JULIA SAULUS TAKES THE HELM OF NEWLY CHARTERED MBABANE LIONS CLUB

By Tlalane Dlamini

MBABANE, ESWATINI — Businesswoman, community leader and children’s pastor Julia Saulus has taken the helm as the inaugural president of the newly chartered Mbabane Lions Club, pledging to turn the city’s community needs into opportunities for meaningful action.

The club was officially launched at a charter night held at Mountain View on August 22, 2026, with 22 citizens inducted into Lions Clubs International. Three additional members from the Manzini Lions Club, Thulani Shiba, Nosipho Msane and Bongani Khumalo were also welcomed, bringing the total number of inductees to 25.

The new club gives Mbabane its own Lions presence alongside the Manzini Lions Club, which was chartered in 1981.

A Leader Rooted in Service

Saulus brings extensive leadership experience to the presidency. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Leadership and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration.

As Operations Director at Africa Chicks, she has championed agricultural sustainability, food security and the empowerment of small-scale poultry farmers , values that closely align with her vision for community service.

Her commitment extends beyond business. As a children’s pastor, Saulus is actively involved in nurturing and supporting young people, while her role as a wife, mother and grandmother has further strengthened her belief in family and community.

Accepting the presidency, Saulus said the club’s formation represented more than the creation of another organisation.

“This charter night is not just the beginning of a new club; it is the realisation of a shared dream.”

Turning Service Into Action

Saulus made it clear that the Mbabane Lions Club would be defined by action rather than social gatherings.

“Mbabane is a beautiful, vibrant city, but like any community, it has gaps that need bridging. As Lions, we are here to find those gaps and fill them,” she said.

The club’s first community initiative will support vulnerable children at a care centre in Fonteyn through the provision of garden supplies. The project aims to equip children with practical skills to grow their own food while promoting food security and environmental sustainability.

“This project perfectly unites the Lions’ global focus on both relieving hunger and protecting our planet,” Saulus said.

A New Chapter for Mbabane

District Governor Mark van Heerden, who presided over the induction, highlighted the significance of the new club within District 410E.

The ceremony also featured contributions from Manzini Lions Club President Samukelo “Sammy” Msibi, Allister Tucket and Avril Hobbs, who reflected on the organisation’s long-standing commitment to service.

As the Mbabane Lions Club develops its work plan, its priorities are expected to include youth development, environmental protection and support for vulnerable families.

Saulus ended her inaugural address with a call for collective action.

“We are ready to collaborate, ready to work, and ready to serve.”

With 25 members now carrying the Lions’ “We Serve” mandate into Mbabane, the capital’s newest service organisation is preparing to turn that motto into tangible community impact.