Financial transparency concerns emerge within ESA
MBABANE – The Eswatini Swimming Association (ESA) is facing financial transparency concerns raised by key stakeholders, including affiliated clubs and parents within the organisation.
The transparency issues within the association have been brought into the spotlight after the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) recently unveiled a E560 000 fund from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Solidarity programme for the ESA. This financial boost was recently announced by EOCGA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maxwell Jele, last month during a press conference held at their headquarters in Lobamba. The funding came under the IOC’s Development of National Sports Systems (DNSS) programme, which aims to strengthen national sports structures.
However, stakeholders remain sceptical about how the funds will be monitored and allocated, amid persistent reports of a lack of transparency within the association. The association’s Treasurer, Bongiwe Dlamini, has reportedly failed to release a comprehensive financial report since the last annual general meeting (AGM) held on September 30, last year, further fuelling concerns and leaving members in the dark about the current state of the association’s finances.
As the demand for accountability grows, key stakeholders have come to the publication expressing their apprehension over the lack of disclosure and communication from the association’s leadership. One concerned stakeholder expressed uncertainty about how the funds are being utilised, emphasising the need for a thorough follow-up to ensure proper financial management within the association. “During the annual general meeting held on September 30 of last year, our treasurer failed to present the financial report as expected. She promised to hold a separate meeting in October dedicated to the financial report, but that meeting never took place. Consequently, we remain in the dark about the current financial situation of the Eswatini Swimming Association even to this day.” the source revealed
ACCOUNTABILITY
Another stakeholder pledged that the calls for accountability would persist, as they would continue to voice their dissatisfaction with the ongoing lack of transparency and communication from the association’s leadership. “It has become increasingly clear that our association urgently needs transparency, as members and the broader sporting community call for a thorough investigation into the matter. To maintain trust and support from stakeholders and protect the integrity of the sport in the region, the Eswatini Swimming Association must address these concerns and provide a clear, detailed account of its financial standing,” the source shared.
Meanwhile, ESA Secretary General (SG) Nozipho Mahlalela emphasised the association’s structure, highlighting that its eight executive members collectively made decisions and no single individual was responsible for transactions. “As the secretary general of ESA, I can assure you that our financial records are accessible to all members, including Board members upon request. This level of transparency ensures that financial secrecy has no place in our organisation. Furthermore, our partnership with the EOCGA adds an extra layer of accountability and transparency to our financial practices, which we take very seriously,” she said.
Mahlalela shared that as an association they had identified the gaps in governance and how the association needed to improve its governance. “As part of our continuous efforts to improve the Eswatini swimming, we reached out to SwimSA for assistance in strengthening our governance, structures, budgeting and financial reporting.
“SwimSA President Alan Fritz has graciously agreed to mentor our association and visits our country monthly to oversee the EOCGCA budget. Additionally, World Aquatics, our governing body, has given their approval to our budget for the EOCGA-provided funds. While the association manages these funds, we have appointed Alan Fritz from SwimSA as an expert to handle the DNNS funding. This collaborative approach guarantees that resources are allocated and used effectively, contributing to the development of Eswatini’s swimming infrastructure and the advancement of our athletes.” she added.
She emphasised that financial transparency was a top priority within the executive Board, adding that financial statements were circulated on a monthly basis to all executive members. The association’s Treasurer, Bongiwe Dlamini, addressed questions regarding the association’s financial reports, revealing that the most significant challenge stemmed from the resignation of the former secretary general and treasurer. Dlamini said these resignations had a substantial impact on the leadership of ESA, as the two former Board members held crucial positions. “As the association’s treasurer, I would like to assure you that we have engaged auditors who are currently helping us reconcile our financial reports. When we apply for funding from EOCGA, we always provide a detailed plan on how the funds will be used, and each allocation is designated for specific projects,” she said.
The treasurer emphasised the importance of understanding the challenges that arise when key positions, such as the secretary general and treasurer, become vacant. She highlighted that maintaining smooth financial operations can be difficult, and disruptions may occur in the organisation’s overall functioning. “As the treasurer, I understand that the plan was to release the financial reports in January, but unforeseen challenges, including the resignation of key personnel, have caused delays. We are working diligently behind the scenes to ensure the financial documents are transparent and accurate, but we cannot disclose all the details to the media due to the complexity of the situation. We have engaged SNG to assist us in resolving the matter, and providing our cooperation to expedite the process,” she added.
ESA President Welcome Nhlabatsi and Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maxwell Jele were unavailable for comment at the time this report was compiled.