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SWAZI BELIEVED SHE COULD TAKE UP SPACE, SO SHE DID

20/09/2020 05:51:00 BY DUDU Dube

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It is always inspiring when one of your wildest dreams becomes a reality.

Never has the former Miss Teen/Miss KFC, Swazi Mngomezulu, imagined that one day she would land a prestigious international scholarship to pursue the best Master of Science Degree in a First World country.

The Chevening Scholarship, awarded to Swazi, is an international scholarship scheme which enables students with leadership qualities from over 160 countries and territories to undertake postgraduate studies or courses in universities in the United Kingdom. It is an avenue crafted to promote intelligence and exchanging thoughts within its broad community filled with global leaders. The prestigious Chevening Scholarship is the United Kingdom Government’s global scholarship programme administered by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The former beauty queen takes STLYE into her world full of promises.

style: Tell us a bit about yourself: where you are from, your educational background and work?

swazi: My name is Swazi Mngomezulu, a former beauty queen (Miss Teen/Miss KFC). I was born and bred in Eswatini. I studied at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in South Africa where I attained the following qualifications:

l National Higher Certificate in

Accounting;

l National Diploma: Cost and

Management Accounting ;

l National Diploma: Internal

Auditing (overall 2nd best

student);

l B’tech Internal Auditing

(CumLaude Award – Deans

Award).

Post university, I embarked on a journey towards acquiring professional certifications. Sitting for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) professional exams was my first step, and before the covid-19 pandemic began, I had started applications for the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) qualification.

At university I was a top student who always excelled, as a result students sought after me for assistance. This instigated the establishment of a mentoring and tutoring academy under the Economics and Finance Department to bring ease in understanding difficult subjects. I employed computer packages as teaching aids, fostered group discussions, designed individual teaching material and assessment methodologies and provided attention to struggling students. My mentees were motivated to attain their full academic potentials, their grades and self-esteem improved remarkably which saw me earning an accolade for my insight and expertise in teaching.

Post university, I worked for an employer of choice, the esteemed Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), an organisation with a sound culture, good corporate governance and mostly, an organisation that puts women and children first and inspires women to aim for the skies. ENPF supports Education as it has partnered with JA Eswatini and the University of Eswatini, donating funds towards affording disabled emaSwati with a brighter future academically. I utterly agree with the following sayings: (1) ‘’Education is important in transforming one’s life”-ENPF CEO (2) “We should be given every opportunity, nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself.” – Zozibini Tunzi.

With that said, I just want to shout out to the world: “I cant keep calm, I’ve been chosen for Chevening”-Swazi Mngomezulu

style: How did you find out about the Chevening scholarship, and what made you interested in applying?

swazi: I found out about the Chevening scholarship from the TUT postgraduate hub in 2017, took interest and conducted a thorough research on the scholarship. First I checked whether Eswatini Citizens were eligible to apply as there was no British Embassy in our country at that time. Propitious, last year the UK Embassy opened its offices in The Kingdom of Eswatini overseen by the British High Commissioner, His Excellency John Lindfield. Chevening is highly competitive with an acceptance rate of 2 per cent globally. Quite cutthroat right! So many of our dreams at first seem impossible and improbable until we summon the will. I believed in myself, believed that I was a leader with a strong background of academic excellence, cut right what Chevening was looking for. I believed that I was capable, foresaw my dream of becoming a Chevener as valid. I applied and was awarded the scholarship on first attempt. This is by far the best gift the world has had to offer me. An affirmation that God is tirelessly working for my good cause and that dreams are valid if you believe.

style: Why did you particularly want to study in the UK?

swazi: The United Kingdom houses top-ranked universities in the world, universities that are renowned for their world class education system. I am moving to the UK this fall to join the reputable University of South Wales for a MSc Forensic Auditing and Accounting – the only course of its kind in the UK. I am ecstatic because this course aligns well with my career goal of becoming a renowned Forensic Audit expert. I will be the first black woman in Eswatini to hold this qualification. Proudly Swazi. Startlingly, this discipline is growing rapidly in the commercial world filled with money laundering, fraud, corruption and non-compliance. Obtaining this qualification will be of great significance in Eswatini as this would instigate means of combating fraud. Of interest with this course are the modules on Cyber & Digital Investigations, Financial Crime & Expert Witness, Fraud Examination, Computer Forensic and Forensic Financial Analysis as this would build my capacity of questioning documents and answers given during fraud investigations as well as the procedures to follow during litigation and insolvency expert opinion processes.

style: How do you think it will help you in your future career?

swazi: As an individual driven by academic excellence, influence and leadership, studying in the UK will significantly highlight my profile thereby giving me influence in both financial and governmental sectors in Eswatini. I believe that I will gain higher professional recognition in the workplace and higher self-confidence that will lead to higher responsibility in my future career and also help my personal development.

style: How do you think it will foster UK - Eswatini relations?

swazi: I always believe that Development Aid, specifically scholarships for postgraduate education, is one of the best ways to build a relationship between two countries. Chevening scholarships give emaSwati an opportunity to experience the UK culture, way of living as well as opportunities for first-class professional development. The UK is a multicultural country, with a very rich cultural heritage, scholars from all over the world and that augurs well for networking opportunities. Eswatini Chevening Cohorts and Chevening Alumni get a chance of building lasting professional and social relationships In addition, with a strengthened relationship between Eswatini and the UK, business opportunities will be increased for both countries as well as trade interactions and negotiations at an international level.

style: What advice would you give to emaSwati thinking of applying for Chevening?

swazi: Applicants for the Chevening Scholarship should be proactive in their work environment, communities and engage in professional organisations. They should be Change-Makers with strong leadership traits, be active and have a clear plan on what they want to study as well as their choice of universities because the UK houses over a hundred world-leading universities. In addition, the world continues to change rapidly therefore applicants should be at par with global affairs, they should align their goals with the needs of Eswatini for the betterment of our beautiful nation.

style: What are the challenges that you have faced in the working industry and how have you overcome them?

swazi: Unemployment in Eswatini is so widespread, graduates are sitting at home with their beautiful accomplishments. It is so sad because everyone deserves a chance, a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. I have overcome the struggle through continual search for opportunities, marketing myself through voluntary work and sorting after life changing opportunities like this aforementioned Chevening Scholarship. I urge companies to open up doors for graduates.

style: Acknowledgements?

swazi: Thank you UK Government, Chevening FCDO and the UK Embassy in Eswatini for this lifetime opportunity. The journey towards being awarded the scholarship was so daunting, wouldn’t have made it had it not been for the grace of God and the immense support received from my friends and family. Thank you Eswatini