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{{Short description|South African politician}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
{{BLP sources|reason=Standard Wikipedia disclaimer for living persons|date=May 2016}}
{{Use South African English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=SeptemberApril 20132024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Mpho Franklyn Parks Tau
| honorific-suffix = [[Member of parliament|MP]]
| image = (Parks Tau) Cohesión social, desarrollo económico y educación emocional, nuevas reglas para la convivencia en las ciudades.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption = Parks Tau (2018)
| office = [[Department of Trade, Industry and Competition|Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition]]
| office = [[Executive Council (South Africa)|Gauteng MEC for Economic Development]]
| ministeralongside =
| minister =
| term_start = 9 December 2020
| term_start = 3 July 2024
| term_end =
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[Morakane Mosupyoe]]
| predecessor = [[Ebrahim Patel]]
| office1 = Deputy Minister of [[Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs|Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs]]
| successor =
| minister1 = [[Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma|Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma]]
| office1 = [[Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs|Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs]]
| term_start1 = 29 May 2019
| alongside1 = [[Zolile Burns-Ncamashe]]
| term_end1 = 9 December 2020
| successor1minister1 = [[ObedThembi BapelaNkadimeng]]
| term_start1 = 7 March 2023
|order =
| term_end1 = 19 June 2024
|office2 = [[Mayor of Johannesburg]]
| predecessor1 =
|term_start2 = 26 May 2011<ref name = "TauInfo1">{{cite web|url=http://joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&id=731&Itemid=131&limitstart=2|title=city of Johannesburg - Office of the Executive Mayor|last=Yollie|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
| successor1 =
|term_end2 =22 August 2016
| minister2 = [[Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma]]
|predecessor2 = [[Amos Masondo]]<ref name = "TauInfo1"/>
| alongside2 = [[Obed Bapela]]
|successor2 = [[Herman Mashaba]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2016/08/22/DAs-Herman-Mashaba-elected-new-Joburg-mayor|title=DA's Herman Mashaba elected new Joburg mayor}}</ref>
| term_start2 = 29 May 2019
|birth_date = {{birth year and age|1970}}<ref name = "TauInfo2">http://www.joburg-archive.co.za/2006/pdfs/profiles/mayoral_committee.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
| term_end2 = 9 December 2020
|birth_place = [[Orlando, Soweto]], [[South Africa]]
| predecessor2 = [[Andries Nel]]
|death_date =
| successor2 = [[Thembi Nkadimeng]]
|death_place =
| office3 = [[Member of the National Assembly of South Africa]]
|restingplace =
| term_start3 = 8 August 2024
|restingplacecoordinates =
| term_end3 =
|birthname =
| office4 = [[Member of the National Assembly of South Africa]]
|nationality = South African
| term_start4 = 6 February 2023
|party = [[African National Congress]]
| term_end4 = 28 May 2024
|otherparty =
| office5 = [[Executive Council (South Africa)|Member of the Gauteng Executive Council for Economic Development]]
|spouse = Pilisiwe Twala-Tau<ref name = "TauInfo1"/>
| premier5 = [[David Makhura]]
|partner =
| term_start5 = 9 December 2020
|relations =
| term_end5 = 6 October 2022
|children = 4<ref name = "TauInfo1"/>
| predecessor5 = [[Morakane Mosupyoe]]
|residence = [[Johannesburg, South Africa]]
| successor5 = [[Tasneem Motara]]
|alma_mater =
| office6 = [[Mayor of Johannesburg]]
|occupation =
| term_start6 = 26 May 2011<ref name = "TauInfo1">{{cite web|url=http://joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&id=731&Itemid=131&limitstart=2|title=city of Johannesburg – Office of the Executive Mayor|last=Yollie|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
|profession = [[Councillor]]
| term_end6 = 22 August 2016
|cabinet =
| predecessor6 = [[Amos Masondo]]<ref name = "TauInfo1"/>
|committees =
| successor6 = [[Herman Mashaba]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2016/08/22/DAs-Herman-Mashaba-elected-new-Joburg-mayor|title=DA's Herman Mashaba elected new Joburg mayor}}</ref>
|portfolio =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1970}}<ref name = "TauInfo2">[http://www.joburg-archive.co.za/2006/pdfs/profiles/mayoral_committee.pdf Mayoral Committee]. ''Johannesburg''.</ref>
|religion =
| birth_place = [[Orlando, Soweto]], [[South Africa]]
|signature =
| death_date =
|signature_alt=
| death_place =
|website =
| restingplace =
|footnotes =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| birthname =
| nationality = South African
| party = [[African National Congress]]
| otherparty =
| spouse = Pilisiwe Twala-Tau<ref name = "TauInfo1"/>
| partner =
| relations =
| children = 4<ref name = "TauInfo1"/>
| residence = [[Johannesburg]], South Africa
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| profession =
| cabinet =
| committees =
| portfolio =
| religion =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
 
