General

MANZINI – Mayibongwe Masangane has emerged as the new president of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) following a marathon and highly-contested election process that stretched throughout Thursday night during the union’s Ninth Quadrennial Congress held at Esibayeni Lodge.

The congress, which started on Wednesday and ended on Friday, brought together nurses and healthcare workers from across the country to deliberate on labour issues affecting the health sector and elect a new leadership team that will guide the union for the next four years.

Masangane takes over from outgoing President Nok’thula Dlamini, who has been leading the union and officially opened the congress earlier this week.

Sources close to the congress said the elections became intensely contested, resulting in voting and counting processes continuing throughout the night on Thursday before proceedings were temporarily halted due to exhaustion among delegates and electoral officials. The process later resumed on Friday before the final results were announced.

Delegates reportedly described the congress as one of the most competitive elective gatherings in recent years, with different camps battling for strategic positions within the union’s national executive structure.

Masangane, who previously served within the union leadership structures, was elected alongside Thandokuhle Bhembe, who secured the position of First Deputy President, while S’thembiso ‘Kwazi’ Simelane was elected Second Deputy President. The congress also elected Saneliso ‘Masanis’ Mavuso as the new General Secretary. He will be deputised by Cebsile Nyembe as First Deputy General Secretary and Phumlile Methula as second Deputy General Secretary.

Sicelo Gamedze was elected National Organising Officer, while Mhlengi Mndawe became the new Treasurer General. Ncobile Dlamini was elected Gender Officer and Lungile Magagula secured the position of additional member. During the congress, delegates also discussed challenges affecting nurses and healthcare workers, including working conditions, staffing shortages, welfare matters and the future direction of organised labour within the health sector.

SWADNU remains one of the country’s influential labour unions representing nurses and healthcare workers in both public and private health institutions.

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Newly-elected SWADNU National Office Bearers after being officially introduced during the union’s ninth Quadrennial Congress held at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha on Friday. (Courtesy pic)