26 Aug 2014

Tati Town customary court president, Mr Edward Showa has encouraged the Botswana National Service Programme (BNSP) participants to serve their user departments with humility.

Speaking at a two-day orientation for the Francistown participants, Kgosi Showa said participants just like the public servants are expected to portray the right attitude when serving customers. He said they should be careful on how they communicate with clients, adding that in some instances they would have to deal with difficult customers.

Kgosi Showa noted that in such instances they should not argue with the customers but always humble themselves. He, however, said while doing so they should not compromise the policies governing their user departments.

He also encouraged the participants to further their studies while in the programme in order to maximise their chances of being employed permanently. Participants were requested to refrain from alcohol and drug abuse, adding that the substance could impact negatively on their behaviour and attitudes.

For his part, Francistown City clerk, Mr Lebuile Israel implored the participants to take advantage of resources such as the internet at their work places to research and empower themselves.


He noted that through the use of internet they could explore the training and business opportunities available and better ways to compile proposals to benefit from government programmes such as the Youth Development Fund. Mr Israel urged the participants to perceive the BNSP positively and fully utilise it to reach their destiny.

He commended the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC) for bringing together other departments to empower the participants on their existing programmes. A former participant, Ms Kefositse Motona encouraged other participants not to look down on the programme as it has potential of opening opportunities for them.

Ms Motona noted that when the BNSP started, she was attached at the Civil and National Registration’s Identity cards distribution and while still serving, an internal advert seeking a driver was released. She explained that after getting a green light from her supervisors to apply she passed both the oral and written interview and she resumed duty at the beginning of this month.

Ms Motona encouraged her colleagues not to listen to those who condemn the programme but rather persevere. Ends