Yoliswa Makhasi is an activist bureaucrat who started her career in the public sector in 1996. She currently serves as Director General of the Department of Public Service and Administration since March 2020. Her responsibilities include ensuring effective and efficient administration of the Department, amongst others. Previously, she was Head of Department for Community Safety in Gauteng Provincial Government from January 2016 to February 2020. She is also a qualified coach and public policy expert who has grown up in different ranks in the public sector.

Her academic credentials include Master’s in Philosophy (MPhil) in Coaching Management from University of Stellenbosch (2019); Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from University of Manchester (UK) (2005); Bachelor of Arts Degree from Vista University (PE). She has continuously improved her skills and has obtained a number of certificates mainly from Wits University and the Gordon Business School on project management, leadership, financial management, government communications etc. In 2021, she obtained a certificate on Innovation from INSEAD as well as Certificate on Public Policy Analysis from London School of Economics.

Ms Makhasi has worked in different roles within the public sector from operations, management and political/ strategic levels and has been exposed to different levels of decision-making, oversight, management and operations. She also volunteers in good cause initiatives aimed at developing young people, in particular young women. Her key capabilities and competencies include policy development and analysis; strategic leadership, planning, monitoring and evaluation; project management, people management, stakeholder relations, partnerships and constituency building; risk management; corporate governance and communications.