By 
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has announced the appointment of two seasoned internal leaders to executive roles at South Africa’s Competition Commission. Mr Busikhosibakhe David Majenge and Ms Tamara Leigh Mokoka have been named as new Deputy Commissioners, effective 1 September 2026.
The strategic appointments are aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, driving policy continuity, and fortifying the executive core of one of the country’s key regulatory bodies.
Stabilizing Economic Agencies Under the 7th Administration
The move forms part of a broader executive strategy by the Government of National Unity’s 7th administration to stabilize key state agencies and fill high-level vacancies within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) portfolio.
Speaking on the announcement, Minister Tau emphasized that securing regulatory leadership is critical for the government to achieve its broader economic agenda.
“This will go a long way to enable the department to effectively deliver on industrial policy and economic growth mandates,” Minister Tau stated. “For the Competition Commission specifically, these appointments will boost continuity of its enforcement work and ensure accountability and build institutional capacity and credibility.”
The Competition Commission plays a frontline role in policing market dominance, preventing anticompetitive mergers, protecting consumers, and advancing inclusive participation across the South African economy.
Deep Institutional Expertise: Meet the Appointees
Both appointees bring substantial regulatory experience from within the Commission’s ranks:
1. Mr Busikhosibakhe David Majenge
- Background: An admitted attorney since 2000, Majenge holds a BProc degree from the University of Fort Hare and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of South Africa.
- Track Record: Majenge joined the Competition Commission in 2008 as Head of Corporate Compliance before progressing to Principal Legal Counsel in 2009. Since 2014, he has served as Divisional Manager of Legal Services and Chief Legal Counsel, alongside prior experience as Acting Deputy Commissioner.
2. Ms Tamara Leigh Mokoka
- Background: Mokoka holds an impressive academic grounding in economics, including a Bachelor of Economics from Rhodes University, followed by an Honours and a Master of Commerce in Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand.
- Track Record: As Divisional Manager for Mergers and Acquisitions at the Commission, Mokoka has been pivotal in evaluating major economic transactions and contributing directly to South African merger policy and enforcement standards.
Key Priorities Ahead
In their new roles, Majenge and Mokoka will work alongside the Competition Commissioner to oversee investigative, enforcement, and merger review functions. They will also play a crucial role in delivering on the broader statutory mandates outlined in the Competition Act—specifically expanding market access, curbing high market concentration, and protecting consumer welfare.
With these strategic appointments finalized, the market regulator enters its next operational chapter with reinforced leadership and a clear directive to support sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
