Zukiswa Mqolomba (38), from South Africa, is an executive public sector leader with roots deeply embedded in strategy, economics, poverty, and public policy work. Now doing her PhD at the University of Cape Town on the professionalization of the South African Police Service, Zuki also works as Deputy Chairperson and National Commissioner of the Public Service Commission of South Africa, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
She holds an MA in sociology from the University of Cape Town, a second MA in poverty and development from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, and an executive leadership training certificate in 21st century leadership from Harvard University. Millions of women and children in South Africa would benefit from a professionalized police service, as women and children are at the receiving end of societal crimes such as femicide, gender-based violence, assaults, rapes, murders, sexual harassment, theft, and hijackings.
Zukiswa has gained international, continental, and domestic recognition for her leadership in public policy and governance and has received multiple awards, including the US-based Humphrey Leadership award, the Africa Youth Awards 2021, the Africa 35.35 Leadership Laureate award, the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Youth Leaders award (2012 and 2016), and the University of Cape Town Vice-chancellor's award. She volunteers on the board of a non-profit independent think tank and mentors African women entrepreneurs to help them better participate in the digital economy. Zuki has a keen interest in finding solutions to public sector challenges and in sparking public service innovations and transformations.
