigated the allegations after they were published in 2012, and he reportedly concluded in 2013 that Tau had lacked any influence over the relevant tender processes.{{Cite web |date=1 August 2013 |title=Joburg mayor's name cleared |url=https://www.news24.com/joburg-mayors-name-cleared-20150429 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} === Mayor of Johannesburg: 2011–2016 === Ahead of the [18 May 2011 local elections](/source/2011_South_African_municipal_elections), Tau was the ANC's candidate in Johannesburg, touted to succeed Masondo as [Mayor of Johannesburg](/source/Mayor_of_Johannesburg).'''{{Cite news |last=Masondo |first=Sipho |date=6 May 2011 |title=ANC has 'remade Soweto' |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2011-05-06-anc-has-remade-soweto/#google_vignette |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=Sunday Times}}{{Cite web |date=2011-05-20 |title=ANC parades Parks Tau |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2011-05-20-anc-parades-parks-tau/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Mail & Guardian}}''' The ANC retained a comfortable majority of seats in the city council, and Tau was elected as mayor in the inaugural council meeting on 26 May, easily defeating a challenge from [Mmusi Maimane](/source/Mmusi_Maimane) of the opposition [Democratic Alliance](/source/Democratic_Alliance_(South_Africa)) (DA).{{Cite web |date=2011-05-26 |title=Tau appointed as new Jo'burg mayor |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2011-05-26-tau-appointed-as-new-joburg-mayor/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Mail & Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Wiener |first=Mandy |date=26 May 2011 |title=Tau elected as new JHB mayor |url=https://ewn.co.za/2011/05/26/Tau-elected-as-new-JHB-mayor |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=EWN}} In October 2011, Tau was additionally elected as regional chairperson of the ANC's Johannesburg branch, again succeeding Masondo.{{Cite web |date=2011-10-09 |title=Jo'burg ANC reveals new face |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2011-10-09-joburg-anc-reveals-new-face/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} As mayor Tau was viewed as a [technocrat](/source/Technocracy).{{Cite web |date=7 May 2011 |title=Meet Mister Joburg |url=https://www.news24.com/meet-mister-joburg-20150430 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} In his 2013 State of the City address, he introduced his so-called Corridors of Freedom agenda, which involved redressing apartheid-era [spatial inequalities](/source/Spatial_inequality) through inclusionary [public transport](/source/public_transport),{{Cite web |date=12 May 2013 |title=Newsmaker – Parks Tau: My vision for Joburg |url=https://www.news24.com/newsmaker-parks-tau-my-vision-for-joburg-20150429 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2014-06-26 |title=Corridors of Freedom, a vision of a city that works for its people |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2014-06-26-corridors-of-freedom-a-vision-of-a-city-that-works-for-its-people/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} including continued expansion of the [Rea Vaya](/source/Rea_Vaya) bus rapid transit system.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Creamer Media |title=Johannesburg launches the second phase of the Rea Vaya BRT system |url=https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/johannesburg-launches-the-second-phase-of-the-rea-vaya-brt-system-2013-10-31/rep_id:4136 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=engineeringnews.co.za}} The policy was popular among some observers,{{Cite web |last=Pieterse |first=Edgar |date=2016-10-23 |title=Parks Tau's second act is reward for a job well done in Joburg |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-24-parks-taus-second-act-is-reward-for-a-job-well-done-in-joburg/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}} but others criticized its conceptualization or implementation.{{Cite journal |last=Makwela |first=Mike |last2=Dittgen |first2=Romain |last3=Rubin |first3=Margot |date=2024-11-01 |title=Planned stitching, practical suturing: assembling community voices and mobilisation across difference in Johannesburg's corridors of freedom |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13604813.2024.2414369 |journal=City |volume=28 |issue=5-6 |pages=940–960 |doi=10.1080/13604813.2024.2414369 |issn=1360-4813|doi-access=free |hdl=2263/101312 |hdl-access=free }}{{Cite journal |last=Ballard |first=Richard |last2=Dittgen |first2=Romain |last3=Harrison |first3=Philip |last4=Todes |first4=Alison |date=2017 |title=Megaprojects and urban visions: Johannesburg's Corridors of Freedom and Modderfontein |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/682120 |journal=Transformation: Critical Perspectives on Southern Africa |language=en |volume=95 |issue=1 |pages=111–139 |doi=10.1353/trn.2017.0024 |issn=1726-1368|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite journal |last=Harrison |first=Philip |last2=Rubin |first2=Margot |last3=Appelbaum |first3=Alexandra |last4=Dittgen |first4=Romain |date=2019-12-01 |title=Corridors of Freedom: Analyzing Johannesburg's Ambitious Inclusionary Transit-Oriented Development |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X19870312 |journal=Journal of Planning Education and Research |language=EN |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=456–468 |doi=10.1177/0739456X19870312 |issn=0739-456X|url-access=subscription }} Tau's 2015 State of the City address set out plans for transforming Johannesburg into a [smart city](/source/smart_city), including through public [Wi-Fi](/source/Wi-Fi) networks and "smart" pre-paid electricity meters.