02 Nov 2015

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, has commended members of staff who went an extra mile to ensure the ministry succeeds.

Speaking at her ministry’s award ceremony in Palapye recently, Ms Tshireletso congratulated award winners for bearing the torch of good performance.

She said they had made a significant mark in achievement of the ministry’s mandate. She urged award recipients to continue working hard, adding that success was a continuous journey. 

“Today’s success is not the glory of tomorrow, even eagles need a push and if you do not catalyse your own success you will be overtaken by those who try harder to explore new ways and alternatives,” she said.

 Ms Tshireletso urged teams, individuals and districts that did not make it not to give up.

The secret, she said, was to plan, commit, execute and continue to improve, adding “you should never allow past failures to put you down; pick up the pieces and move on,” she counseled.

Furthermore she said employees should be motivated and recognised throughout the entire ministry. She commended some districts that recognised their employees.

“I wish to appreciate their effort and encourage those lagging behind to emulate them,” she said.

She urged all to work hard, saying the Asian tigers, despite their size and limited natural resources, had changed the landscape with their most valuable resource; people.

She said Asian people continued to top the rank in productivity and positive work ethics, which public employees should strive for.

On the Economic Stimulus Programme, Ms Tshireletso urged all districts to rally behind the government to facilitate acceleration of construction projects and job creation especially through backlog eradication, construction of customary courts and others.

“Go out there and engage all the appropriate stakeholders to ensure implementation of policies, projects and programmes and consequently the achievement of the ministry mandate,” she said.

The awards ceremony was held prior to the ministry’s open day.

Ms Tshireletso awarded minister’s nominee award to Ms Goitsemang Maano of Francistown City Council. 

For his part, Assistant Minister Frank Van Der Westhuizen implored employees to work on being humble and selfless when providing services.

He said communities would judge their work as they delivered projects, adding that public service employees were servants of the people; thus there was no success if what they did was not appreciated by the people.

He urged them to be innovative and avoid doing things the old way. Ends