About Mandla

Mandla Isaacs is a political economist and public policy professional with extensive experience in policy development/analysis and strategy formulation in South African national government and the private sector. He has advised governments and businesses across Africa on a range of economic development and strategy topics.

Highlights of career achievements include:

– Influenced and articulated South Africa’s fiscal policy as lead writer of two budget speeches – the October 2017 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement Speech, and the February 2018 Budget Speech;
– Helped shape immigration policy to better attract investment and skills, and respond to African regional integration policy calling for free movement of Africans in Africa as a drafter of the 2016 Green Paper on International Migration;
– In addition to experience in South African national government, has advised governments in West and East Africa on economic development topics, including sector development strategy and state-owned enterprise governance.

Mandla has academic and practical expertise in public administration and governance; policymaking; economic development; economic policy; geopolitics; and private sector development. Excellent problem solving, communication, project management and leadership skills.

As a public speaker and facilitator, Mandla provides insight and analysis on South African and global public policy and economic issues as a regular contributor to SABC News, Radio 702, Power FM, SAFM and the Daily Maverick.

He is passionate about accelerating inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa.

Mandla was a member of the first cohort of Obama Leaders: Africa (2018) and one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans (2016, politics and government category).