05 Oct 2015

Local government needs collective efforts to run accordingly, says Dr Daniel Tau, the founding executive of Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL).
Speaking at the staff performance awards for South East District recently, Dr Tau said employees should work in unison towards objectives in order to achieve greater results.          
He said unity would ensure proper management of resources and promote sharing among departments. He noted that motivation of employees was a rather complex process whose realisation required the application of an assortment of methods that could go beyond provision of monitoring rewards.             

He said employers had to invest time and other resources in thinking through and implementing a comprehensive strategy for keeping employees continuously motivated. Dr Tau said the complexity of this alone required an accountable leadership at all levels.             

He said South East District was worthy of commendation in this regard, as it had a leadership that was on top of its act and continuously engendered inspiration, competitiveness and excellence in the workplace.

Dr Tau said the wellness programmes institutionalised by the district and its ability to allow its talented workforce to accordingly shine went a long way in improving staff morale and enhancing self-esteem.  Secretary of reforms at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Keba Nyathi challenged employees to adhere to the tagline “a united workforce that service with commitment and humility”.             

She further said the tagline underscored that her ministry was a service provider and was the face of government. She said her ministry was the frontline of government delivery and if there was anyone underperforming, that would affect the entire ministry.

Ms Nyathi reminded the employees that the public assesses the employees’ performance through service feedback forms provided in various departments. She further said employee of the month was chosen from feedback of customers.

She commended the employees for jointly organising the celebration. Ms Nyathi said the three institutions form the foundation of the local government and without each other they could not achieve much.

Also, she said success was not about being number one, but at times, it was about being the best in what one has put in a particular piece of work. The awards were held under the theme, ‘A motivated workforce towards excellence’ and 93 employees received the award for long service employees.

It was awarded to employees who had served the ministry for over 25 years under South East district. Ms Ruth Manyelela served the ministry the longest with 39 years while Mr Mosimane Leburu and Ms Matilda Radifalana were some of the employees who were awarded best performer awards.    

The best innovator award went to Mr Robert Makhura and Mr Ishmael Thipe while Mr Kabelo Tidimane scooped the best team player award. Ms Keneilwe Ralenyena and Mr Shima Meile were those who received the overall annual performer award. ENDS