Parks Tau is a seasoned local government practitioner and former Councilor in the Johannesburg Metro. In 2000, Tau was appointed as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning, Transportation and Environment. From 2003 to 2011, Tau served as MMC of the Finance and Economic Development portfolio of the City of Johannesburg. In 2011, Tau was elected as the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg until 2016. He was the second democratically elected Mayor. In 2019, Tau was appointed to the position of Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. He served in this position until he was appointed to the Gauteng Cabinet in December 2020. He was appointed as Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in June of 2024. Tau has also served as part of Joburg Regional Executive as Secretary and as Chairperson. He is currently the Provincial Treasurer in Gauteng as elected at the African National Conference's (ANC) Provincial Conference in 2018. Tau has completed studies in public management from Regenesys Business School and holds a master’s degree in public policy and management from the University of London.