Driving Transformation In South Africa's Public Sector | Women Leaders Across The Board

By Jessie Taylor

South Africa has made notable strides in promoting gender equality within the public sector, building on the progressive values enshrined in the Constitution and reinforced by legislation such as the Employment Equity Act and the Public Service Act.

As of 2024, women constitute 42.8% of the National Assembly and 44.4% of the National Council of Provinces, maintaining one of the highest levels of parliamentary representation for women globally. However, challenges remain. Female representation in the Cabinet has declined slightly to 43.8%, and women currently occupy 43% of senior management positions in the public service - a dip from

45.3% in 2022. These figures highlight the persistent barriers to upward mobility in leadership and executive roles, particularly for women of colour.

Despite these setbacks, women continue to be powerful agents of change across all levels of public administration. Their impact is visible in policy reform, institutional transformation, digital governance, and inclusive service delivery. These leaders are reshaping the demographics of leadership and its culture - one that increasingly values collaboration, accountability, and social justice.

Notable appointments in recent years include Advocate Shamila Batohi, South Africa’s first female national director of public prosecutions, and Phindile Baleni, director-general in the presidency, who was the first woman to hold that role. These trailblazers join a growing cohort of women driving performance, integrity, and citizen-centric governance across departments and state institutions. These three dynamic leaders are redefining what leadership looks like in South Africa’s public sector through their dedication, strategic foresight, and commitment to transformation.

Unathi Sithebe

Unathi Sithebe plays a pivotal role in shaping how the South African government communicates with its citizens. As the Chief Operating Officer of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), she is responsible for strategic planning, operational management, and ensuring consistent, transparent messaging across all government departments. Her leadership supports the vision of a government that is both people-centred and information-driven.

Ms Sithebe brings over two decades of experience in government operations, having served in various senior roles in communication and policy implementation. Since joining GCIS, she has focused on enhancing citizen engagement through improved coordination of government messaging and the integration of digital communication platforms. Her efforts have been critical in driving campaigns that address public health, education, and gender equality.

Ms Sithebe’s approach is deeply rooted in collaboration. She works with departments, the media, and civil society to ensure government communication is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. She is also known for championing mentorship and development programmes for young professionals in the public service, especially women and youth.

She has spearheaded key reforms to align government communication with the National Development Plan and the District Development Model. Her leadership has strengthened public trust and helped to modernise South Africa’s approach to governance in the digital age.

Yoliswa Makhasi

Yoliswa Makhasi is the Director-General of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), a central institution that builds a capable, ethical, and developmental state. Appointed in 2020, Ms Makhasi leads a team tasked with driving service delivery transformation, professionalising the public sector, and embedding a culture of accountability within government institutions.

With a public administration and social policy background, Ms Makhasi has held numerous leadership roles, including in local government and labour relations. Her experience enables her to bridge high-level policymaking with practical implementation - a skill critical in a country grappling with service delivery backlogs and governance challenges.

At DPSA, Ms Makhasi has overseen the rollout of initiatives such as the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit, and the ongoing implementation of the Batho Pele Principles. Her leadership has been instrumental in introducing digital governance tools to increase transparency and service efficiency.

She advocates for youth and women in government, often calling for increased training and career progression investment. Through her efforts, the DPSA is modernising the public sector to meet 21st-century demands while reaffirming public service values.

Busisiwe Mavuso

Busisiwe Mavuso is the CEO of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), a key organisation that represents the country’s most influential corporations. Ms Mavuso’s work directly intersects with public policy, economic governance, and national development strategies - placing her at the nexus of public-private collaboration.

Appointed CEO in 2019, Ms Mavuso is a qualified accountant with extensive experience in finance, corporate strategy, and governance. Prior to BLSA, she served as Managing Director of the Black Management Forum and held senior roles at Eskom and the Association of Black Accountants of South Africa. Her expertise makes her a trusted voice on issues ranging from state-owned enterprise reform to economic transformation.

At BLSA, Ms Mavuso advocates for inclusive growth, ethical business practices, and structural reforms that improve the public sector’s efficiency. She has worked closely with the government on key initiatives, including Eskom’s unbundling, infrastructure investment strategies, and youth employment programmes.

Ms Mavuso is known for her fearless commentary and public accountability. She uses her platform to challenge corruption and poor governance, often defending the private sector’s role in economic recovery while demanding higher standards from state institutions. Her work exemplifies the kind of bridge-building leadership needed to transform South Africa’s economy.

From communication and policy to governance and accountability, these women are reshaping South Africa’s public sector. Their leadership not only reflects progress in gender equity but also ensures that transformation is both people-centred and future-focused — an essential path forward for the country’s development.

Sources: Stats SA, GCIS, Vital Voices, Mining Indaba, New South Institute