From Diploma to Master’s: Stephen Khumalo’s story in the civil service

28 May 2024

Stephen Khumalo joined the civil service in 1990, as a Diploma holder. After 34 years of service, he now holds a Master’s Degree in Parasitology as well as the title of Principal Environmental Health Officer with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. In this week’s civil servants’ blog, Khumalo shares about his journey in public service.

Government Communication (GC): “When did you join the Civil Service?”

Stephen Khumalo (SK): “I joined The Civil Service on September 10, 1990. My initial position was that of Health Inspector in the Ministry of Health.”

GC: “What is your current job now and what does it entail?”

SK: “My current job is that of Principal Environmental Health Officer with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. This is a single tone post that was established to cater for environment and public health matters affecting Urban Local Government. The job entails representing the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in all environment and public health matters as may be guided by the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and that of Natural Resources and Energy. In the Ministry, I also apply the Provisions of the Public Health Act, Cemetery Act of 1970 and The Animal Pounds Act of 1966.”

GC: “Before this role, what other positions did you occupy in the Service?”

SK: “Before my current position I was a Health Inspector in the Hhohho Region within the Ministry of Health from September 1990 to October 1995. I was then transferred on promotion to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in October 1995 where I was stationed at the headquarters as Senior Health Inspector. With reforms in the Environmental Health Sector, this role was then upgraded in August 2010 to Principal Environmental Health Officer, a position I hold to date.”

GC: “So far, what would you say the biggest highlight/achievement of your Civil Service journey has been?”

SK: “Among my biggest highlights/ achievements have been the opportunity to serve as Chief Executive Officer/Town Clerk, albeit on acting capacity for the Municipalities of Pigg’s Peak in 1998, Ezulwini in 2000 and Ngwenya Town Board in 2014, where I was in charge of all administrative functions of these urban local governments. The other one is that of being appointed by the Honourable Minister to be the first Chairperson of the then Malkerns Town Board in 2013 and later, Vice Chairperson of the Matsapha Town Council in 2018.”

GC: “What is the biggest project that you have been involved in working for Government?”

SK: “There are a number of major projects where I have played significant roles such as serving in technical committees during the development of the Maguga Dam development; the formulation of the National Forest Policy; the development of the first Solid Waste Management Strategy in 2000; the development of the Environment Management Act of 2002; and the procurement of basic solid waste management equipment for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development worth E11.2 million through financial assistance from the Republic of China on Taiwan in 2016. I’ve also had the honour of serving in several committees of technical experts for Environment and Occupational Safety and Health at different intervals.”

GC: “What do you love the most about working in Government?”

SK: “Working for central Government has been one of the most fulfilling moments in my life in that I have been able to be part of national policy formulation and guidance, essential service provision as well as opportunities to augment provisional capacity through local and international training. I joined the civil service with a basic diploma in Health Inspection but through Government, I have acquired an additional Diploma in Sanitary Engineering from the University of Mauritius, a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health Management from the University of Swaziland and later on, a Master’s Degree in Parasitology. I have also travelled to a number of countries worldwide to participate in international meetings, conferences and training.”

GC: “What do you love the most about your job and profession?”

SK: “This job is strategic to the provision of preventive medicine and public safety. The profession emphasises the importance of environmental safety and public health. It is versatile and remains relevant at all times, from initial initiatives to public health to the current phenomena of global warming and climate change. The profession is very rich in diverse skills from public health, port health, infrastructure development, disaster preparedness, vector control, environment management, water and sanitation. One can develop many other skills and professions with this background.”

GC: “What would you say are some of the challenges that come with your job?”

SK: “Some of the challenges are that this profession is one of the least understood in the civil service and thus it is less incentivised and resourced. This is evidenced by the nominal opportunities availed to members of the profession in national initiatives to drive strategic institutional, policy and economic development.”

GC: “What lessons have you learnt working for Government?”

SK: “Working for Government has taught me to appreciate working with a varied range of stakeholders at different levels thus enhancing my interpersonal skills. From this experience, I am now able to relate with people at all levels.”

GC: “What advice would you have for someone who wants to work for Government?”

SK: “I would advise that he/she put first serving the country before the aspiration to enrich oneself. One should be patient in serving the public and rewards then come automatically with honesty and consistent, efficient service delivery. My peers in the profession are already in the apex leadership in the private sector but I have remained within the civil service as a motivated and loyal servant.”

GC: “What are your aspirations for the future in Government?”

SK: “My aspirations for the future in Government, like any other servant, is obviously to get the opportunity to serve at the highest level in order to drive and influence national strategy and sectoral policy development. This could be at both the civil service and/ or legislature.”

--Ends—

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Supply and demand determine property prices- Bhekithemba Matsebula

30 April 2024

Bhekithemba Matsebula is the Director of Housing and Human Settlements in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. In our latest civil servants’ blog, he talks about the regulation of the real estate sector, township development as well as plans to implement a Green City concept as means to adapt to climate change effects.

Government Communications (GC): “When did you join the Civil Service?”

