‘President LaMakhosini, Green Mamba’s heartbeat’

.New club CEO Ntuthuko, grateful, honoured and not worried due to her support, passion

A lovely Sunday to all! As you go about today, don’t forget to grab yourself a copy of the Eswatini Sunday to catch this week’s edition of The Chat Hub. We bring you the newest elite football official once again.

We had Ubombo Sugar FC’s newly appointed Public Relations Officer (PRO) Jada Smith in our previous edition, and today we have Correctional Services outfit Green Mamba’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ntuthuko Dlamini who just got appointed.

Some of you know him as a sports journalist. He will tell us about that and more. Enjoy the read!

ES: Briefly describe yourself and tell us where you hail from.

Dlamini: I am a down-to-earth person who puts everything in God’s hands. He is my strength and light. I was born and bred at Madonsa, just outside the city of Manzini.

ES: Any nickname you would like to share? If so, how did you get it?

Dlamini: Aah, no Christos. There’s none.

ES: Without any delay, you are now one of the big security forces teams, Green Mamba CEO. How do you feel about this appointment?

Dlamini: I am greatly honoured by this appointment from the Green Mamba President, the Correctional Services Commissioner General LaMakhosini. I’m excited and grateful to her for this big recognition.

I know she’s the heartbeat of the team. She has its best interests at heart and that is I’? thrilled because we have her full backing.

This is a huge challenge for me and the rest of my colleagues as a new management committee (MC) to take the team to greater heights by winning trophies, but with our passionate President, we got no worries.

ES: Kindly tell us how long it has been since your appointment? Did you expect it?

Dlamini: I was appointed into office on August 22, 2025. So, I am new in my position. It was not something I expected, but it came as a complete surprise.

ES: Are you also a member of His Majesty’s Correctional Services, or is it an appointment resourced from outside based on certain qualities you have?

Dlamini: I am a member of His Majesty’s Correctional Services, and I am pretty sure that certain qualities were considered by the President and the Board of Directors before settling for their choice.

ES: Some people will remember you as a sports reporter as we were colleagues at the Times of Eswatini. Tell us what it was like for you? Do you miss it?

Dlamini: Yeah, that is a very memorable experience working in both giant print media houses, Times of Eswatini, and the Eswatini Observer as a sports reporter for more than a decade, collectively.

I still have good memories of my former colleagues especially the likes of Lwazi Dlamini, the late Kenneth Dlamini, Sabelo Ndzinisa, Dumsani Ntiwane, Qondile Shongwe-Ntiwane, Sibongiseni Zondi, Bafanabodwa Mbingo, Mfanyana Benjamin Magongo, Bhekisisa Magongo, you and Ashmond Nzima to mention, a few.

ES: So, what was the mandate for you when you got appointed as Green Mamba F.C.’s new CEO? What is expected of you?

Dlamini: The mandate from President LaMakhosini was that she wanted the team to win trophies. I am expected to promote, protect the team brand, and do all administrative work.

ES: What advice did you get from your predecessor, Mandla Sibiya, who held the position for five years?

Dlamini: Sibiya has been an exceptionally good predecessor. He is still mentoring me, making sure that the transition is smooth.

ES: Your appointment came at the time of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup. Would you say the team did well, also getting past your security forces rivals in the police side Royal Leopard in the quarterfinals?

I know you are also hoping that as you read this copy, your team lifts the title as the ends on Sunday, September 7, if you made it past Ubombo Sugar FC in the semis on Friday.

Dlamini: So far, so good. It’s still work in progress, and we greatly appreciate that under conditions in which we also have a new coach and players, results are forthcoming. Defeating Royal Leopard is the sweetest victory and revenge. We haven’t forgotten that they knocked us out of the Ingwenyama Cup, so we enjoyed the win.

ES: Before this appointment, did you ever work with any team in the elite ranks?

Dlamini: Yes, I did work for Red Lions as General Manager. I learnt a lot under the leadership of MD Didibhuku Thwala alongside other MC members like Barez Zubuko,

Vusi Hall (Manzini Regional Football Association Chairman, Comfort Shongwe, and Ngudze Mamba (Red Rhinos MD and PLE Vice Chairman) to mention a few. I hope that experience will come in handy in my new role.

ES: Do you have any sports administration qualifications?

Dlamini: Yes, I do have Level 1 & 2 Sports Administration certificates offered by EOCCA.

ES: Do you think that has helped you in getting this appointment at Green Mamba?

Dlamini: I cannot be sure of what exactly was considered by the President and the Board of Directors. Otherwise, I personally believe that they made the right choice. I am looking forward to establishing a good working relationship with all stakeholders.

ES: Well, let us wish you luck in your new role. Thanks for the time you gave us for this chat as well.

Dlamini: It’s a pleasure, Christos!