Growing up in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, Zukiswa Mqolomba dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, inspired by her grandmother, a nurse. In matric, however, she discovered a fascination with social sciences and realised her true calling: serving society. She holds multiple master’s degrees from the University of Sussex and the University of Cape Town. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology and Development, equipping her to understand and strengthen South Africa’s public sector. As deputy chairperson and national commissioner of the Public Service Commission, Zukiswa champions ethical governance, accountability, and constitutional values. She engages directly with government leaders, oversees service delivery, and mentors emerging public servants, ensuring that people — especially those who are marginalised — remain at the centre of public service. Every day involves oversight, leadership, and capacity-building, and what she enjoys most is witnessing tangible change: a professional, ethical, and responsive public sector that shapes lives. Zukiswa draws inspiration from the principle of “Batho Pele” – People First. She has designed fellowship programmes for emerging leaders, trained public servants across Africa, and created thought leadership platforms that redefine service excellence. Her guiding lessons are clear: meaningful change is never easy, but perseverance, resilience, and vision make it possible. She lives by the advice: “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called,” and “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in Sociology, Sociology Department, Faculty of Humanities, University of Cape Town (*currently on hold)
- Ph.D. in Development, Development Studies Department, Faculty of Economics, Development and Business Sciences, University of Mpumalanga (*in progress)
- Master of Arts in Poverty and Development, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex (*Chevening Scholar)
- Master of Social Sciences (Research only), University of Cape Town (*Mandela Rhodes Scholar)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Workplace Change & Labour Law Studies, University of Cape Town (*Johnson & Johnson Scholar)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences in Labour, Organisational Psychology and Human Resource Management, University of Cape Town
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Spearheading the PSC Thoughtleaders Forum for the whole Public Service in South Africa, as the brainchild of Plenary, through my office as the deputy chairperson.
- Spearheading the development of the PSC Constitutional Values and Principles Fellowship Programme for young emerging public servant leaders, through partnership with the Chandler Institute of Governance, our Singaporean partners.
- Overseeing the development of the implementation oversight plan of the PSC for the Professionalisation Framework adopted by Cabinet in October 2022.
- Overseeing the development of the PSC State of Public Service Report for 2025/2026.
