When the Business Telegraph team visited Mrs. Mukwandi Chibesakunda at her office in Lusaka last year, her words were “I have already identified low hanging fruit which will be quick wins as we transform the governance of Natsave, we have alot of work to do but we will get there.”
A year later in her role as Chief Executive Officer, Mukwandi’ s efforts are being noticed on the continent. Mukwandi Chibesakunda is not new to global banking as she has vast experience having worked for international banks such as Standard Chartered and Standard Bank holding very senior positions. Setting out to transform a state owned local bank, she is determined to grow balance sheet, digitize platforms, radically transform governance and drive performance harder.
African Leadership Awards hosted by the African Leadership Magazine United Kingdom awarded National Savings and Credit Bank CEO, Mrs. Mukwandi Chibesakunda the Business Excellence Leadership Award. This was at a function held in Sandton, at the convention center Johannesburg South Africa.
The award was in recognition of her efforts to transform the state owned bank that has grappled with challenges as an autopsy of legacy issues.
Mukwandi shared hall of fame with top CEOs in her league such as MD of Bank of Industry Nigeria – Olukayode Pitan, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airline – Tewolde Cebre, RoviaGate Technology Liberia CEO – Klark Oliver Jr, UAE Head of CBRN – Ahmed Zaid Al Shemeili, Deputy High Commissioner of Tanzania Rosemary Zairo, CEO & Founder of Famran Solutions – Shamila Ramjawan, President of Skill Group Morocco – Jebbar Mohammed, CEO of Dominion International Petroleum – David Jones Mensah and CEO of Laraf Group Mozambique – Faizal Antonio.
The Business Telegraph got up close with the Natsave Chief Executive Officer on the sidelines of the Africa Leadership Awards hosted by Africa Leadership Magazine to find out how she received the accolade.
BT: How do you feel about it?
MC: It’s an honor and a privilege for the team efforts made so far in terms of corporate governance improvements in National Savings and Credit Bank to have already been internationally recognized. We are on a turnaround journey and this is only the first phase.
BT: Did you see it coming?
MC: No I didn’t. When I was nominated, I initially thought it was some kind of hoax or money making venture. Our risk team then conducted a due diligence on African Leadership Magazine UK which we discovered was real. This is truly God’s grace at work… To quote the magazine publishers ‘positive African leadership rarely makes headlines’ so they would like to bring out the great stories of people doing their best on the continent both in big way and small ways. I am truly humbled to have made the list with some eminent personalities on the continent. This is a clear testimony to the fact that we are making a difference and people are actually taking notice.
BT: What’s your next target?
MC: Sustainability and growth for Natsave. This can only be achieved through local support gained by credible and transparent business delivery.
BT: What’s your message to those aspiring to be like you?
MC: You can do it. We all stand on shoulders of great men and women of Zambia and are paving the way for the next generation. Believe in yourself, set a clear vision – most importantly get started!
The annual African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award is designed to showcase and celebrate Africa’s finest business, political and diplomatic leaders who are contributing to the continent’s growth and development.