Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini of Eswatini has emphasized the need for a deeper transformation of leadership in the country. During the Kingdom Leadership and National Transformation meeting hosted by Campus Crusade for Christ Eswatini, Dlamini called on leaders to adopt a renewed mindset, embracing responsibility and service. The meeting, held at the Hilton Garden Inn, featured Professor Delanyo Adadevoh, Campus Crusade International Senior Global Vice-President, as the keynote speaker. Dlamini highlighted the significance of Adadevoh's visit, citing his influence on his life and many Emaswati.
Dlamini expressed his gratitude to Adadevoh, whose life and ministry have demonstrated the importance of obedience and dedication to one's calling. He recalled Adadevoh's testimony that prioritizing God's work would, in turn, lead to God addressing one's needs. The Prime Minister stated that Adadevoh's visit presented an opportunity to ignite a wider movement of leadership transformation across Eswatini, extending beyond the church to workplaces, communities, and the broader public sphere. This movement aims to develop leaders capable of contributing to holistic transformation and strategic leadership.
The Prime Minister welcomed the work of the International Leadership Foundation, which focuses on developing leaders across Africa. He noted that Eswatini has been pursuing a Pan-African vision centered on responsibility and developing a new mindset among its people. Dlamini's engagement with Adadevoh and his team has strengthened his conviction that the visit could catalyze a broader leadership transformation program in the country. The government hopes to facilitate further engagements between Adadevoh and Eswatini's leadership, as well as larger national gatherings involving leaders and communities.
Dr. Osborn Hleta, Campus Crusade for Christ Eswatini Associate, shared his personal journey of faith and leadership during the meeting. He emphasized the importance of discipleship in developing leaders of integrity capable of driving meaningful transformation in Africa. Hleta's encounter with Campus Crusade's discipleship teachings changed the direction of his life, leading him to recognize a significant gap within the church. He noted that Christians could grow older in the faith without necessarily developing the character associated with Christian discipleship.
Hleta linked his experience to the biblical instruction in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples, rather than merely converts. He applied for theological studies and received provisional acceptance for a Master of Divinity program at the Nairobi International School of Theology. Despite some lecturers questioning his decision, Hleta pursued his calling and later served in the church in Eswatini and across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. His current focus has shifted towards leadership development, identifying another major gap across Africa.
Hleta emphasized that leadership development is not only about acquiring technical knowledge or holding positions of authority but about developing people whose character can withstand the responsibilities placed upon them. He underscored the importance of education in transforming a person's character, citing Adadevoh's earlier lesson that education alone does not necessarily achieve this. For Hleta, this highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to leadership development.
The engagement between Dlamini, Adadevoh, and Eswatini's leadership could mark the beginning of a more deliberate effort to strengthen leadership development in the country. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to those who helped facilitate Adadevoh's visit, particularly Dr. Naton Kamanga. He stated that the visit was not just an event but a seed of what God still desires to do among the people of Eswatini.
Key points
- Eswatini's Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini calls for a deeper transformation of leadership in the country.
- The Kingdom Leadership and National Transformation meeting was hosted by Campus Crusade for Christ Eswatini.
- Discipleship is critical to developing leaders of integrity capable of driving meaningful transformation in Africa.
