Sylvia Muzila (at times referred to as Sylvia Tabitha Muzila née Nlea) is a Motswana politician and first female mayor of Francistown, Botswana. Politically affiliated to the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), she was elected to this position in 2014 and served up till 2019.[1] Muzila was also among the first cohort of women to be recruited in the then Botswana Police Force.
Sylvia Muzila | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Francistown | |
| Preceded by | James Kgalajwe |
| Succeeded by | Godisang Radisigo |
| Special Councillor, Francistown City Council | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sylvia Tabitha Nlea Dombodema, Zimbabwe |
| Political party | Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham |
| Awards | Botswana's Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2005 |
Background and education
Muzila was born Sylvia Tabitha Nlea in Dombodema, Zimbabwe.[2] She has a degree in Urban Development in addition to a Master's of Social Science degree in Development Administration which she obtained in 1989 from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.[3][2]
Career
Muzila was among the first eight women to join Botswana Police Service in Francistown in 1971 which she left in 1978[2][4] She then joined the Selebi Phikwe Town Council as a Community Clerk and was then transferred to the Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA).[3] After her Masters studies, she served as a Housing Officer in Botswana's Ministry of Lands and Housing.[2]
Between 1996 and 2008, Muzila was the District Commissioner, first for Gaborone, before being appointed to Kweneng, the North East and finally Francistown in 2008.[2][5]
Muzila joined active politics in 2008.[6] In December 2014, on the ticket of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Muzila was elected unopposed for her first two and a half year term as the first female Mayor of Francistown after other party Councillors withdrew from the mayoral race.[7] She was re-elected unopposed to the same position in 2017[8]
She is also the owner of Thabitha Secondary School in Francistown.[9][10]
Personal life
Muzila was married to Robert Muzila, a Francistown councillor, whom she divorced in 2009[11][12]
Awards
Muzila was a recipient of Botswana's Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2005.[13]