MBABANE – Eswatini Revenue Service Chief Financial Officer, Thobile Dlamini, has shared insights into her two-decade journey in finance, her commitment to employee wellness, and her vision for the future of public sector financial leadership.
Speaking to Executive Leadership Africa Magazine, Dlamini recalled that her entry into finance was influenced by her high school subject choices and an early attraction to numbers. She began as a trainee auditor, which set the foundation for her pursuit of becoming a Chartered Accountant — a goal inspired by seasoned professionals she admired.
In 2023/2024, Dlamini received the ACCA Africa’s Best Public Sector CFO award, describing the recognition as a moment of disbelief and gratitude, motivating her to further impact her field.
Her career has spanned Mozambique, Botswana, and Eswatini, where she learned that effective leadership depends on understanding and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace.
A personal financial crisis early in her career sparked her interest in financial wellness. This later led her to introduce Personal Finance Management training at the ERS, a programme now integrated into the organisation’s wellness initiatives. The shift, she said, has encouraged staff to seek financial help, plan better, and, in some cases, retire without debt.
Balancing productivity and human well-being, she noted, is essential for leadership. Inspired by her brother and mentor, she continues to advance her education, stressing that ongoing learning is critical even at executive level.
Dlamini pointed out that women’s financial literacy in Africa faces barriers, including the absence of early financial education, limited gender-focused programmes, and cultural norms that discourage active financial decision-making.
Her time at KPMG across three countries strengthened her ethical standards and adaptability. She now embraces digital transformation in finance, from automating routine tasks to using predictive analytics for strategic decision-making, and sees technology as a tool to expand financial inclusion.
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