'''Mpho Franklyn Parks Tau''' (born 1970) is a South African politician who was appointed as Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition from 3 July 2024.
'''Mpho Franklyn Parks Tau''' (born 1970) is a South African politician who served as the mayor of the city of [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]] from 2011 to 2016. He is a member of the [[African National Congress]], and was the second democratically elected mayor, after [[Amos Masondo]], of the Unified [[City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality|City of Johannesburg]]. He lost the mayoralty to the DA's [[Herman Mashaba]] in a historic defeat on the 22 of August 2016. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs on 29 May 2019.
 
He served as a [[Member of the National Assembly of South Africa]] from 2023 till his defeat in 2024, representing the [[African National Congress]], however he later returned to Parliament in 2024.
On 2 December 2020, Gauteng premier [[David Makhura]] appointed Tau as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Economic Development.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parks Tau is Gauteng's economic development MEC as Makhura strengthens his cabinet|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2020-12-02-parks-tau-is-gautengs-economic-development-mec-as-makhura-strengthens-his-cabinet/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=TimesLIVE|language=en-ZA}}</ref> He was sworn in on 9 December.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tandwa|first=Lizeka|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=2021-03-14|website=News24|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
Before becoming a member of Parliament, Tau had been a [[Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature]] where he served in the [[Gauteng Executive Council]] as MEC for Economic Development from December 2020 to October 2022. Prior to that, he was Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs between May 2019 and December 2020.
==Early life and education==
Born in [[Orlando West]], a neighborhood of [[Soweto]], on 6 June 1970, Tau and his siblings grew up the heart of the struggle against apartheid. Soweto is a densely populated urban area of predominantly black South Africans located on the southern perimeter of what was once Johannesburg's city boundary. Officially a part of the city since 1999, Soweto was the site of many altercations between police and anti-apartheid demonstrators, including the Soweto Uprising,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/june-16-soweto-youth-uprising|title=The June 16 Soweto Youth Uprising|last=Leander|date=2013-05-21|website=www.sahistory.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> which began on June 16, 1976, after apartheid police fired on demonstrating black students. Tau entered his teenage years at the height of the apartheid unrest and liberation struggle. At the age of fourteen, he joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/congress-south-african-students-cosas|title=Congress of South African Students (COSAS)|last=jonas|date=2012-03-12|website=www.sahistory.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> and became engaged in student activism for the first time. In the 1980s, he was detained several times during national states of emergency—periods of strict restrictions on anti-apartheid activities—which were declared by the apartheid government of the time that was determined to regain control over the population. Tau was later elected president of the Student Representative Council at Pace Commercial College. There he met college vice president Mbuyiseni Oswald Mtshali, who encouraged him and other PACE students to voice their political beliefs. In 1989, at the age of 19, Tau was elected president of the Soweto Youth Congress,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/organisations/south-african-youth-congress-sayco|title=South African Youth Congress (SAYCO)|last=Anonymous|date=2011-03-30|website=www.sahistory.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> and later he became a leading member of its subsequent incarnation, the African National Congress Youth League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldhistoryproject.org/1944/the-african-national-congress-youth-league-is-founded|title=The African National Congress Youth League is Founded|website=World History Project|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref>
 
Tau was the second democratically elected mayor, after [[Amos Masondo]], of the Unified [[City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality|City of Johannesburg]]. He lost the mayoralty to the DA's [[Herman Mashaba]] in a historic defeat on 22 August 2016. From 2018 to 2022, he was the [[Provincial Executive Committees of the African National Congress|provincial treasurer of the Gauteng ANC branch]]. In December 2022, he was elected to a five-year term on the [[National Executive Committee of the African National Congress]].
==Early career ==
"The liberation struggle and a quest for social justice influenced my decision to join politics making my transition from struggle activism to politics seamless”, Tau says.{{Cite quote|date=July 2016}}
 
