Lindokuhle Mkhize appointed as eThekwini Municipality's executive director for operations management

In a transformative stride towards operational excellence, the eThekwini Municipality has appointed Lindokuhle Mkhize as its new Executive Director for Operations Management.

Mkhize's appointment, which became effective this month, demonstrated the municipality's commitment to stabilising issues related to service delivery and fostering gender equality in technical leadership.

Her ascendance marks the second time that a woman has risen to a senior executive role within the municipality, which is viewed as a step in the right direction for increased inclusivity and institutional reform.

"Operations management is the engine room of the city," she said in describing the crucial areas of responsibility that she will preside over, covering water, electricity, roads, solid waste, fleet, fire services, customer service, and the Area Based Management programme.

Mkhize has a rich reservoir of experience in governance, engineering, and operational oversight. Prior to her new appointment, she held the position of Deputy Head for Internal Audit and Capital Programmes within the city, where her leadership facilitated the introduction of performance auditing, risk-based frameworks, compliance enhancements, and more transparent executive reporting.

Her portfolio of work also extends to her tenure with Transnet National Ports Authority, where Mkhize rose through the ranks from junior engineer to manager for port planning, while serving on the national Infrastructure Executive Committee.

There, she spearheaded significant initiatives, including the Liquid Bulk Strategy and master planning for the Durban and Cape Town ports. Having recently acted as Transnet's Chief Operations Officer (COO), she gained invaluable insight into the everyday challenges faced by frontline service delivery.

"Acting as the COO gave me direct insight into the challenges our depots and directorates face. It showed me what must change and how urgently we must act," she said.

With a forward-thinking vision, Mkhize aims to implement a series of operational strategies designed to bolster performance at the municipality. These initiatives include the establishment of weekly operational war rooms driven by real-time data, clear targets for senior managers, structured escalation systems, and early warning tools.

She also plans to convert the City Manager’s unannounced depot visits into a systematic improvement programme supported by dashboards and action plans.

A proponent of technology-driven reform, her strategic focus will encompass predictive maintenance models and the development of a digital operations command centre, among others.

"Firmness with fairness is my leadership philosophy," she declared. Mkhize believes that clarity in expectations, coupled with consistent consequences, empowers teams to excel. "People want to work where excellence is the norm," she added.

Beyond her operational ambitions, Mkhize appreciates the weight of responsibility her appointment carries. "I am honoured to step into this role, not only as an individual but as a symbol of what is possible for women in leadership. I hope to widen the door for others," she said.

Mkhize's educational qualification reads: MSc in Coastal Engineering and Port Development from UNESCO IHE in the Netherlands, a BTech in Construction Management, and a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Ednick Msweli was also appointed as the city's executive director in the Technical Services Department, which includes the water, electricity, and sanitation directorates among others, this week. The city said Msweli’s appointment was part of its commitment to ensuring ratepayers receive value for money.

The municipal directorates that form part of the Technical Services Department include Water and Sanitation Services, Waste Management, Energy Management, Engineering Services, Human Settlements, EThekwini Transport Authority, and Road Infrastructure Management.

While Msweli will be in charge of sanitation services, waste, and other aspects, Mkhize would oversee water, electricity, roads, waste, fleet, fire services, customer services, and area-based management.

Msweli is a civil engineer by profession and is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa as a Professional Engineering Technologist, with over 31 years of experience, most of which has been in the water and sanitation sector.

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