BY THEMBA ZWANE
SIPHOFANENI – The Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) has reopened applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in a fresh attempt to fill the top leadership post that has remained vacant since the departure of its last substantive CEO, Vumile Dlamini.
According to the latest recruitment advert, applications for the position, referenced RSTPCEO2026, close on August 31, 2026. The successful candidate will report directly to the RSTP Board of Directors.
The recruitment comes after a prolonged leadership vacuum at the science and technology parastatal. Eswatini Observer reported on August 20 that the recruitment of a substantive CEO had restarted with a new advert after dragging on for nearly three years. The publication reported that Dlamini occupied the position until July 2023, when his contract expired.
Dlamini’s departure was followed by a succession of acting CEOs as efforts to appoint a permanent replacement repeatedly stalled. In 2025, Dr Andile Metfula served as acting CEO before leaving the organisation, while Nomvula Shongwe-Gulwako subsequently served in an acting capacity.
The leadership vacancy also became a subject of parliamentary scrutiny. In December 2025, ICT Minister Savannah Maziya told Parliament that the RSTP Board had recommended Zimbabwean technology executive Jeremiah Munembe for the substantive position, but Cabinet rejected the recommendation, with citizenship among the concerns raised. The minister said the absence of a permanent CEO had adversely affected the organisation’s performance.
In October 2025, Maziya also told the House of Assembly that her efforts to fill the position had failed and that she would await advice from Prime Minister Russell Dlamini on the appointment.
The latest advert therefore represents another attempt to bring permanent leadership to an institution with a significant mandate in Eswatini’s economic and technological development.
Established through the Royal Science and Technology Park Act of 2012, RSTP was created to promote science, technology and innovation, facilitate research and development and support the production and integration of new technologies.
RSTP describes itself as a hub for science and innovative technologies, with operations spanning areas including business incubation, biotechnology, information technology, the National Data Centre and investment facilitation. It was also designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) under the 2018 SEZ Act, with the broader objective of attracting foreign investment, promoting export-oriented growth, creating employment and facilitating technology transfer.
The CEO’s responsibilities under the RSTP Act include reporting to the Board, managing the Park’s funds, preparing budgets, submitting financial reports and accounts, mobilising and managing resources, and facilitating the sharing of local and international best practices in science and technology.
The successful candidate will therefore take charge of an institution expected to play a central role in Eswatini’s drive towards a knowledge-based economy, while also inheriting the challenge of restoring stability after years of uncertainty over its substantive leadership. The application deadline is August 31, 2026.
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(Courtesy Pic)
