Mbabane- Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Appolo Maphalala, has congratulated the Municipal Council of Manzini for securing the bid to host the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Global exchange programme, noting that this is the first time in the organisation’s 100-year history that the event will be held in Africa.
Speaking during the ICMA exchange programme media launch, Maphalala described the victory of securing the bid to host the global city leaders as a vote of confidence in the Municipal Council of Manzini, adding that the bid was highly contested.
He congratulated the council team for their effort, saying hosting the programme presented opportunities for growth and global networking.
The minister further urged town clerks across the country to emulate the example set by the municipal council of Manzini by giving leadership opportunities for young professionals.
He made this appeal after commending Phumlani Matse, the Municipal Council of Manzini’s Information and Communications Manager, who served as programme director on the day. Maphalala said it was the first time he met Matse but he was happy that the city of Manzini is giving opportunities to young people to serve in leadership positions.
Maphalala also praised the council’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Lungile Dlamini, for advancing her education and graduating with a PhD and further encouraged other clerks to follow suit, stressing that academic knowledge enhances decision-making.
He concluded by urging clerks to seize the upcoming ICMA Exchange Programme as a chance to learn from international delegates and strengthen local governance.
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