BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Eswatini government has endorsed former Minister of Agriculture Moses Vilakati to contest the position of African Union Commissioner, Agriculture Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) tenable in Addis Ababa.
Following the endorsement, the former minister, who also served as Ntontozi Member of Parliament for two terms, will become the first Liswati to apply for such a top post at a time when Eswatini is in good standing with AU.
Top positions that will soon be vacant at AU include that of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six Commissioners.
However, the Chairperson is contested by the East African countries, while the Deputy Chairperson is expected to come from the countries of the north.
The six Commissioners will come from Southern, Central and Western African countries. This has, therefore, opened a post for Eswatini to have a candidate.
If Vilakati is successfully elected, he will report to the Chairperson of the AU Commission.
As the AU Commissioner, Vilakati will be responsible for driving the implementation of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment policies, programs and strategies in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the associated medium-term plans and other key continental legal and policy frameworks.
Again, he will lead engagement with the AU Member States and strategic partners to deliver the portfolio’s continental priorities.
Furthermore, the Commissioner shall be highly committed to pan-African values and the African Union’s guiding principles.
Following are some of the Commissioner’s functions:
• Sets the overall goals of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment portfolio in line with the AU Agenda 2063;
• Sets annual performance targets for the Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment portfolio and reports on annual progress to Specialized Technical Committees and AU Policy Organs;
• Provides regular reports to the Chairperson of the Commission on portfolio delivery;
• Carries out effective regular engagement and collaboration with, and timely reporting to the PRC and respective subcommittees;
• Drives the implementation of the AU Institutional Reform Agenda by supporting reform initiatives in the department;
• Provides leadership and guidance to Directors in the implementation of policies and programmes within the portfolio;
• Engages with Member States to pursue the Commission’s work to promote the domestication of AU Agenda 2063 at the national level by the Member States;
• Leads partnership negotiations and resource mobilization with Strategic Partners to finance continental programmes and priorities;
• Co-ordinates Specialized Technical Committees to promote the achievement of the departmental mandate;
• Strengthens regional coordination, cooperation and integration initiatives and ensures an effective division of labour with Member States and Regional Economic Communities;
• Ensures effective collaboration in programme development with the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD);
• Collaborates with other members of the senior leadership team to ensure strategic coherence and overall synergy in the implementation of the Commission’s programme and the delivery of high-impact results for the continent;
• Cultivates a knowledge management culture through the promotion of research and publications that will ensure knowledge sharing and transfer within the department and with other departments across the Commission; and
• Supervises Directors and inspires high performance, teamwork and delivery across the portfolio.
ABOUT MOSES VILAKATI:
An experienced and results-driven leader with over three decades of development experience in agriculture, environmental conservation, and sustainable tourism. Demonstrated expertise in governmental administration, project management, and community mobilization and development across diverse settings. Has served as a Government Minister for two terms of five years each.
Vision:
A transformed, innovative and diversified agriculture that meets Africa’s safe food security and nutrition needs under sustainable environmental & climate change conditions, contributing to employment, better living standards, rural wealth, and continental economic growth.
EXECUTIVE PROFILE:
As Former Minister of Agriculture and Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Eswatini (skills, experience, goals, and accomplishments):
Key Skills:
Government Administration: Proven experience leading the ministries and implementing policies on improved agricultural practices and production, rural development and community mobilisation programs, on environmental issues.
Project Management: Successful track record in managing large-scale development projects, like the Komati Downstream Development Project, Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project and initiated the Mkhondvo Ngwavuma Augmentation Project (over 10,000 hectares of rural development projects in rural areas, changing the quality of life of rural Emaswati)
Community Mobilization: Expertise in engaging and empowering communities for sustainable development in Southern Africa (Initiative for Development in Africa under Kellogg Foundation International).
Key Experience:
• Ministerial Roles: Served as Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Minister of Agriculture, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable development.
• Project Director: Initiated and led agricultural development, transboundary water resource management, and community development initiatives at Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise.
• Policy Development: Contributed to the formulation and implementation of various policies related to agriculture, rural development, Blue Economy, environment, and tourism.
Work Experience:
• Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs: 2018-2023
• Minister of Agriculture: 2013-2018
• Project Director, Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE):
2004-2013
• Agribusiness Development Manager, EWADE: 2000-2004
• UNESWA. Project Director and Lecturer: 1989 – 2000
Academic Profile:
• MSc Agriculture (International Development): California Polytechnic State University, California, USA (1987-1990) Honors: Dean’s List
• BSc Agriculture: University of Swaziland (Eswatini) (1982-1985)
• Management College of Southern Africa 2006-2007) Attempted Master of Business Administration
Key Accomplishments:
• Agricultural Development: Improved staple food yields, developed water infrastructure, intensified livestock and fruit tree production, and promoted sustainable agricultural practices.
• Environmental Conservation: Initiated the development of the Big 5 conservation area, achieved significant reforestation goals, and promoted sustainable land and water management and pollution prevention.
• Community Empowerment: Implemented programs like “Carry Your Shopping Bag” to empower women to create a cleaner environment and uplift the livelihoods of communities.
• Tourism Development: Transformed Eswatini’s tourism sector into a competitive industry, attracting visitors who equalled the population of the country annually and creating employment opportunities. These attracted honours and awards for the country from reputable international organisations like Lonely Planet and others.