Mpho Franklyn Parks Tau (born 1970) is a South African politician who was appointed as Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition from 3 July 2024.

[citation needed] He was 24 years old when he was elected regional secretary of the ANC in Johannesburg and in 1996, he went on to serve on the Southern Metropolitan Local Council's Urban Development Committee.

[7] Tau easily defeated a challenge from the DA's Mmusi Maimane, winning with over 160 votes to become the second mayor of the Johannesburg metro.

[13] In 2012, it was reported that Tau's wife, Pilisiwe Twala-Tau received a stake in a Capitec Bank black economic empowerment deal in 2006 worth around R10 million to manage the Johannesburg council's R2-billion liability redemption fund, led by Regiments Capital.

[22] Shortly afterwards, Tau was appointed as Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the cabinet of Cyril Ramaphosa.

[28] On 26 January 2023, it was announced that Tau would be sworn in as a member of the National Assembly of South Africa amid speculation that he would be appointed to cabinet as a minister.

[31] A month later, he returned to the position of Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs following a cabinet reshuffle done by Ramaphosa.

[32] He was defeated for re-election in the 2024 South African general election, however was later brought back to Parliament due to the resignation of Cyril Ramaphosa.

He took part in the 2013 edition of the Mayoral Charity Golf Day[34] which raised over R1 million for various non-governmental organizations that assist in improving the lives of those suffering with HIV/AIDS.