I influenced diversity in the nature of RDF income generating projects – Cornelius Dlamini

27 August 2024

Cornelius Dlamini has been with Government on and off since 1997. Currently a Programme Officer – Capacity Building in the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development’s Decentralisation Unit, Mr Dlamini is also a former Agriculture teacher and Regional Development Fund Manager. In this week’s Civil Servants blog, he tells us more about his role in decentralisation and in the RDF.

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

Cornelius Dlamini (CD): I first joined the Civil Service in August 1997 as a teacher. I then left to work in Botswana the following year, returning to the civil service in 2007. In 2010, I left again to work for an international NGO and I re-joined the service in 2015.

GC: What is your current job now and what does it entail? Please elaborate.

CD: I am the Programme Officer – Capacity Building under the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Decentralisation Unit. My current job entails undertaking Regions and Tinkhundla capacity assessments, identifying capacity gaps and training needs, advising and implementing sound capacity improvement programmes and training for Regions and Tinkhundla.

GC: Before this role, what other positions did you occupy in the Service (please specify job titles and time periods)?

CD: I was an Agriculture teacher between 1997 and 1998, left to work in Botswana then came back to continue as Agriculture teacher between 2007 and 2010. I got promoted to Deputy Headteacher in 2010, but left the same year to work for an NGO. I returned in 2015 as Regional Development Fund Manager at the Microprojects Programme Coordinating Unit, a position I held until 2023. 

GC: As a former RDF manager, can you shed light on how the fund operates?

CD: The fund is aligned to the Tinkhundla system of governance. Each Inkhundla is allocated a budget per financial year. The fund helps emaSwati with 90% capital grants for their community developmental and income generating projects for a group of at least 10 members. The fund enhances financial inclusion and permits autonomy by a respective Inkhundla Council because allocation of funding to projects is exclusively reserved for the respective Inkhundla Council. The fund allows the politicians elected by the members of a given Inkhundla to manage developmental and income generating projects within the RDF budget. It permits any member of the society to benefit directly and/or indirectly regardless of their relationship. Application is all year round; and a credit worthiness certificate is not required. RDF helps to create jobs.

GC: What would you say to emaSwati who are sceptical of utilising the RDF?

CD: I do encourage such emaSwati to be motivated by the RDF funded projects within their Tinkhundla and other Tinkhundla as testament that RDF is one of the live relevant developmental funds by His Majesty’s Government. I further encourage them that RDF funds any viable, sustainable and legal projects. As part of job creation, emaSwati are encouraged to utilise RDF.

GC: In your opinion, what do you think needs to be done to ensure that emaSwati fully utilise the RDF?

CD: I suggest that regular community mobilisation and sensitisation is conducted. In such sessions, live and visual examples, including live testimonies, should be used.

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

CD: As RDF Manager, I successfully influenced the nature of income generating projects; buses, kombis, feedlots, tipper trucks, TLBs, Mobile Money and other projects which were not funded before. As a Programme Officer, I successfully led the upgrading of Siphofaneni Service Centre, and led the review of the Decentralisation Policy to align with the provisions of the Constitution.  A draft of the Eswatini National Decentralisation Policy, 2024 is ready for Cabinet discussion and approval.

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

CD: Two of them come to mind. The first one being leading the review of the Decentralization Policy to align with the provisions of the Constitution and the second one being a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee leading the operationalisation of Chapter XIII of the Constitution of Eswatini.

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

CD: Being part of the Team that transforms the lives of emaSwati through capacity building.

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

CD: It is to be part of a Team that strategically influences and witnesses development of communities improving.

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

CD: Rather, I don’t view them as challenges but as part of the package, of being a public servant within the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, whereby community members expect that one clarifies and possesses responses to all issues regarding work by the Government.

GC: What lessons have you learnt working for Government?

CD: It is important to know the basic mandates of the different Government Ministries so that one is able to guide the public to the relevant Ministry and/or Department.

GC: What advice would you have for someone who wants to work for Government? CD: Working for Government is fulfilling. Make it your business to know what each Government Ministry does so that you can be helpful to the public should they need information about Government.

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

CD: To progress hierarchically as the case may be.