==Early life==
After apartheid came to an end in 1994 and South Africa's liberation party, the Africa National Congress (ANC), took power, Tau continued to take on roles enabling him to help build a united and equitable South Africa. He was 24 years old when he was elected regional secretary of the ANC in Johannesburg and in 1996, he went on to serve on the Southern Metropolitan Local Council's Urban Development Committee. In 2000, following the first democratic elections to take place at city level, Tau was appointed as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) of Johannesburg, overseeing the portfolios of Developmental Planning, Transportation, and Environment from 2000 to 2003, as well as the Finance and Economic Development portfolio between 2003 and 2011.
Tau was born in [[Orlando West]], a neighbourhood of [[Soweto]], on 6 June 1970. At the age of fourteen, he joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/congress-south-african-students-cosas|title=Congress of South African Students (COSAS)|last=jonas|date=2012-03-12|website=sahistory.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> and became engaged in student activism for the first time. In the 1980s, he was detained several times during national states of emergency—periods of strict restrictions on anti-apartheid activities—which were declared by the apartheid government of the time that was determined to regain control over the population. Tau was later elected president of the Student Representative Council at Pace Commercial College. In 1989, at the age of 19, Tau was elected president of the Soweto Youth Congress,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/organisations/south-african-youth-congress-sayco|title=South African Youth Congress (SAYCO)|last=Anonymous|date=2011-03-30|website=sahistory.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> and later he became a member of the African National Congress Youth League.{{cn|date=September 2024}}
 
==Early career ==
== Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg (2011 - 2016) ==
He was 24 years old when he was elected regional secretary of the ANC in Johannesburg and in 1996, he went on to serve on the Southern Metropolitan Local Council's Urban Development Committee. In 2000, Tau was appointed as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) of Johannesburg, overseeing the portfolios of Developmental Planning, Transportation, and Environment from 2000 to 2003, as well as the Finance and Economic Development portfolio between 2003 and 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MEC – Gauteng Gambling Board |url=https://www.ggb.org.za/mec/ |access-date=2023-02-05}}</ref>
As mayor, Tau described a livable city as "a place that creates opportunities for everybody who wants to access the city, its cultural, social and economic amenities".{{Cite quote|date=July 2016}}
 
During his time in office, Tau focused on continuing the work of his predecessor, expanding the public transport system, and committing to a ZAR 100 million infrastructure programme, rolled out citywide free Internet access, and added the Jozi@Work employment scheme.
 
===Corridors of Freedom<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://corridorsoffreedom.co.za/|title=Home|website=corridorsoffreedom.co.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref>===
 
“Black people in the main continue to live far from their workplaces and have to travel long distances to reach places of work, schools, and leisure. Corridors of Freedom<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://corridorsoffreedom.co.za/|title=Home|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> looks to remove these boundaries to link jobs to people and people to jobs", said Mayor Tau.{{Cite quote|date=July 2016}}
 
The vision for an equitable and liveable Johannesburg stems from the Joburg 2040 Growth and Development Strategy (2040 GDS<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joburg.org.za/gds2040/gds2040_strategy.php|title=GDS 2040|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joburg.org.za/gds2040/gds2040_strategy.php|title=GDS 2040|website=www.joburg.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref>) which sets out pathways for attending to the challenges of urban migration, globalisation, climate change and technological innovation facing large cities the world over.
 
During his time in office, Tau has oversaw the expansion of the Rea Vaya<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reavaya.org.za/|title=Home|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reavaya.org.za/|title=Home|website=www.reavaya.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> bus rapid transit system, improving public transport between the historically racially separated neighbourhoods of the city. In a recent interview with Cities Today,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cities-today.com/interview-with-mpho-franklyn-parks-tau-mayor-of-johannesburg/|title=Cities Today|last=|first=|date=27 October 2014|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> Mayor Tau outlined the objectives of Rea Vaya, stating; "in the long term, Johannesburg citizens will live closer to their workplace and be able to work, stay and play without having to use private motorised transport”.
 
