18 May 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has awarded medals to 131 staff members who have excelled in serving the nation during Botswana Prisons Day celebrations in Mahalapye on Saturday, May 17.

President Khama decorated 56 officers with the Botswana Prisons Service Distinguished Service Order which was an award for meritorious service with an exemplary record of at least 30 years of continuous service.

Another batch of 20 officers were honoured with Jubilee Service medal that was an honour to serve for at least 25 years continuously with a good service. Also, 23 officers got medals for long service and good conduct with at least 18 years of continuous service record.

Among those awarded were two deputy women commissioners Ms Shathani Moseki and Ms Ontlametse Motshebe both for serving with an exemplary record of 30 years of continuous service. Four of the officers who got medals have retired while another was awarded posthumously.

Botswana prisons was celebrating 56th anniversary of their existence. The celebrations were held under the theme ‘Building a more inclusive prison management-inspiring change’.

And Botswana Prisons Services commissioner, Mr Silas Motlalekgosi said the theme reflected their enduring commitment and constant quest for achieving transformation agenda. He said transformation was a team effort and that teams that worked harmoniously towards one common goal always succeeded.

He said the theme also represents the value BPS hold to promote cohesion and unity of effort by all cadres and most importantly by both genders. He also noted that it was pleasing that part of BPS senior management who were driving the transformation effort were women, hence the recent appointments of two deputy commissioners responsible for prisoner rehabilitation and corporate services respectively.

Commissioner Motlalekgosi also noted that the theme was appropriate for the day for they have partnered with different other stakeholders to make a difference in the lives of prisoners be it inside prison and outside prison.

The day’s annual celebration was graced by representatives of prison services from Lesotho, South Africa and Mozambique together with some cabinet ministers and House of Chiefs representatives.

Entertainment was galore and the famous Prison’s Band thrilled the audience with their parade displaying different styles of matches much to the amusement of the audience.

Ditiro Leero and other inmates also thrilled the audience with traditional music together with polka dancers doing their thing.

The day was filled with lots of activities such as the auction sale of livestock like Brown Swiss cattle, Boer goats and sale of fresh vegetable produce courtesy of prisoners.

Stalls from different departments also displayed their material in line with Prisons Services vision. ENDS