Dr Lesedi Matlala
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Age:
32
Project Name/Description:
Many people have opinions about politics and government, but few actively engage with how public policies are developed, implemented and evaluated. As a senior lecturer in public policy, monitoring & evaluation, Dr Matlala is helping students bridge that gap by encouraging critical engagement with governance, accountability, technology, and public service delivery. Through his teaching, research, and community engagement initiatives, Dr Matlala exposes students to contemporary policy challenges and to the role of technologies, such as social media and digital governance tools, in strengthening citizen participation and evidence-informed decision-making. “I encourage students to think critically about policy challenges and how technology can be used to improve governance and service delivery,” he says. “I want them to recognise that they can contribute meaningfully to democratic processes, whether through research, community engagement, or active citizenship.” One of Dr Matlala’s recent initiatives, developed in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, involved a mock council programme hosted in the City’s Council Chambers. The initiative provided students with first-hand exposure to municipal decision-making processes, allowing them to debate public issues and experience how local government deliberates on matters affecting communities.
