Mbabane – Dr Nozizwe Mulela, Managing Director of Eswatini Bank, opened up in a recent interview with Executive Leadership Magazine about her journey from law to banking, the influence of her cultural heritage, and her mission to empower women and youth in Eswatini and beyond.
Dr Mulela traces her leadership foundation to her upbringing in Eswatini, where respect, loyalty, and humility are core values. Raised in a family that prioritised education—her mother was the first woman in Eswatini to earn a PhD and serve as Vice Chancellor—she pursued studies in Lesotho and South Africa, gaining a broader perspective on leadership and service.
Reflecting on her career shift from law to corporate banking, Dr Mulela explained that she sought roles with greater strategic influence. While law sharpened her critical thinking and communication skills, she wanted to move beyond advisory functions to decision-making leadership.
As the first female Managing Director of Eswatini Bank, Dr Mulela describes her appointment as a milestone not only for her but for women across the country. She sees it as proof that women can rise to leadership in traditionally male-dominated sectors and calls for more systemic support to ensure women’s voices and leadership roles become the norm.
Under her leadership, the bank has launched a digital transformation focused on increasing access to banking services in rural areas and strengthening cybersecurity. She also prioritises people development, mentoring, and creating inclusive environments where teams can thrive.
Dr Mulela shared her belief that integrity and accountability are essential at both personal and organisational levels. She encourages transparent leadership and the establishment of ethical frameworks that empower employees to uphold these values.
Beyond banking, she founded the NM Leadership Network to mentor emerging leaders across Africa, particularly women and youth, aiming to nurture confident, ethical leadership that blends traditional values with modern challenges.
On balancing tradition and ambition, Dr Mulela encourages young African women to embrace their cultural roots while pursuing bold leadership roles, saying these identities are complementary rather than conflicting.
As patron of FAWE Eswatini and board member of FAWE Africa, she continues to advocate for girls’ education, viewing it as a crucial step towards addressing socio-economic challenges like poverty and gender inequality.
Outside her professional life, Dr Mulela enjoys road running and finds strength in quiet moments of reflection and prayer, grounding her leadership in purpose and resilience.
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