The inclusion of dedicated cycling lanes <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingsa.com/road-cycling-press/2015/3/24/johannesburg-set-to-become-a-cycling-city|title=Johannesburg set to become a cycling city|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyclingsa.com/road-cycling-press/2015/3/24/johannesburg-set-to-become-a-cycling-city|title=Johannesburg set to become a cycling city|website=Cycling South Africa|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> in the Rea Vaya system is a further development to minimise the city's carbon emissions and encourage healthier lifestyles for the city's 5 million residents.
 
During his time as Mayor, Tau moved swiftly{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=July 2016}} to attend the climate change issues facing Johannesburg and hosted the C40 Mayors Summit in February 2014,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.wri.org/blog/2014/02/lessons-c40-mayors-summit-scaling-solutions-resilient-livable-cities|title=Lessons from the C40 Mayors Summit: Scaling Up Solutions for Resilient, Livable Cities {{!}} World Resources Institute|website=www.wri.org|date=18 February 2014|access-date=2016-05-03|last1=Dalkmann|first1=Holger}}</ref> promising to cutting the city's carbon emissions by 1.6 million tons by 2020. Adding tangible outcomes to this commitment, the city has started offering incentives to residents to upgrade their own buildings, making them more energy efficient and for utilising more natural resources.{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=July 2016}}
 
In addition, the Rea Vaya public transport system will include bio-gas-powered buses in the next phase of its development.
 
Tau also committed the city to diversify its energy supply and develop energy efficiency programs across government services, the business sector and amongst private households.
 
===Blue Economy and Smart City===
Early in 2015, Mayor Tau hosted the first Blue Economy<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&id=9443:20012015-blue-is-the-new-green-as-joburg-steps-into-the-future&Itemid=114|title=city of Johannesburg - 20/01/2015: Blue is the new green as Joburg steps into the future|last=kabelo|website=www.joburg.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> discussions in the city in collaboration with the Zero Emissions Research and Initiative (ZERI),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.zeri.org/ZERI/Home.html|title=Home|website=www.zeri.org|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> resulting in at least two initiatives to improve the city's standing as a blue economy leader:
* The establishment of a stone paper factory utilising the contents of tailing dams at mine dumps to produce this unique product which is increasingly used for stationary, magazines, posters, packaging and bags. There are a number of tailing dams across the city and the project has the potential to attract investment from mining companies who want to mitigate the impact of their activities on the environment and,
* The utilisation of Li-Fi technology for street lighting will be a cost-effective option for the city and stimulate the growth of a local industry to manufacture photovoltaic panels. Li-Fi also has numerous other applications in industry, technology and healthcare and will support Johannesburg's transition towards becoming a Smart City.{{Citation needed|date=July 2016}}
 
===Jozi@Work===
Launched in September 2014, the Jozi@Work<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.joziatwork.org.za/about/|title=About Jozi@Work - Jozi@Work|website=Jozi@Work|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> initiative is designed to create an opportunity for communities to partner with the city in the delivery of municipal services in their own neighbourhoods. The project helps both create direct employment as well improves access for small business to become service providers to the city. To date,{{When|date=July 2016}} Jozi@Work has enabled and supported over 52000 livelihoods in the city.<ref name=":2" />
 
===Ombudsman of the City of Johannesburg===
In an unprecedented move for a major city in South Africa, Mayor Tau kept his election campaign promise and in 2014 appointed the first independent ombudsman for the City of Johannesburg.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joburgombudsman.org.za/|title=Home Page {{!}} Johannesburg Ombudsman|website=Johannesburg Ombudsman|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> This move, together with an anti-corruption hotline, marks a turning point in the city's administration. The ombudsman will independently investigate complaints of corruption in the city and ensure clean governance for all city contracts.
 
== Record of Public Offices ==
* Co-President of Metropolis,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metropolis.org/|title=Metropolis|website=Metropolis|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> 2014 to 2016
* Member of the C40 Climate Change Network Steering Committee, 2011 to date
* Deputy Chair of the UN Special Advisory Committee on Safer Cities,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unhabitat.org/advisory-groups/unacla/|title=United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA) – UN-Habitat|website=unhabitat.org|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> 2012 – To date
 
Chairperson of the South African Cities Network,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sacities.net/|title=SA Cities Network - Home|website=sacities.net|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> 2012 – To date
 
[[City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality|City of Johannesburg]] Executive Mayor, 2011 – 2016
 
Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://salga.org.za/|title=SALGA - Home|website=salga.org.za|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> in Gauteng, 2011 – To date
 
== Mayor of Johannesburg ==
'''Johannesburg Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC)'''
After the ANC retained their majority of seats on the Johannesburg City Council in the [[2011 South African municipal elections|municipal elections held on 18 May 2011]], Tau was fielded as the party's candidate to succeed [[Amos Masondo]] at the inaugural council meeting on 26 May.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Tau easily defeated a challenge from the DA's [[Mmusi Maimane]], winning with over 160 votes to become the second mayor of the Johannesburg metro.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiener |first=Mandy |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.co.za}}</ref>
* Developmental Planning, Transportation and Environment, 2000–2003
* Finance and Economic Development, 2003–2011
 
During his time in office, Tau focused on continuing the work of his predecessor, expanding the public transport system,<ref>{{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}}</ref> committed to a ZAR 100 billion infrastructure programme,<ref>{{Cite web |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=TimesLIVE}}</ref> rolled out citywide free Internet access,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mayor Tau launches digital game changer in City libraries |url=https://www.joburg.org.za/media_/Newsroom/Pages/2016%20&%202015%20Articles/Mayor-Tau-launches-digital-game-changer-in-City-libraries.aspx |website=Joburg}}</ref> and added the Jozi@Work employment scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=African News |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=engineeringnews.co.za}}</ref> In 2012, it was reported that Tau's wife, Pilisiwe Twala-Tau received a stake in a Capitec Bank black economic empowerment deal in 2006 worth around R10 million to manage the Johannesburg council's R2-billion liability redemption fund, led by Regiments Capital. At the time, Tau was the MMC responsible for treasury and was responsible for the awarding of the contract.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
'''Africa National Congress Johannesburg'''
* Regional Secretary, 1993–1998
* Regional Deputy Chairperson 2007–2011
* Regional Chairperson 2011 to date
 
For the [[2016 South African municipal elections|2016 municipal elections]], Tau was selected as the ANC's mayoral candidate for the metro.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks Tau is the ANC mayoral candidate for Joburg {{!}} eNCA |url=https://www.enca.com/south-africa/parks-tau-ancs-mayoral-candidate-for-city-of-joburg |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=enca.com}}</ref> In the municipal elections, the ANC's lost its majority on the city council for the first time. The party's vote share in the metro declined to only 45% while the DA received 38% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-08-05 |title=South African's ANC suffers worst election since taking power|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-election-idUSKCN10G2GA |access-date=2023-02-05}}</ref> The [[kingmaker]]s in council, the [[Economic Freedom Fighters]], subsequently announced that they would vote for the DA's mayoral candidate, [[Herman Mashaba]] at the inaugural council meeting to oust Tau.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Mashaba was elected mayor on 23 August 2016, defeating Tau in a vote that went 144–125.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He subsequently took up the position of leader of the opposition in council.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bendile |first=Dineo |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.co.za}}</ref>
'''Urban Development Committee of the Southern Local Metropolitan Council, 1997–2000'''
 
== Gauteng politics==
- Deputy Chairperson
At the ANC's provincial conference in July 2018, Tau was elected as the provincial treasurer of the party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Qaanitah |date=2018-07-22 |title=Analysis: 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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |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=TimesLIVE}}</ref>
 
==Provincial legislature and national government==
- Chairperson
The following year, he vacated his position as leader of the ANC caucus in the Johannesburg City Council after having been elected to the [[Gauteng Provincial Legislature]] in the [[2019 South African general election|2019 general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zulu |first=Sifiso |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.co.za}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, Tau was appointed as Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the cabinet of [[Cyril Ramaphosa]]. He was the only deputy minister appointed to not be a Member of Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |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=TimesLIVE}}</ref>
 
== Gauteng Executive Council ==
Soweto Youth Congress <ref name=":0" /> President, 1989
In December 2020, Gauteng premier [[David Makhura]] announced a [[reshuffle]] of his provincial executive, in which Tau was appointed as [[Member of the Executive Council]] (MEC) for Economic Development.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tandwa |first=Lizeka |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}}</ref> He resigned from the National Executive to be sworn in as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to take up the position. [[Morakane Mosupyoe]] succeeded Tau as provincial treasurer at the ANC's provincial conference in June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masungwini |first=Norman |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}}</ref> Tau was not elected to the ANC Provincial Elective Committee (PEC), which led to speculation that he would be removed from the Executive Council.<ref>{{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}}</ref> After [[Panyaza Lesufi]] was promoted to premier in October 2022, he announced his executive council, which excluded Tau.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khumalo |first=Juniour |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}}</ref> Tau was subsequently made chairperson of the legislature's Finance Committee.
 
