I have fulfilled my dream - Muzila
Chakalisa Dube | Friday December 5, 2014 13:23
Muzila who joined politics six years ago lost the general elections in Francistown South, but was later brought to the council chambers through special nomination.
Muzila recently opened up to Mmegi after being elected the city’s mayor.
“I have always wanted to attain political office to serve my people. By becoming a city mayor I believe I have fulfilled my dream.
As the city mayor I feel like the position is even greater than being a Member of Parliament (MP) because I will be leading the whole city,” she said.
Perhaps what excites Muzila even more is that she is the first female Mayor since the country attained independence in 1966.
For Muzila this is an achievement. I will however not let my excitement go to my head. It feels good to enter the history books as the first woman to be the city mayor,” she stated.
Muzila further said being city mayor would offer her an opportunity to give back to the community using her educational credentials in urban development.
“I have a degree in Urban Development. I also have a Master’s Degree in Development Management, with emphasis on provision of services for the people. I however never practised in my profession because my duties as a District Commissioner (DC) were limited. This is an opportune time for me to use my qualifications to help the community particularly in urban development,” she said.
Urban Development encompasses all areas of development but Muzila said she had only ever been a specialist.
“I never got the chance to focus in all areas of development and I hope being a mayor will give me the chance to focus on most aspects of development and help the community in whatever way I can,” she said.
Muzila shared that she had a stint as community clerk at the Selebi Phikwe Town Council in the early 1980s before she was transferred to the Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA).
She was later transferred to the Ministry of Lands and Housing, where she was appointed a housing officer. It was during this period that she became DC for Gaborone before returning to Francistown. She then retired and joined active politics. Muzila promised that she would put an end to the divisions and infightings that had characterised the Francistown council chambers. “In my years as a DC I have learnt to manage difficult people. If at all I will encounter difficult councillors, I am confident that I can use my experience to deal with them and ensure things run smoothly.
However the current crop of councillors look very supportive to one another regardless of party colours and I am confident they will not be difficult to deal with,” she said.
She also said part of her plans was to see Francistown being turned into a lucrative business hub. She said her main focus would be to lure more investors into the city, as part of the Vision 2022.
Muzila stated that that the previous mayor James Kgalajwe, had laid a good foundation by assisting in the establishment of the Vision 2022. She said she would ensure that implementation of the Vision 2022 bore fruit through constant engagement with various key stakeholders.
“I also want to make show that all youth and poverty alleviation programmes are taken seriously because they have the potential to change lives of the city’s people,” she said.
Muzila pointed out that infrastructure in the city, particularly the storm water drainage system were not up to scratch and had to be improved immediately.
“I would leave my mayoral position a sad woman if I do not manage to push for funds to improve the city’s storm water drainage system,” she said.
On the home front, things are smooth sailing for Muzila. She has ample time to perform her political duties without worrying about parental obligations since all her three children are adults. Two of them live abroad, together with her only grandchild, while her other child operates businesses in Francistown.