{{Cite news |date=7 May 2015 |title=Tau talks smart, Soweto toyi-toyis |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2015-05-07-tau-talks-smart-soweto-toyi-toyis/ |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=Sunday Times}}{{Cite web |date=2015-05-07 |title=Tau dreams of a smart city |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/news-headlines/2015/05/07/tau-dreams-of-a-smart-city/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Roodepoort Record |language=en-GB}} Tau also committed to major infrastructure investments{{Cite web |date=22 March 2012 |title=Joburg financially sound: mayor |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2012-03-22-joburg-financially-sound-mayor/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Sunday Times}} and launched the Jozi@Work employment scheme.{{Cite web |date=2 February 2017 |title=Mashaba cans R1bn Jozi@Work programme |url=https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/mashaba-cans-r1bn-joziwork-programme-2017-02-02/rep_id:4136 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Engineering News}} In the [next local elections in August 2016](/source/2016_South_African_municipal_elections), Tau stood for re-election as the ANC's mayoral candidate,{{Cite web |date=19 June 2016 |title=Parks Tau is the ANC mayoral candidate for Joburg |url=https://www.enca.com/south-africa/parks-tau-ancs-mayoral-candidate-for-city-of-joburg |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=eNCA}} although some segments of the regional party suggested fielding an alternative candidate.{{Cite web |date=2016-01-20 |title=Who will lead the ANC's election charge? |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2016-01-20-who-will-lead-the-ancs-election-charge/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |date=2016-05-27 |title=ANC mayors may lose their chains |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2016-05-27-00-anc-mayors-may-lose-their-chains/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} But the ANC's vote share declined precipitously in the election: it remained the largest party on the Johannesburg council but lost its majority, winning only 45 per cent of the vote.'''{{Cite news |date=2016-08-05 |title=South African's ANC suffers worst election since taking power |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-election-idUSKCN10G2GA |access-date=2023-02-05 |work=Reuters |agency=}}''' At the inaugural council meeting on 23 August, the DA's [Herman Mashaba](/source/Herman_Mashaba) was elected as mayor, receiving 144 votes to Tau's 125; decisive for the DA's victory was the support of the [Economic Freedom Fighters](/source/Economic_Freedom_Fighters).{{Cite web |title=DA's Herman Mashaba elected new Joburg mayor |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2016-08-22-das-herman-mashaba-elected-new-joburg-mayor/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=TimesLIVE}}{{Cite web |title=EFF will vote for Mashaba, says Malema |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/eff-will-vote-for-mashaba-says-malema-20160818 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=News24}} === Leader of the opposition: 2016–2019 === [[File:Carmena, Hidalgo y Raggi reivindican insertar las estrategias de paz en las políticas municipales (06).jpg|thumb|Tau at the World Forum on Urban Violence in [Madrid, Spain](/source/Madrid%2C_Spain) in April 2017]]After his defeat in August 2016, Tau remained in the Johannesburg city council as leader of the ANC caucus and leader of the opposition.'''{{Cite web |last=Bendile |first=Dineo |date=23 August 2016 |title=Tau laments JHB loss, vows to work as opposition leader |url=https://ewn.co.za/2016/08/23/Parks-Tau-prepared-to-serve-as-leader-of-opposition-in-JHB |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=EWN}}'''{{Cite web |date=2016-10-10 |title=Bargain with the ANC to get the right budget, says ex-Jo'burg mayor Parks Tau |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2016-10-10-bargain-with-the-anc-to-get-the-right-budget-says-ex-joburg-mayor-parks-tau/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} He also became national chairperson of the [South African Local Government Association](/source/South_African_Local_Government_Association) in October 2016,{{Cite web |date=2016-10-06 |title=Parks Tau appointed interim chairperson of SA Local Government Association |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2016-10-06-parks-tau-appointed-interim-chairperson-of-sa-local-government-association/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |date=2016-10-07 |title=Parks Tau has a new job, eyes international position |url=https://www.cnbcafrica.com/media/5160660622001/parks-tau-has-a-new-job-eyes-international-position/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=CNBC Africa |language=en}} a position he held until June 2019.{{Cite web |date=17 June 2019 |title=Thembi Nkadimeng new president of Salga |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sundayworld/news/2019-06-17-thembi-nkadimeng-new-president-of-salga/ |access-date=2021-09-05 |website=Sowetan |language=en-ZA}} During the same three-year period he was president of the [United Cities and Local Governments](/source/United_Cities_and_Local_Governments).