Treasure Maphanga (AD 83-85) is currently Managing Director Cilo Consulting in Swaziland, providing professional services in the areas of strategy, people management, institutional reform and enterprise development for the private sector, public sector and civil society in Africa. 

 

Previously Treasure was Chief Executive Officer for the Federation of Swaziland Employers, representing the private sector and Swaziland in diverse international forums.  Before that she held a number of  senior Human Resources positions in the private and public sectors as well as civil society in Swaziland and South Africa.  Treasure graduated from the Trent University, Ontario, Canada with a BA, Economics sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency. 

 

“I studied at Waterford KaMhlaba UWC during my junior high school years and applied to study the International Baccalaureate at UWC of the Adriatic.  I was interested in this UWC campus due to its proximity to the former Eastern Bloc and also the requirement of learning Italian.  I was really interested in languages and I thought that the idea of being immersed in a community would be a great way to learn.  Due to the differences in the start of the school years, I started studying the IB at my school, then in May I found out I had been accepted at Adriatic College.  By then I had already completed two terms, but I was happy to start again with my class mates in September.  I had a real fascination with the eastern bloc at that time and I was very curious to see behind the iron curtain.  The geographic location of Adriatic College was what appealed to me the most – I imagined it would be a great position to start learning more about the world.” recalls Treasure.
 
“UWC opened up horizons that I would never have dreamt as possible.  Exposure to different countries and ways of thinking – shaping and giving meaning to the idea that people can work together irrespective of where they come from.  Leaving my comfort zone, venturing to a new land helped me discover who I was; it challenged my mind set and ways of thinking.  What remains with me is the real sense of community that we experienced at UWC, it was remarkable.  The College is located in a small town by the sea, and it created an energy and impetus that it was a special place.  At a UWC you can be a part of something but you are not forced to conform – it was always left open to the individual student to find out what their contribution could be or what their role was in this changing environment.   It was interesting to me to discover the amount of flexibility and latitude that we were given.  I was grateful that I wasn’t forced at a young age to choose my career.  The variety of subjects within the IB allowed and encouraged me to explore a lot of subjects in greater detail before choosing my degree and career.  Also there were only a few rules and we were really treated like young adults.  This was both a little frightening but also very exciting – we were made to take responsibility for our decisions and therefore we thought through things a lot before taking action. 

 

“Also I had an interesting bridge after UWC. I wanted to continue my education overseas and study law, but funding was an issue.  I applied for a scholarship at Trent University in Canada, which at that time, a former Pearson College Principal ran their International Programme with financial support for scholarships from CIDA – Canadian International Development Agency.  Trent was a liberal arts university and I thought this would be a great place to study.  The Trent International Programme  had a number of  UWC graduates from all over the world as well as other International students.  In many respects Trent and UWC shared a lot of the same values and ethos.
 
“Basically UWC made me realise that I didn’t have to make single choice – it made me aware of all the choices available to me.  I knew I could have stayed in Canada but I wanted to return home and give something back.  This giving back – to my family, community and the country – is now a big motivation in my life.  The idea of staying in Canada was attractive but having been given a great privilege, I wanted to give back.  I have never felt that it was mine for the taking – but rather a very special opportunity that was given to me.  I have a responsibility to ensure that other students have the same opportunities.  I think I have ended up in Human Resources because at the core of it, UWC shaped my ability to value people and appreciate all the things that different people bring and valuing their skills.

 

“I am really pleased with what I have done so far.  I have developed a career but not sacrificed having a family.  I have three children (one is at Waterford and another  is planning to attend next year) and I believe that having a good family life has kept my feet on the ground with my career.  My role at the Federation of Swaziland Employers is something I am very proud of.  As CEO I was responsible for merging the Employer Federation and the Chamber of Commerce, stream line services and re-position it nationally and internationally.  It was a challenging role combining the core business of serving the membership and forging a new organisation and identity. It was a high profile role and it was entrusted to a young woman.  Normally this type of role would be filled by a gentleman approaching retirement.  And this was not something restricted to Swaziland, I would attend conferences throughout Africa and all the other delegates would be older gentlemen.  It was a massive change of mindset that this role could be successfully managed by someone younger and I was pleased to learn that my replacement was also a young woman.  Seven years ago I was invited to serve on the Governing Council at Waterford KaMhlaba which at that time was a very male dominated governing council.  It is wonderful to be identified as a leader in your own country and by your peers.

 

"I am very active in my community, I keep thinking that I can’t get any busier than this – but then something else needs my attention and I do!  I sometimes think I should focus my energy on one or two projects but community service is something that has stuck with me from UWC and whilst there is so much to do, it is hard to turn your back on it.