Yoliswa Makhasi

Research Fellow

Yoliswa Makhasi is a research fellow and the head of the Public Service Reform Programme at the New South Institute (NSI). She previously served as the Director General of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and as Head of the Department for Community Safety in the Gauteng Provincial Government. With her appointment to the NSI, Makhasi brings extensive experience in governance, policy development, strategic leadership, and public sector performance.

Makhasi completed her Master’s in Public Policy and Management from the University of Manchester (UK) and holds an MPhil in Management Coaching from Stellenbosch University. She has also earned various executive certifications from prestigious institutions including Wits, GIBS, and the London School of Economics.

At NSI, Makhasi leads initiatives focused on public service reform and professionalisation of the civil service, contributing to South Africa’s ongoing public service reform agenda.

Publications

Policy Documents

• Chipkin, I., Coetsee, S., & Makhasi, Y. (2025). Retiring the 1994 generation of public servants: From a party-state public service to one ready for multi-party democracy (Government in Numbers – Issue #01). New South Institute.

Editorials

• Makhasi, Y. (2025, July 22) Public service reform must be central to SA’s national dialogue. BusinessLive.
• Makhasi, Y. (2025, May 18) GNU must prioritise implementing Public Service Act amendments. City Press.