{{Cite web |date=15 October 2016 |title=Parks Tau elected as president of World Body of Local Government |url=https://www.salga.org.za/Salga%20News52.html |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=SALGA}} On 1 July 2018, Tau ceded the position of ANC regional chairperson in Johannesburg to [Geoff Makhubo](/source/Geoff_Makhubo). The party said that Tau had not stood for re-election because he was planning to pursue elevation to the party's provincial leadership at the upcoming provincial ANC conference, to be held in [Irene](/source/Irene%2C_Gauteng) on 21 July.{{Cite news |date=1 July 2018 |title=ANC elects new leadership in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2018-07-01-anc-elects-new-leadership-in-johannesburg-and-ekurhuleni/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216152926/https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2018-07-01-anc-elects-new-leadership-in-johannesburg-and-ekurhuleni/ |archive-date=16 December 2024 |access-date=2025-06-01 |work=Business Day |language=en-ZA |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2018-07-12 |title=Makhubo replaces Parks Tau as Joburg ANC leader |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/news-headlines/2018/07/12/makhubo-replaces-parks-tau-joburg-anc-leader/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Rosebank Killarney Gazette |language=en-GB}} Although he was nominated to stand for election as the provincial party's [deputy chairman](/source/Provincial_Chairperson_of_the_African_National_Congress), the conference elected him as provincial treasurer instead.{{Cite web |date=21 July 2018 |title=Panyaza Lesufi wins Gauteng ANC deputy chair position |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2018-07-21-panyaza-lesufi-wins-gauteng-anc-deputy-chair-position/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Sunday Times}} The ''Mail & Guardian'' reported that he stepped out of the deputy leadership race after making a deal with supporters of [Panyaza Lesufi](/source/Panyaza_Lesufi), who won the deputy chairman position.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-21 |title=Lesufi elected to ANC Gauteng's second most powerful position |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2018-07-21-lesufi-elected-to-anc-gautengs-second-most-powerful-position/ |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Qaanitah |date=2018-07-22 |title=David Makhura's unopposed ANC Gauteng victory – another beginning, another election to be fought |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-23-david-makhuras-unopposed-anc-gauteng-victory-another-beginning-another-election-to-be-fought/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Daily Maverick}} == Provincial and national government== === National executive: 2019–2020 === Tau was elected to the [Gauteng Provincial Legislature](/source/Gauteng_Provincial_Legislature) in the [May 2019 general election](/source/2019_South_African_general_election), and he resigned from the Johannesburg City Council to take up his legislative seat.{{Cite web |last=Zulu |first=Sifiso |date=22 May 2019 |title=Parks Tau resigns as ANC caucus leader in Johannesburg |url=https://ewn.co.za/2019/05/22/parks-tau-resigns-as-anc-caucus-leader-in-johannesburg |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=EWN}} However, though initially slated for appointment to a portfolio in the [Gauteng Executive Council](/source/Gauteng_Executive_Council), Tau was excluded from the provincial executive announced by premier [David Makhura](/source/David_Makhura) shortly after the election.{{Cite news |date=29 May 2019 |title=Gauteng's new MECs announced |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-05-29-gautengs-new-mecs-announced/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120140254/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-05-29-gautengs-new-mecs-announced/ |archive-date=20 January 2025 |access-date=2025-06-01 |work=Sowetan |language=en-ZA |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=29 May 2019 |title=Is Parks Tau heading to national government? |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-05-29-is-parks-tau-heading-to-national-government/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619004919/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-05-29-is-parks-tau-heading-to-national-government/ |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=2025-06-01 |work=Sowetan |language=en-ZA |url-status=live }} Instead, on 29 May, after just over a week in the provincial legislature, Tau was elevated to the national executive, appointed by President [Cyril Ramaphosa](/source/Cyril_Ramaphosa) as [Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs](/source/Minister_of_Cooperative_Governance_and_Traditional_Affairs). He was the only deputy minister appointed from outside the national [Parliament](/source/Parliament_of_South_Africa).{{Cite web |date=30 May 2019 |title=Njabulo Nzuza and Parks Tau are surprise cabinet appointees |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2019-05-30-njabulo-nzuza-and-parks-tau-are-surprise-cabinet-appointees/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Sunday Times}}{{Cite web |date=30 May 2019 |title=Parks Tau, deputy minister – the wildcard |url=https://www.news24.com/parks-tau-deputy-minister-the-wildcard-20190530 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} === Gauteng executive: 2020–2022 === In December 2020, Gauteng premier Makhura announced a [reshuffle](/source/reshuffle) of his provincial executive, in which Tau was appointed as [Member of the Executive Council](/source/Member_of_the_Executive_Council) (MEC) for Economic Development.