Edition April 2026

When Mpho Nawa speaks about leadership, development and service, he does so with the conviction of someone who has lived South Africa’s story from many angles as a teacher in exile, a policy thinker, a municipal leader, an economist and now, the Acting Head of Department (HOD) for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Gauteng.

Appointed as part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s strategic reshuffle of Heads of Department, Nawa’s role comes at a time when the province is sharpening its focus on accountability, performance and service delivery. Yet for him, the position is more than a title. It is an opportunity to build people, restore dignity and nurture talent in ways that infrastructure alone never can.

Preserving history and heritage

A critical part of the department’s mandate is preserving history and heritage. Through research institutions, indigenous games programmes and partnerships with cultural committees, the department works to ensure that communities do not lose their stories, traditions and collective memory. Annual cultural events and community-based initiatives help sustain heritage while creating opportunities for economic participation.

Transformation remains central to the department’s work. “We monitor targets for women, youth, people with disabilities, the elderly and military veterans on a monthly basis, making sure our programmes are designed so that no one is left behind,” says Nawa. 

“From developing women’s football and rugby to hosting the Golden Games for senior citizens and rolling out disability-focused sporting initiatives, inclusion is not an afterthought; it is a measurable commitment that guides our work every day”.

Gauteng’s corridor-based development model also plays a key role in identifying talent across rural and urban areas. “One thing I always say to my colleagues is that we cannot set targets and then sit back and make no effort to realise them,” he stresses.

 “Every target in our Annual Performance Plan must be achieved, because that is how we make a direct and positive impact in people’s lives”.

Collaboration

He emphasises that collaboration is essential. “Government cannot resolve society’s challenges alone. That is why we are intensifying public-private partnerships to deliver impactful and sustainable programmes.”

For  Nawa, leadership is deeply personal. He believes it is about influencing people to do positive things, appreciating those one works with, and understanding that no leader succeeds alone. Emotional intelligence, adaptability and trust, he says, are essential.

A firm believer in gender equity, Nawa says leadership structures must reflect the society they serve not merely to meet targets, but because diversity strengthens institutions.

He is also candid about the department’s funding constraints. “I fully understand the frustration of artists,” he says. “Budget pressures have had an impact, but part of my mandate is to rebuild trust and create platforms for artists to showcase their work”.

These platforms include market access initiatives and film incubation programmes that help young creatives connect with industry professionals.

“We may never be able to financially support everyone due to limited resources,” he explains, “but we try to ensure funding reaches township-based programmes and previously disadvantaged communities. Public funds must be accounted for every cent”.”

Looking ahead, Nawa believes stronger collaboration among artists and deeper partnerships with the private sector will reduce reliance on government alone and unlock more sustainable growth.

Building people

Nawa describes his department as “a beautiful space to build a country.” He is passionate about its power to foster social cohesion, nurture identity and unlock potential, particularly among young people.

“Sometimes building a country is not about physical infrastructure,” he reflects. “It is about building human beings helping them smile, giving them confidence to stand on a stage and sing, write poetry, debate ideas or express themselves through sport”

Under his leadership, the department continues to support artists, athletes and cultural practitioners not only through funding, but also through training, advocacy and infrastructure, such as mobile stages, sound systems, and large digital screens. These resources allow artists to perform professionally without carrying heavy production costs.

Background

Born and raised in Mohlakeng, Randfontein, Nawa’s early life was rooted in community and education. He completed both his primary and high school education there before political circumstances forced him into exile – a defining chapter that shaped his worldview and commitment to public service.

His journey took him across several African countries, including Zambia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, exposing him to diverse cultures, systems of governance and educational philosophies.

It was in Nigeria, where he began his professional life, training as a teacher. Teaching, he says, laid the foundation for his lifelong belief in human development as the cornerstone of nation-building. He later returned to South Africa and pursued further studies in the Western Cape, completing a junior degree, before moving to Zimbabwe to undertake a Master’s programme at the Southern African Policy Studies Institute. His academic journey continued at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he deepened his expertise in economics and policy.

Nawa’s career reflects a rare blend of activism, scholarship and governance. He worked for Transparency International, a non-governmental organisation focusing on anti-corruption advocacy and policy development.

Through this experience, Nawa developed a deeper understanding of ethical leadership and accountability. From there, he entered local government, where he  spent more than 15 years shaping policy and service delivery at municipal level. He served as Speaker and Chief Whip in local government before becoming District Mayor of what is now Mogale City. 

His leadership saw him elected as Deputy National President of the South African Local Government Association, where he participated actively in global local government movements and networks, representing South African municipalities on international platforms and participated in global government networks.

Nawa has had an extensive career in economic development and government administration. He served as Deputy Director-General in both the Mpumalanga and Gauteng Departments of Economic Development and held advisory roles within various provincial departments, including the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. 

In addition, he served as Head of Economic Research and Chief Economist for the City of Johannesburg, and later as a Lead Economist at the Land Bank – roles that strengthened his expertise in economic systems, development finance, and inclusive growth.