PEARL DETERMINED TO RETAIN POSITION

MBABANE – She is determined to retain her position as EOCGA vice president.

As the curtain draws closer for the 26th Eswatini Olympics and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) elections, former Eswatini Boxing Association’s (EBA) President Pearl Dlamini, opened up about her future plans for sports development and women leadership. In the next 11 days, Dlamini will be contesting for maximum votes against the longest serving Eswatini Tennis Association (ETA) President Maxwell Jele. 

From being the only female president of boxing in the world, boasting vast experience and influence in the sports fraternity, this administrator has left a mark in the sports world and leadership. 

If elected to this second in command position of the Eswatini sports mother body, Dlamini will be working hand-in-hand with the crown in either Peter Shongwe or the current Eswatini Football Association’s President Adam Bomber Mthethwa, who has served EFA for over two decades. Here is what Dlamini had to share about her nomination and future plans:

How do you feel about being nominated once again to EOCGA vice presidency?

“I am very happy to have been nominated to stand for elections once more as vice president of EOCGA. The nomination humbles me as it indicates that some associations have trust in my capabilities. As you may be aware, I joined the then SOCGA as a Board member 2012 to 2016 then elected VP in 2016 to 2020… so being nominated for the second time as VP is indeed rather humbling.”

Is enough being done to empower women athletes and female sports administers in the country?

“It has been a slow growth. We do see some improvement in woman athletes but it’s not up to the required standard. The leadership side is still very weak. Males still dominate a number of positions. A brief survey indicates that we have 28 Women on Boards of 29 National Forums, four Boards with zero women. Now imagine if a Board is made up of seven people, then 28 Boards multiplied by seven members equals to196 Board members. This implies that we have only 14 per cent of women. Women are beginning to be represented in sports leaderships positions but not according to the recommended IOC rate of having 30 per cent women reps across all organisations.

What are the contributing factors infringing women sports development and administration?

“The contributing factors to these low statistics are the lack of confidence from women to take up leadership positions. There are a few women in sports programmes that aim at spreading the gospel of women leaders. Other women are scared to stand up against men in elections. Cultural barriers is another hindrance for others, while attitudes and beliefs of some women , like the notion that it’s a man’s thing , is a huge factor. There are no policies in governments that encourage women participation.”

What value can you add within the Olympic & Commonwealth movement?

“As the Vice President, you are the right-hand man or should I say woman to the president. My contributions will vary a lot but for many it will be finalising what we had started and ensuring compliance and smooth transition into business as usual in our association. The main important contribution is the promotion of olympism in the country, by raising awareness and capacity building. 

What other contributions would you make to the association?

“I would contribute in the finalisation of the Sports Bill and Sports Policy. I would have inputs into EOCGA policies and rules and some regulations and ensuring compliance thereof. Mine would be to oversee the building of the EOCGA Offices. It has always worried me that we have no home of our own. We are grateful to IOC President who approved funding of US$45 000 (E661 770) for building our National Olympics Centre headquarters. Developing and contributing to EOCGA strategic plan and inputs into the budget that goes with the strategic plan as well as monitoring and ensuring funds are spent within allocations and approvals. This includes financial statements and other expenditure which we monitor and approve as a Board.

As VP, I am mandated to lead the Eswatini Team to the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and I believe this position is best given to a woman who can be in a position to mother the athletes. The rapport built with the team at Commonwealth games was at another level, and together with Team Eswatini, we worked towards the Tokyo 2020 games which unfortunately were postponed. To date, I am still facilitating as CDM for Tokyo Games. There are a number of contributions to make even with the back to play programme but most importantly, I would be the eye, ear and mouth piece of all the different sports associations’ in the country.”

What can be done to increase the number of women leaders?

“The first step would be the creation of a women in sport forum and Women Commissions countrywide and for all national forums. We need to have policies to support woman in Sports. Having women mentors and those who have made it out there mentoring new ones. We need to implement the Sports Bill which will enforce 30 per cent women representation across all leadership positions. More so, Parliament must commit to funding women in sports initiatives, celebrating women in sports day.

Having more women leadership programmes as they are a confidence boost, they remind you of who you are, your value as a woman, what you can give and the reminder of believing in yourself.

Exchanging experiences and hearing other women stories of how they have made it out there is also very interesting as we pick up some few lessons that we can build on as well. It also helps to re-confirm what I already know and to pick up new lessons as the world evolves as hence it’s important to always stay in touch.”

Describe your own experiences, what are the things you do that make you a leader in your organisation.

“I am very good at planning and change managing people to actually buy into my ideas or thoughts or desire to support the changes that I want to introduce. I am a qualified projects practitioner so I implement my events using project methodology that ensures that things get delivered within the scope, time and budget. I have great communication and listening skills. I have built commissions to be my ‘think tanks’ and I take turns in getting advice from them or their views on how we can better lead the organisation. I developed Scorecards for my executive and quarterly we have to report on our performance. This thing of being volunteers means nothing. People in positions must account for the mandate they have been given especially because these are public funds we are using.”

Have you ever been opposed in your decisions as a woman leader?

Yes, I have been opposed before but my personality helps me as I am not easily moved from principles I believe in, so my communication skills help me to always get people on my side and to buy into my thoughts.

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