Bhekithemba Matsebula (BM): “I joined the Civil Service on 30th June 1997 as an Assistant Immigration Officer under the Ministry of Home Affairs.”

GC: “What is your current job now and what does it entail?”

BM: “My current job is that of Director, Housing and Human Settlements tenable in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Appointed in March 2016, my job entails ensuring that the Department of Housing and Human Settlements performs at its optimal in an efficient and effective manner. Reporting to the Principal Secretary, my responsibilities include: managing the planning and growth of housing and human settlements in the country; initiating the formulation of policy legislation in line with contemporary best practice for housing and human settlements; facilitating the provision of housing by the public and private sector; monitoring the preparation, review and implementation of physical development plans at national level (NPDP), regional level (RPDP), local level (Town Planning Schemes and Rural Local Development Plans); administering all legislation pertaining to housing and human settlements i.e. Human Settlements Act, Town Planning Act, Sectional Titles Act, Crown Lands Disposal Act, etc; managing the strategic planning process of the Department; advisory member of Eswatini Housing Board; preparing and overseeing the recurrent and capital projects budgets for the department of Housing and Human Settlements; as well as advising the Minister on issues pertaining the growth and development of housing and human settlements in the country.”

GC: “Before this role, what other positions did you occupy in the Service?”

BM: “Before my current role, I have occupied the following positions:

1. a) Senior Physical Planning Officer, Department of Housing and Human Settlements, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (October 2013-February 2016);
2. b) Senior Housing Officer, Department of Housing and Human Settlements, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (June 2006-September 2013);
3. c) Research and Development Officer, Department of Housing and Human Settlements, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (July 1999-May 2006);
4. d) Assistant Immigration Officer, Immigration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (June 1997-June 1999).”

GC: “So far, what would you say the biggest highlight/achievement of your Civil Service journey has been?”

BM: “Thus far, my biggest achievement in my Civil Service journey is the attainment of a Master of Science in Housing from the University of the Witwatersrand, fully sponsored by Eswatini Government. To date, I am the only Civil Servant with this qualification. From a work perspective, ensuring that Hlatikhulu has in place an approved Town Planning Scheme for the first time since joining the Ministry has been one of my notable achievements. Finally, my active role in the development of Buhleni Municipality in my capacity as the Director, Housing and Human Settlements stands out as another of my notable achievements in the Civil Service. Starting an urban local authority from scratch is no easy task.”

GC: “What is the biggest project that you have been involved in working for Government”

BM: “One of the notable projects I have been involved in working for Eswatini Government is the successful piloting of the Sectional Titles Act of 2003 as Amended in 2018 and Sectional Titles Regulations of 2020 in both Houses of Parliament. Since joining the Ministry on 1st July 1999, my first task was to advise Honourable Ministers as they tabled the piece of legislation from day one until it was successfully passed. The journey included its presentation before Liqoqo (then Swazi National Council). Similarly, when the Ministry could not implement the piece of legislation, I was instrumental in identifying the Sections that needed to be reviewed. Finally, I was central in the formulation of the Regulations which were also successfully piloted in both Houses of Parliament. As my baby, I am proud to have been involved in this massive task which was a first of its kind for the country.”

GC: “There are usually concerns from members of the public about the ‘unregulated’ nature of the housing/real estate sector and how this leads to what may look like inflated prices. What steps is the Ministry taking to address this issue?”

BM: “Whilst the Ministry is cognisant of the concerns by members of the public on the unregulated real estate sector, my Department has responded through the formulation of a Real Estate Agency Bill whose aim is to regulate the operations of Estate Agents in the country. Over the years, the Ministry has made attempts to regulate the industry but failed due to budgetary constraints. However, the Ministry’s efforts to regulate the real estate sector do not per se translate into regulating property prices as these are determined by the market, in particular supply and demand factors. Presently, the country operates on a free economy that does not permit the control of property prices, as such can lead to the stifling of the property industry. Property prices are determined by a host of factors such as location, architecture, neighbourhood, and availability of requisite infrastructural services among others.”

GC: “In some townships around the country, there seems to be a mushrooming of housing projects with little regard to the availability of key infrastructure such as roads? What does the Ministry do to ensure that housing projects in these areas meet all laid down standards?”

BM: “The country is characterised by a number of townships both in rural and urban areas. They are mainly divided into formal and informal townships. What defines a formal township is a submission of the establishment of a township application to the Human Settlements Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Anything falling outside this purview is regarded as an informal township/human settlement. Whilst the Ministry is presently working with the country’s local urban authorities in formalising these informal settlements, rural areas continue to lag behind as they are governed through Eswatini Law and Custom under Traditional Leadership. However, as a Ministry, we do extend our planning and housing sector to areas on Eswatini Nation Land upon invitation by the Traditional Leadership.”

GC: “Due to climate change and other factors, it is becoming hugely important for city/town planning to be forward looking and ensure that cities and towns can withstand adverse weather effects. What steps is the Ministry taking to ensure that our cities and towns are built sustainably?”

