ANDILE MOSHOESHOE

NEWLY appointed chief executive officer for the Harry Gwala Development Agency (HGDA), Qiniso Mnguni, outlined his roadmap that will benefit the rural district of Harry Gwala.

He steps into the position that has historically been a ‘hot seat’. The agency has struggled with leadership stability, earning a reputation for a ‘revolving door’ of CEOs. Many experienced predecessors failed to complete their five-year terms, departing prematurely due to internal friction, political pressure or administrative hurdles.

Despite the daunting history of the office, Mnguni has remained unfazed and sees his age as advantageous and an opportunity to inject fresh energy into the institution that desperately needs long-term vision.

Understanding that a leader is only as strong as their team, Mnguni spent his first month in office performing ‘corporate surgery’ on the agency’s internal culture.

He recognised that the high turnover of previous CEOs had left a trail of trauma and depression among the staff, leading to a breakdown in morale and productivity. 

“The first thing I did was to meet with all employees to focus on challenges that may have caused issues halting teamwork,” he explained, adding that focusing on the mental wellbeing of employees would develop a foundation of stability.

Mnguni’s strategy involves pivoting the agency’s focus back to its core strengths, while planning to transform the district of Harry Gwala into a hub of agricultural excellence.

He also aims to champion job creation programmes, specifically tailored for women, youth and persons with disabilities.

He said the success of the agency is not just a career milestone for him but a personal mission to uplift the community of Harry Gwla.  “As a person who understands the plight of communities, my only achievement that will result in peaceful nights is to witness a rise in job creation and investment opportunities to boost the economy,” he concluded.