Dr Mlondi Vilakazi is an academic and development practitioner with extensive experience in leadership, local economic development, and public sector research. He holds a PhD in Leadership from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where his research examined South Africa’s developmental state through the Black Industrialist Programme. He also holds an MCom, BA Honours, and BA degrees with a strong foundation in public management, politics, and development.

He currently serves at the Regional and Local Economic Development Initiative (RLEDi) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he is involved in programme leadership, project management, postgraduate supervision, and applied research linked to local and regional economic development and social entrepreneurhip. His role includes working closely with government departments, municipalities, and development partners on capacity-building initiatives, policy-oriented research, and development programmes.

Dr Vilakazi’s research and professional interests span local economic development, public–private partnerships, service delivery, project management, and the informal and social economy. His work is driven by a commitment to applied scholarship that strengthens governance, economic inclusion, and developmental outcomes in South Africa and the Global South.