20-01-2014: City of Johannesburg, Executive Mayor Parks Tau
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Clr Mpho Parks Tau has been invited to participate at the World Economic Forum to be held in Davos from the 21st to 24th January 2014.
He has been invited as a contributor in a session entitled "Climate Change: The Role of Youth". The session will focus on what opportunities exist for the youth to take a leadership role in the climate change dialogue, and what is the role of business in engaging in youth. He will also participate in several other sessions where he has been invited to make special remarks.
In addition, from 4-6 February Mayor Tau will host the prestigious C40 Cities Mayors Summit on Climate Change, in Johannesburg.
As a courtesy, please find herewith, a recent photograph and Executive Mayor Tau's profile.
PROFILE OF COUNCILLOR, MPHO PARKS TAU
COUNCILLOR MPHO FRANKLYN PARKS TAU THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Mpho Franklyn (Parks) Tau brings a unique blend of youth and experience to his role as Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa's premier city.
At the age of 41, he has already served for more than ten years in the most demanding portfolios in the City's Mayoral Committee in addition to his deep roots in community activism and political structures.
Born and raised in Orlando West, Soweto, he became active in student politics from a young age. In the 1980s, he played a leadership role as SRC President at Pace Commercial College and President of the Soweto Youth Congress. His introduction into resistance politics coincided with the height of government repression of democratic organisations and he was repeatedly detained during the national state of emergency.
The transition from youth politics to broader civic activism came naturally to him, occupying various leadership positions in local structures. At the youthful age of 25, he was appointed Chairperson of the Urban Development Committee, of the then Southern Local Metropolitan Council (SLMC), where he was responsible for the planning function. As Deputy Chairperson of the SLMC's Executive Committee, he was a driving force in the Transformation Lekgotla that eventually resulted in the creation of a united Johannesburg.
It came as no surprise when he became a Member of the Mayoral Committee following the first democratic local government elections in 2000. He was entrusted with a wide range of portfolios; including Development Planning, and Transportation and Environment. His voice and ideas were key in the formulation of the development plans which currently shape the current and future progress of Johannesburg.
The City's Spatial Development Framework, its Environmental Management Plan and the Integrated Transport Plan are all initiatives that were initiated during his tenure at the helm of the portfolio.
In 2004 he was given the responsibility for the City's Finance and Economic Development portfolios. As the head of Johannesburg's finances, he presided over the growth of the City's annual budget from a mere R8,2 billion to more than R28 billion for the 2010/11 financial year – reflecting Johannesburg's continuing success in delivering services to communities and creating a climate for economic growth and development.
To strengthen his hands-on experience in city governance, Tau holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management in addition to the several advanced management courses he successfully completed during his career.
Tau has served in the African National Congress' (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee since 2009 and he was elected as the Chairperson of the Greater Johannesburg Region in October 2011.
Tau is married to Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, and they have four dependents.
ENDS
Issued by the City of Johannesburg
For queries contact:
Nthatisi Modingoane
nthatisem@joburg.org.za
Jean Robertson
jean@vumareputation.com
