Yonwaba Mfengwana CA(SA), 34

Yonwaba Mfengwana is a Chartered Accountant and Project Advisor at the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC), a specialist agency of South Africa’s National Treasury. With an MPhil in Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, she is a dynamic force in public finance, infrastructure development, and governance reform, driven by a deep commitment to ethical leadership and sustainable development.

At GTAC, Yonwaba provides strategic advisory on large-scale infrastructure transactions and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) across all spheres of government. Her work spans feasibility assessments, financial modelling, procurement strategy, and negotiation support for projects that directly impact communities, from student housing and water infrastructure to energy and office accommodation . She has advised institutions such as the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the African Development Bank, and multiple municipalities, ensuring that infrastructure investments are fiscally sound, inclusive, and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Her influence extends to shaping national policy. Yonwaba has contributed to PPP regulatory reforms in collaboration with the World Bank, National Treasury and the Office of the Accountant-General, including the development of disclosure frameworks and amendments to norms and standards for student accommodation. She also serves as a liaison officer for the G20 Finance Track, working alongside the South African Reserve Bank to advance global financial cooperation.

Previously, Yonwaba served as a Senior Financial Analyst at the National Treasury, where she led capacity-building initiatives for 127 municipalities. She co-developed training materials for the Certificate and Diploma in Municipal Finance, supported the implementation of the Municipal Finance Management Internship Programme, and helped professionalise local government finance through policy and regulatory reform.

Her career began in the private sector, with roles at Shell South Africa and Momentum Investments, where she gained experience in financial reporting, real estate, and investment management. At the Auditor-General of South Africa, she was selected for the Centre of Excellence in Financial Services and played a key role in auditing complex financial instruments and investigating high-profile transactions during the Commission of Inquiries into state-owned entities..

Yonwaba is a Certified Public-Private Partnership Professional (CP3P) and serves on the Audit and Risk Committee of Equal Education, a civil society organisation advocating for quality basic education. She was also a mentor and board course marker at the University of Cape Town, contributing to the development of future Chartered Accountants.

Her work is grounded in a belief that finance can be a tool for justice, equity, and transformation. Whether advising on billion-rand infrastructure deals or mentoring young professionals, Yonwaba brings integrity, insight, and a passion for impact. Her career is a blueprint for how technical excellence, ethical leadership, and a commitment to the public good can converge to build a better, more sustainable future.