BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – Eswatini has secured a place among the final contenders for the top leadership position of the global sugar industry after Nontobeko Pearl Mabuza advanced to the final three in the race for Executive Director of the International Sugar Organization.
Mabuza’s campaign ended at the International Sugar Organization Special Council Meeting in London on Tuesday after she failed to secure the required two-thirds majority from the organisation’s 84 member countries.
Despite not attaining the votes needed to take the position, Eswatini Sugar described her progression to the final three as a significant achievement that placed the country’s expertise, experience and vision before governments and industry stakeholders from around the world.
Mabuza was among five candidates shortlisted for the position in February and successfully advanced through the rigorous selection process to reach the final stage alongside candidates from Mauritius and Brazil.
Eswatini Sugar CEO Banele Nyamane said the organisation was proud of Mabuza’s performance in what had been a highly competitive international contest.
“Mabuza presented a compelling vision for a responsive and member-focused ISO and generated strong engagement from governments and industry stakeholders from across all regions,” Nyamane said.
He said the campaign had gone beyond the election itself by creating an opportunity for Eswatini to demonstrate its capabilities and strengthen its relationships within the global sugar sector.
“It reinforced the country’s standing as a respected and constructive participant within the sector. It also allowed our candidate and the local industry to build relationships that would continue to benefit the industry in the long term,” he said.
Mabuza brings more than 20 years of experience in trade policy, development finance, market access advocacy and multilateral engagement to the international stage.
Her career includes 10 years working on strategy and stakeholder engagement within the Eswatini sugar industry, as well as another decade with the European Commission.
Her experience placed her candidature at the intersection of key issues facing the global sugar industry, including trade, market access, development and international cooperation.
Nyamane said Eswatini Sugar looked forward to working with the incoming Executive Director of the International Sugar Organization to strengthen cooperation and promote a sustainable and prosperous future for the global sugar sector.
The Eswatini Sugar CEO also expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Mswati III, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, diplomatic missions, industry partners and member countries that supported and engaged with Mabuza’s candidature.
Nyamane said the campaign had demonstrated Eswatini’s commitment to international cooperation and its active participation in shaping conversations affecting the global sugar industry.
The Eswatini delegation at the special meeting included Nyamane, Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, who represented Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo, and Eswatini High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Thandazile Mbuyisa.
Mabuza’s top-three finish has provided an international platform for an Eswatini professional to compete at the highest level of the global sugar sector, while creating further relationships and opportunities for the country’s sugar industry.
(Courtesy Pic)
