28 Apr 2014

Supervisors in various government and parastatal organisations in Palapye have been urged to own and drive the Botswana National Service Programme (BNSP).

The programme, dubbed Tirelo Setshaba, is a volunteer programme and community service initiative that would enable youth participation and engagement in the development of their communities, hence promoting patriotism.

The programme came into effect on April 1 with the aim to tap on the creativity and energy of young people, foster behavioural change and instill a sense of responsibility and accountability to the youth aged between 18 and 30 years.

Speaking at the Supervisors workshop held at Majestic Five Hotel, BNSP coordinator Dr Bathsheba Mbongwe said supervisors should own this programme and ensure that it was delivered in an effective and efficient manner.

She said BNSP commonly known as Tirelo Sechaba may be a programme under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture but it is the supervisors’ responsibility to ensure that Tirelo Sechaba participants (TSPs) worked as specified in the guidelines.

Supervisors, she said should know what is expected of them as per the guidelines and pleaded with them to engage TSPs and work harmoniously with them. She said at the end of the day TSPs were expected to learn something in areas they were attached to and contribute to the development of this country.

She also appealed to the supervisors to be patient when dealing with TSPs because most of them were new in the work environment and do not know the rules and regulations of organisations they were attached to.

She said therefore it was the responsibility of supervisors to guide and monitor TSPs attached to their respective organisations. However she warned supervisors not send TSPs to run their personal errands.

For her part the Deputy District Commissioner Ms Veronica Rabakane said supervisors should lead by example and instill a sense of discipline in TSPs.
She said they should teach their TSPs what is expected of them as civil servants in terms of service delivery and the spirit of botho. Ends