REV. MBALO RETURNS TO DSD NATIONAL OFFICE WITH A PASSION FOR SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE

By Precious Mupenzi

• ⁠Seasoned public servant and respected faith leader, Reverend Msindisi Mbalo, has rejoined the DSD as Director for Institutional Performance Assessment and Reporting.
• “My motto is simple: working with agility, passion, and dedication will produce good results,” Rev Mbalo
• The department is confident that Rev. Mbalo will play a pivotal role in enhancing performance management and driving impactful change.

The Department of Social Development has welcomed back a seasoned public servant and respected faith leader, Reverend Msindisi Mbalo, who rejoined the national office on 1 April 2025 as Director for Institutional Performance Assessment and Reporting.

Rev. Mbalo, an ordained Pastor with the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, brings with him over two decades of experience in public service, grounded in his deep commitment to social justice, ethical leadership, and evidence-based decision-making. Originally from Kagiso in the West Rand region of Gauteng, he began his journey with the Department of Social Development in 1997 as an Assistant Director in the Population and Development unit.

His professional path saw him take on increasingly strategic roles. In 2003, he was appointed Director for Population and Development in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development (DSD). Over the years, he served in various senior management capacities within KZN DSD, including in Sustainable Livelihoods and, most recently, as Director for Institutional Performance Assessment and Program Evaluation (IPAPE), commonly known as Monitoring and Evaluation.

Under his leadership, the department in KwaZulu-Natal achieved significant milestones, including a clean audit opinion and an impressive improvement in performance outcomes—from below 50% to over 90%, with many districts achieving 100% compliance.

Rev. Mbalo’s academic achievements are equally impressive. He holds postgraduate qualifications in theology and social sciences, specialising in sociology and social science research methods, which he obtained from the University of Natal, Wits, and Stellenbosch University. He has also participated in international doctoral programs on quantitative and qualitative research methods at the University of Michigan in the United States.

His return to the national office follows a cross-transfer with Dr. Bongi Dube-Owusu, former Director for Women and Gender Equity. Rev. Mbalo says he looks forward to reuniting with former colleagues and establishing strong working relationships across the department.

“My motto is simple: working with agility, passion, and dedication will produce good results,” he said.

Married and a father to three boys, Rev. Mbalo is known for blending his professional excellence with a strong moral compass and a compassionate approach to leadership.

With his wealth of experience and commitment to service, the department is confident that Rev. Mbalo will play a pivotal role in enhancing performance management and driving impactful change.