… Mvuselelo Fakudze new Business Eswatini President
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE-“Opportunity to create self-sufficiency exists in a range of sectors across this country. In ICT, in energy, in food security, in health care and education, the entrepreneurs of this country can safeguard Eswatini’s future by limiting its dependence on others,”
These were sentiments shared by Economic Officer Christopher Wall who was representing Chargé d’ affaires Earl Miller at the Business Eswatini Annual General Meeting held at the Royal Villas.
Miller said the world order is becoming more, rather than less, complex and a country which can control its own needs can control its own destiny.
“If the government and the business community here can work to meet these needs, especially in close collaboration with labour as we have seen they will have laid a foundation for secure and sustainable growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, Standard Bank Eswatini Chief Executive Mvuselelo Fakudze was elected as the new President of Business Eswatini.
When accepting the Presidency, Fakudze stated that he was honoured and pleased to have been elected for this crucial role.
“I am extremely honoured to be elected to serve and ensure that I work for the betterment of business in the country. This journey will be characterised by both challenges and massive opportunities, which I believe we will work collectively to exploit,” he said.
Andrew le Roux, the former President noted that it gives him great pleasure to pass the baton to someone as competent as Fakudze. He further noted some of his challenges and achievements, while he was the President.
“My highlight over the past couple of years has undoubtedly been working with the government during the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe how we came out of the pandemic must really be commended. Yes, we suffered personal losses, and businesses were affected, but the country is now on a sustainable growth path, which is thanks to the partnership between the private sector and the government,” he said.
BE Chief Executive Officer Nathi Dlamini noted that the new President and board members have their work cut out for them as the world of business has never been as unpredictable as it is now.
“The world is fast changing and one can hardly keep pace. The complexity of the rules of doing business, in the country and in the region means that one cannot afford to walk alone unaided. More pressure is being brought to bear on businesses by way of endless regulations, which at times threaten to choke the life out of many businesses,” he said.
