03 Dec 2014

Former District Commissioner and now specially nominated councillor for Francistown City Council (FCC) Ms Silvia Muzila has been elected as the first woman mayor.

Cllr Muzila was the only candidate nominated for the mayoral position and Cllr Lechedzani Modenga of Mosele-wa-Pula ward was elected as the deputy mayor unopposed.

After the election in her maiden speech, Cllr Muzila promised the full council that she is going to work hard to develop the city. 

She said they should work hard as a team to achieve the city’s Vision 2022 and make it a centre of vibrance. The city clerk, Mr Lebuile Israel said that due to many challenges encountered by FCC, councillors should work together in eradicating poverty to meet the expectations of the community at large.

Mr Israel said through that leadership, they would be able to serve and also accomplish their vision to change Francistown to a better place.

He said they are pleased to have politicians as they add value to the city’s well-being, adding that the decision makers would satisfy their customers’ needs. 

Francistown City is made up of 24 councillors, 18 of whom are from the BDP, while BCP and UDC each has three.

Meanwhile, a background of the new Mayor indicates that she has 36 years of work experience in the public service.

Cllr Muzila managed to develop and implement housing projects in support of the National Housing Policy. 

She was also one of the first women police officers in the country who dealt with criminal issues arising in the community of Francistown and the surrounding villages. 

She lost the Francistown South parliamentary seat to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Mr Wynter Mmolotsi in the October 24 General Elections. ENDS