SHARING KNOWLEDGE
Princess Credit Union hosts international bank manager from Swaziland
Princess Credit Union hosts international bank manager from Swaziland.
Sibonsile Prudence Mabuza came to Canada to learn more about this country’s banking system —and that she did.
Mabuza is part of the Canadian Co-operative Association women’s mentorship program, which invites credit union managers from other countries to come to Canada to see how banking is done here.
The native of Swaziland was among 10 participants in the mentorship program and she was assigned to Princess Credit Union in Sydney Mines, where she worked alongside manager Brian McGean and assistant manager John Higgins from Sept. 25-29.
“We spent time with her during the week to show her how our credit union worked, the infrastructure of our credit union and how we do business within our community,” said McGean.
“We showed her some of the procedures and policies that we’ve implemented that help us in the day-to-day running of the credit union.”
Mabuza, 39, has been working at the Hlalawati Savings and Credit Co-operative Union as the branch manager since 2015. Her credit union has been involved in savings and credit for 14 years. It is computerized and has 1,943 members and 10 employees.
Because her organization is small, Mabuza is responsible for the entire operation, including finance as well as human resource management.
As part of the mentorship program, Mabuza was hoping to learn new managerial skills, effective strategies to grow membership, strategies to mobilize savings and how to train members on financial literacy.
“I’ve learned a lot, especially the way the credit union is run, everyone is very professional here,” said Mabuza. “I have challenges at my credit union, but Brian and John have been able to give me strategies on how to address those challenges.
“I’m hoping to improve and to run my organization in a very professional manner as they do here in Sydney Mines.”
Mabuza first arrived in Canada on Sept. 10, attending inclass sessions in Ottawa, before being placed at the Sydney Mines credit union.
McGean was extremely pleased with the placement.
“We’ve learned at our credit union a great deal from this fellow manager about her work in her country as well as the structure and the culture of her environment where she works,” said McGean.
“I believe it’s been a win, win for both parties here — I’m really glad we agreed to take part in this program.
“There is always a time and place to learn and if we can share what we know with someone else from another country and they can share what they know, I think it’s important and something we should always take advantage of.”
Mabuza, who is married and has two sons, was originally nervous about the program, but is happy with the outcome.
“I didn’t know how I would be received, but John and Brian were so good to me, they spoiled
me, I think my husband is in trouble now,” laughed Mabuza.
Following her time in Sydney Mines, Mabuza was scheduled to go back to Ottawa for another week of classroom sessions, before returning to her home country this week.
“I received more knowledge than I gave during my time in Sydney Mines,” said Mabuza. “Canada is known to be well advanced in the credit union, even in terms of technology and they
have been for many years, something I’ve seen first-hand and enjoyed learning about. I will implement all that I’ve learned because it’s possible.”
McGean said although Mabuza
will return to her own country, he hopes to have a professional relationship with her moving forward.
“Even though it’s many countries apart, through today’s media, we should be able to stay in contact and we’ve agreed to continue to offer any advice, suggestions or assistance that we can to help.”
With the success of this year’s program, McGean said if the opportunity arose to host another international manager, the credit union wouldn’t hesitate.
“These type of opportunities don’t come along all the time, but when they do I think it’s smart and prudent to take advantage of it,” he said. “She made a very positive impact on us.”