Tshabalala is the Director-General of South Africa’s Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, a position she has held since December 2020. Tshabalala is a specialist in public finances, debt management, and financing methods for social and economic development. 

Tshabalala started her career in the Swaziland Government’s Department of Finance, where she focused on development finance and the implementation and monitoring of internationally funded projects. In 2000, Tshabalala was appointed as the Chief Director of the Gauteng province’s Department of Finance and Economic Affairs. She was appointed head of the provincial treasury in 2006.  

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Accounting, a Master of Science Degree in Development Finance, and a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) degree. Her MBL focused on “The leadership styles and corporate entrepreneurial behavior in the provincial government”.