By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, has appointed Futhi Tembe as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF).
Tembe, who has been serving as the Acting CEO since November 2023, steps into this role with a history of diligence and a strong work ethic that has earned her the position. She follows the Fund’s long-serving CEO, Prince Lonkhokhela, who is now the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy.
The new CEO takes the helm as the first female CEO since the inception of ENPF. Her decorative CV states that she is a business leader, strategist, and finance guru with over 15 years of experience in financial, strategy, risk management, and investment strategy. She holds a Masters’ degree in Business Leadership, a professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant, and a Bachelor of Commerce Accounting degree.
When making her remarks, the newly appointed CEO expressed deep gratitude to her predecessor, Prince Lonkhokhela, for his mentorship and leadership. She assured the Minister and the Board of her commitment to transparency, accountability, and humility. Tembe noted that she will champion inclusive financial empowerment and spearhead innovative investment strategies aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
“I am determined to contribute to the national goal of economic growth, as declared by His Majesty, by transforming the Fund into a Pensions Fund, thus ensuring a stable financial future for its members.”
The Minister expressed confidence that the new CEO, Futhi Tembe, will uphold the Fund’s objectives and bring forth innovations. He conveyed his hope that through productive collaboration with the board and stakeholders, Tembe will drive the growth of the Fund, expanding its influence within the country and internationally.
“We believe that she will ensure that the objectives of the Fund are upheld. We hope that she will bring innovations and work productively with the board and stakeholders of the Fund to ensure that the fund grows to be a bigger entity within the country and beyond,” he said.
The Chairman of the ENPF Board, Mduduzi Gina, expressed his joy and appreciation for the Minister’s trust in the Board’s recommendation. He highlighted the historic nature of Tembe’s appointment, as she becomes the first woman to lead the Fund since its establishment.