{{Cite web |last=Tandwa |first=Lizeka |date=9 December 2020 |title=Parks Tau sworn in as new Gauteng economic development MEC |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/parks-tau-sworn-in-as-new-gauteng-economic-development-mec-20201209 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=News24}} He resigned from the national executive to take up the position and was sworn back in to a seat in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.{{Cite web |date=8 December 2020 |title=Gauteng Provincial legislature conducts swearing-in ceremony for Parks Tau as new member, 9 Dec |url=https://www.gov.za/news/media-advisories/government-activities/gauteng-provincial-legislature-conducts-swearing |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=South African Government}} The provincial [ANC Youth League](/source/ANC_Youth_League) reportedly opposed Tau's return to provincial politics.{{Cite web |date=1 December 2020 |title=ANCYL blocks Makhura's bid to reshuffle Masuku in Gauteng legislature |url=https://www.news24.com/ancyl-blocks-makhuras-bid-to-reshuffle-masuku-in-gauteng-legislature-20201201 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=3 December 2020 |title=Youth league tells members not to make way for Tau in Gauteng legislature |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-12-03-youth-league-tells-members-not-to-make-way-for-tau-in-gauteng-legislature/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524034839/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-12-03-youth-league-tells-members-not-to-make-way-for-tau-in-gauteng-legislature/ |archive-date=24 May 2022 |access-date=2025-06-01 |work=Sowetan |language=en-ZA |url-status=live }} Tau's term as ANC provincial treasurer ended at the party's provincial conference in June 2022, where [Morakane Mosupyoe](/source/Morakane_Mosupyoe) was elected to succeed him.{{Cite web |last=Masungwini |first=Norman |date=27 June 2022 |title=ANC Gauteng fails to conclude conference while Lesufi is voted new chairperson |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/politics/anc-gauteng-fails-to-conclude-conference-while-lesufi-is-voted-new-chairperson-20220627 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=City Press}} Tau was not included in the party Provincial Executive Committee as elected at the conference, which led to speculation that he would be removed from the Gauteng Executive Council.{{Cite web |last=Matlala |first=George |date=2022-08-21 |title=ANC looks to Lesufi to block coalition rule in Gauteng |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/politics/anc-looks-to-lesufi-to-block-coalition-rule-in-gauteng/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Sunday World}} After Panyaza Lesufi replaced Makhura as premier in October 2022, he sacked Tau as MEC for Economic Development, appointing [Tasneem Motara](/source/Tasneem_Motara) in his stead.{{Cite web |last=Khumalo |first=Juniour |date=7 October 2022 |title=Parks Tau, Nomathemba Mokgethi casualties as Panyaza Lesufi makes sweeping changes to Gauteng cabinet |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/political-parties/parks-tau-nomathemba-mokgethi-casualties-as-panyaza-lesufi-makes-sweeping-changes-to-gauteng-cabinet-20221007 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=News24}} Tau retained his legislative seat and was subsequently made chairperson of the legislature's finance committee.{{Cite web |last=Mahlati |first=Zintle |date=1 February 2023 |title=Parks Tau replaced as Gauteng legislature finance chair amid imminent Cabinet reshuffle |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/political-parties/parks-tau-replaced-as-gauteng-legislature-finance-chair-amid-imminent-cabinet-reshuffle-20230201 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=News24}} In addition, in December 2022, he attended the ANC's [55th National Conference](/source/55th_National_Conference_of_the_African_National_Congress) and was elected to a five-year term as a member of the party's [National Executive Committee](/source/National_Executive_Committee_of_the_African_National_Congress).{{Cite news |date=21 December 2022 |title=The ANC announces new members of the National Executive Committee |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/live-blog-the-anc-announces-new-members-of-the-national-executive-committee-b3bd5a0c-9eae-4a46-94d8-f49dd34bec3f |access-date=2023-02-05 |work=IOL}} The committee in turn elected him to chair its subcommittee on [local government](/source/Local_government_in_South_Africa) intervention.{{Cite web |date=26 February 2023 |title=Members of deployment committee and other committees appointed – ANC NEC |url=https://www.politicsweb.co.za/documents/members-of-deployment-committee-and-other-committe |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Politicsweb |language=en}} === Return to national government: 2023–present === [[File:Arrival of Bangladesh Prime Minister H.E. Ms Sheikh Hasina.jpg|thumb|Tau receiving Bangladesh Prime Minister [Sheikh Hasina](/source/Sheikh_Hasina) at [O. R. Tambo International Airport](/source/O._R._Tambo_International_Airport) ahead of the [BRICS Summit](/source/BRIC_Summit) in August 2023]] On 26 January 2023, the ''[Sunday Times](/source/Sunday_Times_(South_Africa))'' reported that Tau had resigned abruptly from his seat in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.