=== Return to national government ===
Student Representative Council President at Pace Commercial College
Tau was, however, elected to the [[National Executive Committee of the African National Congress]] at the party's 55th National Conference in December 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |title=LIVE BLOG: 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}}</ref> On 26 January 2023, it was announced that Tau would be sworn in as a member of the National Assembly of South Africa amid speculation that he would be appointed to cabinet as a minister.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masuabi |first=Queenin |date=2023-02-03 |title=THE SHUFFLE: Four ANC members will be sworn in as MPs to pave way for Ramaphosa’s new-look Cabinet |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-03-five-anc-members-will-be-sworn-in-as-mps-to-pave-way-for-ramaphosas-new-look-cabinet/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Daily Maverick}}</ref> On 1 February 2023, Tau was replaced as chairperson of the Gauteng legislature's Finance Committee after he had resigned from the provincial legislature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahlati |first=Zintle |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}}</ref> Tau was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on 6 February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ludidi |first=Velani |date=2023-02-06 |title=THE SHUFFLE: 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}}</ref> A month later, he returned to the position of Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs following a cabinet reshuffle done by Ramaphosa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Suné |date=2023-03-07 |title=THE SHUFFLE: 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}}</ref>
 
He was defeated for re-election in the [[2024 South African general election]], however was later brought back to Parliament due to the resignation of [[Cyril Ramaphosa]].<ref>https://www.pa.org.za/person/nomasonto-evelyn-motaung/</ref>
1986–1987
 
==Charity workPhilanthropy==
 
Tau is involved in numerous charitable activities.
 
He took part in the 2013 edition of the Mayoral Charity Golf Day <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://southerncourier.co.za/9468/annual-joburg-mayoral-charity-golf-day-raised-more-than-r1-million/|title=Annual Joburg Mayoral Charity Golf Day raised more than R1 million|date=2013-09-10|website=Southern Courier|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref> which raised over [[South African rand|R]]1&nbsp;million for various [[non-governmental organization]]s that assist in improving the lives of those suffering with [[HIV/AIDS]].<ref name = "TauCharity">http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8787:annual-joburg-mayoral-charity-golf-day-raised-more-than-r1-million-&catid=88:news-update&Itemid=266</ref><ref name = "TauCharity2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/northcliff-melville/northcliff-melville-news-general?oid=7775140&sn=Detail&pid=217665&City-hosts-charity-golf-day |title=City hosts charity golf day -– General &#124; looklocal Northcliff Melville |access-date=17 September 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200850/http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/northcliff-melville/northcliff-melville-news-general?oid=7775140&sn=Detail&pid=217665&City-hosts-charity-golf-day |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name ="TauCharity3">{{cite web|url=http://www.transformsa.co.za/2013/08/over-r1million-raised-for-hivaids-charities-by-annual-mayoral-charity-golf-day/|title=Over R1million raised for HIV/AIDS charities by Annual Mayoral Charity Golf Day -– Transform SA -– The leading Transformation Magazine|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
 
On 10 December 2011 and 1 December 2012, Tau hosted a [[party|birthday party]] called the ''Every Child Birthday Party'', which is a party hosted for children who may suffer from a range of vulnerabilities, including [[Disability|disabilities]] and being [[orphan]]ed.<ref name = "ECBDP11">{{cite web|url=http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8421:29-11-2012-city-of-joburg-executive-mayor-hosts-a-birthday-party-for-vulnerable-children&catid=217:press-releases-2013&Itemid=114|title=city of Johannesburg -– 2012-11-29: City of Joburg Executive Mayor hosts a birthday party for vulnerable children|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref><ref name = "ECBDP12">{{cite web|url=http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7549:kids-have-a-big-birthday-bash&catid=133:youth&Itemid=216|title=city of Johannesburg -– Kids have a big birthday bash|publisher=|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
 
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
 
{{Mayors of Johannesburg}}
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