BM: “From a planning point of view, we encourage all our towns/cities to set aside some land parcels for public open spaces (active and passive). Presently, the Ministry, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is working on the implementation of a Green City concept aimed at assisting our towns/cities adapt to climate change. Furthermore, our towns/cities are encouraged to have in place Disaster Management Plans to offset the challenges posed by climate change. The Ministry is also pursuing the introduction of innovative housing materials that are adaptive to climate change effects.”

GC: “What do you love the most about working in Government?”

BM: “For me, working for Eswatini Government is fascinating as you learn new things every day. The working environment is conducive, promotion is on merit not favour, there is room for growth in one’s career, capacity building in the Civil Service is central and job security, among other factors.”

GC: “What do you love the most about your job and profession?”

BM: “What I love the most about my job is assisting members of the public, local authorities, Ministries/Departments and the private sector on matters revolving around housing and human settlements. Formulating pieces of legislation and policy framework has been one of my key highlights. Lastly, my work involves a lot of travelling to all the country’s 15 urban local authorities which allows one to observe the different patterns of human settlements taking place throughout the country.”

GC: “What would you say are some of the challenges that come with your job?”

BM: “The main challenge of my job entail the sensitivity revolving around the disposal of Government/Crown Land in the country since land is an important resource. In the country, land oversight is spread through a number of Ministries such as Commerce, Industry and Trade (Industrial), Tinkhundla, Administration and Development (Rural), Natural Resources and Energy (Farmland outside urban areas) and Agriculture (Agricultural). This scenario complicates the administration of land in the country as it sometimes leads to overlaps.”

GC: “What lessons have you learnt working for Government?”

BM: “For the longest time, Government has been a stepping stone for employees who wanted to get the necessary experience and then exit to join the private sector. However, this has since changed recently as a number of professionals are now leaving the private sector to join the Civil Service. This shows the level of trust these professionals have for Eswatini Government. Such a competitive environment is healthy for the country’s labour market.”

GC: “What advice would you have for someone who wants to work for Government?”

BM: “Contrary to popular belief, Government is now a competitive employer of choice. It has largely transformed from its old self to be a number one employer. She may not have the requisite competitive benefits like medical aid and others but working for Eswatini Government gives one a sense of belonging and fulfilment. What I like the most about Eswatini Government is the capacity building opportunities availed to civil servants to pursue their studies full-time or part-time. Sponsorship by Eswatini Government in her capacity as employer is readily available to all civil servants who are willing to pursue their studies.”

GC: “What are your aspirations for the future in Government?”

BM: “My future aspirations in Government is to ensure that my Department is the centre of excellence where quality professionals are produced for both the public and private sector. This is against the backdrop that growth is inevitable in the work place. I want to ensure that professionalism is central to the operations of my department. Overall, my wish is to see Eswatini Government having the relevant pieces of legislation and policy framework for the benefit of the country’s citizenry.”

--Ends—

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Hon. Minister Appolo Maphalala Profile

Honourable Appolo Maphalala was born in 1976, in Nkiliji in the Manzini region of Eswatini. He began his professional career in 2001, covering Government, local Government and non-Governmental sectors before becoming the Honourable Minister of Housing and Development.

Hon. Maphalala completed his high school at Ekukhanyeni High School in 1994 and in the following year, enrolled at the then University of Swaziland (now Eswatini), where he eventually obtained a Bachelor of Arts Social Sciences, majoring in Public Administration and Geography as well as Environmental Science and Planning. He landed his first job in 2001, under a programme jointly run by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and UNICEF, serving as Executive Secretary for Community Action for Child Rights. In 2002, Hon. Maphalala became CEO of Pigg’s Peak Town Council, a role he held until 2006, when he moved jobs to become Area Development Programme (ADP) Manager at World Vision.

In 2007, the Honourable Minister switched industries, getting into sport to become Chief Operations Officer for the Eswatini 2010 FIFA World Cup Technical Committee. In 2011, he took up a role as Health Systems Strengthening (HSS), Malaria & TB Grants Manager, under a programme jointly run by the Ministry of Health and Global Fund. Two years later, Hon. Maphalala landed his second CEO job, taking up leadership of Nhlangano Town Council. He left that job in 2021 to become CEO at yet another local Government authority, this time at Malkerns Municipality. This would prove to be his last job in local Government as in 2023, Hon. Maphalala contested in the National elections and was voted Member of Parliament (MP) by the people of Kukhanyeni Inkhundla. Then, on 13 November 2023, His Majesty King Mswati III appointed Hon. Maphalala as Minister of Housing and Development.

The Hon. Minister also holds a Master of Science (Leadership and Change Management) from Leeds Metropolitan University (UK) as well as a Certificate of Competence on Decentralisation in Africa, from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa). Hon. Maphalala has served as Chairperson of the Forum of Municipal CEOs for all urban localauthorities in Eswatini (2015—2023) as well as Chairperson of the Road Safety Council (2019-2022). He is a member of the National Executive Council for The Apostolic Church- Eswatini and is also Marriage Officer and Counsel.

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