{{Cite news |date=26 January 2023 |title=Paul Mashatile and Parks Tau look set for parliament |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-01-26-behind-the-scenes-movements-ahead-of-cabinet-reshuffle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424203901/https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-01-26-behind-the-scenes-movements-ahead-of-cabinet-reshuffle/ |archive-date=24 April 2025 |access-date=2025-06-01 |work=Sunday Times |language=en-ZA |url-status=live }} He was sworn in to a seat in the [National Assembly of South Africa](/source/National_Assembly_of_South_Africa) on 6 February, sparking rumors that he would be promoted to the national executive in an impending cabinet reshuffle.{{Cite web |last=Ludidi |first=Velani |date=2023-02-06 |title=Edging closer to Cabinet, Paul Mashatile and three other ANC members sworn in as MPs |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-06-edging-closer-to-cabinet-paul-mashatile-and-three-other-anc-members-sworn-in-as-mps/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=Daily Maverick}} When the reshuffle was announced on 6 March, President Ramaphosa returned Tau to his former position as Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Suné |date=2023-03-07 |title=It's official, SA's seven new ministers and nine deputy ministers sworn into office |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-07-its-official-sas-seven-new-ministers-and-nine-deputy-ministers-sworn-into-office/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Daily Maverick}} In the [next general election in May 2024](/source/2024_South_African_general_election), Tau stood for election to a full term in the National Assembly, but was initially ranked too low on the ANC's party list (74th) to win a seat. He was sworn in shortly after Parliament opened, on 19 June, when a casual vacancy arose.{{Cite news |date=20 June 2024 |title=Parks Tau takes Cyril Ramaphosa's seat in parliament |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-06-20-parks-tau-takes-cyril-ramaphosas-seat-in-parliament/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316101216/https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-06-20-parks-tau-takes-cyril-ramaphosas-seat-in-parliament/ |archive-date=16 March 2025 |access-date=2025-06-01 |work=Sunday Times |language=en-ZA |url-status=live }} On 30 June, he was appointed as [Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition](/source/Minister_of_Trade%2C_Industry_and_Competition) in President Ramaphosa's [ANC-led coalition government](/source/Third_Cabinet_of_Cyril_Ramaphosa).{{Cite web |date=2024-07-04 |title=In with the New: Meet the Cabinet of Change |url=https://www.enca.com/top-stories/new-meet-cabinet-change |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=eNCA |language=en}} [Andrew Whitfield](/source/Andrew_Whitfield_(politician)) and [Zuko Godlimpi](/source/Zuko_Godlimpi), of the DA and ANC respectively, were named as his deputies.{{Cite web |date=1 July 2024 |title=Meet the ministers now in charge of SA's economy |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/economy/meet-sas-new-gnu-economic-cluster-of-ministers-20240630 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} == Personal life == He is married to Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, who trained as an accountant and also worked in the Johannesburg government.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-01 |title='I Work 24x7' |url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2015/06/01/i-work-24x7/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Forbes Africa |language=en}} They have children.{{Cite news |last=John |first=Zenoyise |date=10 August 2012 |title=Johannesburg's First Lady opts for simple life |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/good-life/2012-08-10-johannesburgs-first-lady-opts-for-simple-life/ |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=Sowetan}}{{Cite web |title=The current Executive Mayor |url=http://joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&id=731&Itemid=131&limitstart=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903053200/http://joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&id=731&Itemid=131&limitstart=2 |archive-date=2014-09-03 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=City of Joburg |language=en-gb}} ==References== {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{People's Assembly (South Africa)|id=mpho-parks-franklyn-tau|name=Parks Tau}} {{Mayors of Johannesburg}} {{Current MPs of South Africa}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tau, Parks}} Category:Living people Category:1970 births Category:African National Congress politicians Category:Alumni of the University of London Category:Government ministers of South Africa Category:Mayors of Johannesburg Category:Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2019–2024 Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2024–2029 Category:People from Soweto --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Parks Tau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parks_Tau) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parks_Tau?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.