Parks Tau is one of South Africa’s most prominent political figures, having held several key leadership positions throughout his career. From his early activism to his pivotal role in local government and national politics, Tau has been instrumental in shaping the political landscape of the country. Here are 21 facts you should know about Parks Tau:
1. Born in Soweto
Parks Tau was born on June 6, 1970, in Orlando West, a neighborhood in the iconic township of Soweto, Johannesburg. This is where his journey of activism and public service began.
2. Early Activism
At just 14 years old, Tau joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and became involved in student activism during the 1980s, a turbulent period in South Africa’s apartheid era.
3. Detained During Apartheid
During the national states of emergency imposed by the apartheid government, Tau was detained multiple times due to his involvement in anti-apartheid activities.
4. Leadership in Student Movements
Tau was elected president of the Student Representative Council at Pace Commercial College and later became president of the Soweto Youth Congress in 1989 at the age of 19.
5. Part of ANC Youth League
As a young leader, Tau joined the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League, where he continued to advocate for the rights of South African youth.
6. Joined the ANC at 24
At the age of 24, Tau was elected as the regional secretary of the ANC in Johannesburg, marking the beginning of his deep involvement in the party’s leadership.
7. Served on the Johannesburg Local Council
In 1996, Tau served on the Southern Metropolitan Local Council’s Urban Development Committee, working on urban planning and development.
8. Held MMC Positions in Johannesburg
From 2000 to 2011, Tau served as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) in Johannesburg, overseeing crucial portfolios such as Developmental Planning, Transportation, and Finance.
9. Second Elected Mayor of Johannesburg
Tau became the second democratically elected mayor of Johannesburg in 2011 after defeating Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance (DA) during the ANC’s council elections.
10. Focus on Infrastructure and Public Transport
As mayor, Tau focused on improving the city’s infrastructure, including a massive ZAR 100 billion program and the expansion of public transport systems.
11. Citywide Free Internet Access
Under Tau’s leadership, Johannesburg launched a citywide free Wi-Fi initiative, enhancing access to the internet for residents across the city.
12. Jozi@Work Initiative
Tau also introduced the Jozi@Work program, which aimed to create employment opportunities for Johannesburg residents by engaging local communities in city development projects.
13. Historic Loss in 2016
In a historic shift in Johannesburg’s political landscape, Tau lost his mayoralty to Herman Mashaba of the DA during the 2016 municipal elections. The ANC lost its majority on the city council for the first time in history.
14. Leader of the Opposition in Council
After his loss as mayor, Tau became the leader of the opposition in Johannesburg’s city council, continuing to be an influential figure in local politics.
15. Elected Provincial Treasurer of Gauteng ANC
In 2018, Tau was elected provincial treasurer of the ANC in Gauteng, a role he held until 2022 when he was succeeded by Morakane Mosupyoe.
16. Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In 2019, Tau was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet.
17. MEC for Economic Development in Gauteng
In December 2020, Tau was appointed as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Economic Development in the Gauteng provincial government.
18. Excluded from Gauteng Executive Council in 2022
Following the election of Panyaza Lesufi as Gauteng Premier, Tau was not included in the new executive council in October 2022, leading to his appointment as chairperson of the provincial legislature’s Finance Committee.
19. Return to National Government in 2023
In 2023, Tau returned to national politics when he was sworn in as a Member of the National Assembly after speculation that he would be appointed to a cabinet position.
20. Brief Defeat in 2024
Tau was defeated in the 2024 general elections but was later reappointed to Parliament following the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, marking his return to national government.
21. Philanthropic Efforts
Apart from his political career, Tau is deeply involved in charitable causes. He has hosted various fundraising initiatives such as the Mayoral Charity Golf Day and the Every Child Birthday Party, which supports vulnerable children, including those living with HIV/AIDS and disabilities.
Parks Tau’s journey from a student activist to a seasoned political leader has been marked by resilience, leadership, and a commitment to public service. As a key figure in South Africa’s political sphere, Tau continues to play an essential role in shaping the country’s future.