MBABANE – Athletics Eswatini and SACA President Zakhele Dlamini has launched cross-border diplomatic missions to resolve governance crises in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique.
Dlamini’s diplomatic interventions come as a directive from World Athletics and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), underlining the continental body’s confidence in the Eswatini administrator’s leadership and dispute-resolution capabilities.
Dlamini’s first major assignment took him to South Africa, where he was tasked with mediating a bubbling governance crisis within Athletics South Africa (ASA). The regional governing body had faced internal friction threatening its stability and administrative focus ahead of major international showpieces.
As the Southern African Confederation of Athletics (SACA) head, Dlamini engaged in intensive, closed-door strategic meetings with various ASA stakeholders. His mandate was to stabilise the leadership structure, restore constitutional adherence and ensure that one of the region’s biggest athletics powerhouses remains aligned with international best practices. Insiders close to the talks noted that Dlamini’s neutral, collaborative approach was crucial in cool-headed deliberations between the warring factions.
Following the delicate mission in South Africa, the SACA president immediately shifted his focus to Maputo, Mozambique, where the local athletics federation faced severe leadership challenges that had stalled development structures.
Dlamini did not just meet with athletics officials; he took the intervention to the highest level of government, securing a strategic meeting with Mozambique’s Minister for Youth and Sports Caifadine Manasse.
The discussions centred on establishing an interim roadmap to restore administrative sanity, protect the welfare of Mozambican athletes and restructure the federation’s governance. Speaking on these assignments, Dlamini emphasised that a stable Southern African region is vital for individual member countries to thrive in the track and field.
AE confirmed the latest developments in a statement shared on their official platforms.
The engagements in both South Africa and Mozambique were said to be highly-constructive and frameworks that will steer both federations back to smooth operations are expected.
The double assignment, according to sources, cements Dlamini’s growing influence in continental sports administration, positioning Eswatini as a key player in the governance and diplomacy of African athletics.
During the mission, AE President Zakhele Dlamini (R) met with Caifadine Manasse, Mozambique’s Minister of Youth and Sports. (Pic: Courtesy of Athletics Eswatini)