Sylvia Muzila (at times referred to as Sylvia Tabitha Muzila née Nlea) is a Motswana politician and first female mayor of Francistown, Botswana. Politically affiliated to the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), she was elected to this position in 2014 and served up till 2019.[1] Muzila was also among the first cohort of women to be recruited in the then Botswana Police Force.

Sylvia Muzila
Mayor of Francistown
Preceded byJames Kgalajwe
Succeeded byGodisang Radisigo
Special Councillor, Francistown City Council
Personal details
Born
Sylvia Tabitha Nlea

Dombodema, Zimbabwe
Political partyBotswana Democratic Party (BDP)
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham
AwardsBotswana's Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2005

Background and education

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Muzila was born Sylvia Tabitha Nlea in Dombodema, Zimbabwe.[2] She has a degree in Urban Development in addition to a Master's of Social Science degree in Development Administration which she obtained in 1989 from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.[3][2]

Career

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Muzila was among the first eight women to join Botswana Police Service in Francistown in 1971 which she left in 1978[2][4] She then joined the Selebi Phikwe Town Council as a Community Clerk and was then transferred to the Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA).[3] After her Masters studies, she served as a Housing Officer in Botswana's Ministry of Lands and Housing.[2]

Between 1996 and 2008, Muzila was the District Commissioner, first for Gaborone, before being appointed to Kweneng, the North East and finally Francistown in 2008.[2][5]

Muzila joined active politics in 2008.[6] In December 2014, on the ticket of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Muzila was elected unopposed for her first two and a half year term as the first female Mayor of Francistown after other party Councillors withdrew from the mayoral race.[7] She was re-elected unopposed to the same position in 2017[8]

She is also the owner of Thabitha Secondary School in Francistown.[9][10]

Personal life

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Muzila was married to Robert Muzila, a Francistown councillor, whom she divorced in 2009.[11][12]

Awards

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Muzila was a recipient of Botswana's Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2005.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Dube, Chakalisa (2021-06-04). "Gov't building goes to waste". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  2. ^ a b c d e Motsumi, Gosego (16 December 2020). "The Untold Story Of Sylvia Muzila, The Fearless Woman Of Many Firsts". The Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b Dube, Chakalisa (2014-12-05). "I have fulfilled my dream - Muzila". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  4. ^ "Botswana Police Service celebrates 135 years – YourBotswana". Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  5. ^ "Botswana erects 300-mile electrified fence". the Guardian. 2003-09-10. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  6. ^ Mooketsi, Lekopanye (2008). "Ex-DC Muzila Joins the Fray - At Last". Mmegi Online. p. 2. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  7. ^ Dube, Chakalisa (2014-12-03). "BDP councillors give way for Muzila". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  8. ^ Dube, Chakalisa (2017-05-03). "Muzila is Francistown's mayor again". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  9. ^ "Former Francistown DC gives scholarship to 30 orphans | Sunday Standard". Sunday Standard. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  10. ^ Pinielo
    Correspondent, Isaac (2010-04-09). "Restoring Lost Hope For Failed Students". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
    {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ Mosikare
    Correspondent, Oarabile (2009-06-15). "Muzila Divorce Hearing In November". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
    {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ MOSIKARE
    Correspondent, OARABILE (2009-08-06). "Muzilas sign divorce settlement". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
    {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ "No. 1116: Botswana's Weekly Report". www.laits.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-10.