BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
EZULWINI– Industrial Court Judge Lungile Msimango has challenged graduates of the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) to become bold ambassadors of the institution by identifying, mentoring and encouraging future leaders to enrol in its programmes, saying alumni have a responsibility to ensure the institute’s legacy continues to grow across Eswatini and the African continent.
Delivering the keynote address during the official launch of the ESAMI Eswatini Alumni Association at Happy Valley Resort on Friday evening, Judge Msimango said ESAMI graduates should not keep the benefits of the institution to themselves but should actively recruit and mentor the next generation of leaders.
“I therefore issue two clear and urgent calls. First, be a bold ambassador for ESAMI. Look around your workplace, your community, your church and your professional circles. Identify one promising leader and personally bring them to ESAMI,” she said.
She said every referral was more than a recommendation, describing it as “a torch passed to the next generation.”
“Every colleague you enrol strengthens the calibre of this network and ensures that ESAMI remains a powerhouse of African excellence for decades to come. Do not keep this gift to yourself,” she urged.
The colourful event marked the official establishment of the ESAMI Eswatini Alumni Association, bringing together graduates from across the public and private sectors, senior government officials, members of the judiciary, business leaders and management professionals for an evening of networking and celebration.
The gathering also formed part of ESAMI’s golden jubilee celebrations, with guests joining in a ceremonial cake-cutting to commemorate the institute’s contribution to leadership and management development in the region over the past five decades.
Judge Msimango, herself an ESAMI alumnus, reminded graduates that obtaining an ESAMI qualification was about far more than earning an academic certificate.
“An ESAMI degree is not merely a certificate; it is a toolkit for transformation that must be used to build, to lead and to create lasting change in Eswatini and beyond,” she said.
She said ESAMI had produced leaders capable of understanding Africa’s unique development challenges while equipping them with practical management skills applicable across the continent.
According to the judge, more than 1,000 students have graduated with ESAMI master’s degrees over the past 25 years, creating a growing network of professionals committed to advancing leadership and governance.
She encouraged alumni to anchor their careers on three principles: lifelong learning, integrity and investing in others.
“The world does not wait for comfort. Specialise, upskill and stay curious because relevance is discipline, not an accident,” she said.
She further urged professionals to lead with integrity in every sphere of society, saying Eswatini’s development depended more on trustworthiness than intelligence alone.
“Eswatini’s growth depends less on how clever we are and more on how consistently we can be trusted,” she said.
The judge also encouraged experienced professionals to mentor younger colleagues and contribute their expertise towards strengthening national institutions instead of focusing solely on personal success.
Addressing prospective students attending the event, Judge Msimango described ESAMI as a gateway to continental opportunities.
“ESAMI graduates are not just degree holders; they are part of a regional elite, a network that opens doors across Africa and the globe,” she said.
Also addressing the gathering, ESAMI Director General Professor Peter Kiuluku said modern management had evolved beyond rigid systems and processes to place greater emphasis on people, relationships and teamwork.
Drawing from the historical evolution of management theory, Professor Kiuluku explained that early engineering approaches viewed productivity largely through systems and processes.
However, he said management experts later realised organisations perform better when they recognise the importance of human behaviour and collaboration.
“Work is not merely a scientific process. Work is a social activity and is better done in teams than by individuals,” he said.
Professor Kiuluku cautioned organisations against becoming overly dependent on technology at the expense of human interaction.
While acknowledging rapid technological advancements, he warned that digital tools and artificial intelligence should complement rather than replace human relationships in the workplace.
“Machines cannot replace human interaction,” he said.
He said organisations that ignore the human element risk weakening collaboration, innovation and long-term productivity.
The evening was attended by several distinguished guests, including senior government officials, executives, business leaders and ESAMI alumni from various sectors.
The launch follows recent engagements between the Government of Eswatini and ESAMI aimed at strengthening cooperation in leadership development and public service capacity building.
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