By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Gciniwe Fakudze,the newly appointed Mbabane Chief Executive Officer(CEO) is not entirely perfect like all human beings but,we were surprised to see men ganging-up against her saying “she is not fit to become a CEO merely for posting her vacation bikini pictures on social media”.

As the Swaziland News we have been following this matter to its finality because we couldn’t understand why the Councillors were seeking to sideline a candidate who passed interviews in favour of those who failed,the Housing and Urban Development Minister did justice by appointing Gciniwe Fakudze as the Chief Executive Officer(CEO).

While working for one of the local newspapers about fifteen(15) years ago, I remember a story where we exposed a similar plot with my editor.

Nelsiwe Shongwe,the then Minister of Information, Communication and Technology(ICT) was seeking to sideline Bongani ‘Sigcokosiyancinca’ Dlamini who had passed interviews to become the Swazi TV CEO, the Minister wanted to impose Stan Motsa who failed the interviews.

After successfully exposing the plot, Bongani Sigcokosiyancinca Dlanini later told me that,the King questioned the Minister and asked “what is the purpose of conducting interviews if the one who failed will then be appointed?”.

Sigcokosiyancinca became the Swazi TV after we exposed the then ICT Minister’s plot to sideline him despite being recommended by the Board of Directors and the independent Consultant after passing interviews.

Indeed,I had the similar question for the last few months while working on the Mbabane Manicipality story regarding the employment of the CEO.

Worth-noting,at some point I was told that,the Councillors were not obligated to employ Gciniwe Fakudze just because she passed interviews, then what was the purpose of conducting the interviews if the one who failed will then be appointed?.

As a publication,we have been criticizing Gciniwe Fakudze and we will continue to monitor her conduct as she takes-up such a huge public responsibility of heading the Capital City.

But criticizing a public figure does not mean we were going to watch while Mbabane Councillors ganged-up against a woman who passed interviews,the purposes of conducting interviews is to independently select the best candidate.

Therefore,whether you like or hate Gciniwe Fakudze,the fact that she passed interviews suggests that,the role of the Councillors was simple;implementing the findings of the report after the recruitment process.

In this country, we have adopted a tendency of taking decisions based on who we like or hate,unfortunately when holding public office,objectivity and fairness remain fundamental.

Perhaps,one can make an example with the job I’m doing; there are sources within the Tinkhundla system who provide me with information not because they support or agree with my political opinions but,they trust that I am capable of investigating and publishing the story accurately.

Therefore, as long as I’m doing my job to the public satisfaction whether you like or hate me, you might find yourself considering me for certain stories because you trust the product even though you hate the person.

In this regard,Mbabane Councillors failed to understand that investigating Gciniwe Fakudze’s ex-boyfriends and focusing on her private life was unnecessary, the bottom line is; she passed interviews with almost 100%.

Gciniwe Fakudze is young and deserves to enjoy her life by going-out with friends and take pictures,the problem starts when we expect a young Chief Executive Officer(CEO) to behave like an elderly and then, judge her based on her private life not performance as part of her contractual duties.

As Gciniwe Fakudze takes-up the position,we will judge her based on her performance and/or the development of the capital city including the management of public funds not private pictures, jealous and the desire to bring capable individuals down without substantive justification must stop as it delays development.

The battle that erupted ahead of the appointment of the CEO within the Mbabane Manicipality was never about ratepayers interest,syndicates were using the Mbabane Councilors to impose their preferred candidate but at least,the Minister did the right thing by implementing the report of the independent Consultant.

But in conclusion,let me advise the new CEO to be a leader and bring unity within the Mbabane Municipality,she must work professionally even with the Councillors who were opposed to her appointment.

In leadership, you don’t lead only those who agree with you but,even those who are opposed to you.

Gciniwe Fakudze must work with all Councillors because despite their differences,those Councilors were elected and represent the interests of ratepayers.

On the other hand,the Mbabane Councillors must welcome Fakudze and monitor her performance in the interests of the ratepayers,what is important is development not personal squabbles, we cannot reduce this country into bikini pictures.