Mbabane: Former Eswatini Bank Managing Director (MD) Zakhele Lukhele has been appointed the new chairperson of Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE) Board of Directors.
Lukhele’s appointment to the position was announced by the Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza on Monday at the Ministry’s boardroom.
Lukhele was appointed along with Bongani Masuku who is also the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Siboniso Masilela who will be representing the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
Other members are Sifiso Khumalo who will be representing the Ministry of Finance, Siboniso Madlopha, Oswald Mangwenzi and Tebukhosi Dlamini who are returning members from the previous board.
Minister Mabuza commissioned the new board to hit the ground running and work towards the mandate given to them. Mabuza said as they are working they should remember to have the ministry and the government’s interests while they are serving at ESWADE.
He said the new board of directors should work towards developing local farmers. He said currently ESWADE is busy with the LUSIP projects in the Lubombo region and the ministry has also prepared that they go to the Shiselweni region to commence the construction of the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma dam.
The Minister said it was important to note that wherever ESWADE goes must leave the lives of Emaswati better than before, more especially to assist them to produce their own products for subsistence and commercial purposes.
Minister Mabuza highlighted on the project that was launched last year dubbed ‘Let’s eat what we produce.’ He emphasized that the mandate given to ESWADE works hand in hand with this project that was launched in collaboration with Members of Parliament in different constituencies. He said this projects aims that each and every homestead must have its own livestock, a garden and an orchard.
Mabuza said the new board should ensure that the subventions received by ESWADE through the ministry of Agriculture must be utilized to assist the farmers so to see them developing and becoming much better than before.
The newly appointed Chairperson said as the new board they take the task given to them with honor and to ensure that the mandate and the expectations from ESWADE are achieved. Lukhele said ESWADE is a very large company and the impact it has on the lives of Emaswati is much noticeable.
He said it was important for the board to know what needs to be done and the direction to follow. He promised that as a board they will work hard and with a good spirit. He said he was hoping they will be able to work together with ESWADE management.
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