BL Premium reports that SA businessperson Mthunzi Mdwaba is confident of becoming the next boss of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) when the global labour agency elects its new director-general for a five-year term on Friday.

The ILO is a tripartite multilateral agency in the UN family made up of trade unions, businesses/employers, and governments. Mdwaba is former vice-president of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE). Mdwaba, who has served the ILO in senior positions for more than a decade, was upbeat, saying due to his concerted eight-month campaign, victory was certain. He commented on Thursday: “We have run a good race and having come this far is something we are extremely proud of. I am confident that the years and the last few months of investment in this campaign will yield the desired results.” His race has not been without controversy. Last year the SA government withdrew its support for his candidacy but declined to give reasons. This was after the state initially endorsed and approved R8m for his campaign but later withdrew support before any money was spent. Mdwaba is up against four candidates: Gilbert Houngbo of Togo, Kang Kyung-wha of the Republic of Korea, Muriel Pénicaud of France and Greg Vines of Australia. If Mdwaba is elected, he will become the first African at the helm of the ILO since its inception in 1919 and will assume office on 1 October 2022.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

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