- Former DPM Dr Sishayi Nxumalo, former UNESWA Vice Chancellor Professor Lydia Makhubu, former Eswatini Bank MD Stanley Matsebula, and former Mhlatane High School Head Teacher Michael Waqunga Dlamini are the ones honoured.
BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Four distinguished Emaswati, among them former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sishayi Nxumalo and former University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Vice Chancellor Professor Lydia Makhubu, have been honoured for their exceptional contributions to national development and their exemplary leadership across various fields.
The recognition took place at the Leadership Growth Forum (LGF) end-of-year dinner held at Mountain View in Mbabane, where leaders past and present gathered to celebrate the legacies of individuals whose influence continues to shape Eswatini’s social, educational, and economic landscape.
Among those honoured were former Eswatini Bank Managing Director Stanley Matsebula and former Mhlatane High School Head Teacher Michael Waqunga Dlamini. Each was commended for demonstrating unwavering dedication to service and for leaving a lasting impact on communities throughout the country.
Speaking during the ceremony, REDI Chief Executive Officer and LGF member Dr Sikhomba Gumbi emphasised the importance of recognising home-grown leadership while its contributors are still alive. He noted that the awardees represent a generation of leaders whose values, discipline, and sense of duty transformed countless lives.
“It is vital that we remember and honour these astute leaders,” Dr Gumbi said. “They changed the lives of many Emaswati and people from different parts of the world. The leadership we are celebrating is home-grown, culturally grounded, and deeply rooted in service.”
Dr Gumbi explained that the legacies highlighted during the evening embodied four defining themes: resilience in the face of daunting odds, service above self-interest, unwavering integrity and discipline, and visionary leadership fuelled by purpose and a commitment to uplift others.
He added that the project documenting these leaders’ journeys drew on extensive interviews, archival research, and testimonies from families and communities. This collective effort, he said, stands not only as a heartfelt tribute but also as a valuable learning resource for the next generation of leaders.
A recurring theme in the evening’s reflections was the role of family upbringing in shaping these remarkable individuals. Many of the honourees credited their early foundations—rooted in respect, humility, and responsibility—with guiding their later achievements.
The LGF pledged to intensify its efforts to celebrate influential leaders while they can still witness the appreciation of the nation. The Forum believes that recognising leadership in real time strengthens national pride, encourages ethical service, and inspires younger generations to emulate such values.
The gathering concluded with renewed commitment to preserving Eswatini’s leadership heritage and promoting a culture of recognition and mentorship. Guests described the event as uplifting, timely, and an important reminder of the power of purposeful leadership in building a resilient and prosperous society.
(Courtesy)
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