10 Nov 2015

Public servants have been encouraged to always come up with innovative ideas if they are to be a world class centre in the provision of services.

Speaking during the Kgatleng District Council Awards ceremony held at Rasesa, secretary of Rural Development Council, Mr Berzack Maphakwane said public servants should make a difference in the communities they serve.

He said doing what they have always done without yielding tangible results was no longer acceptable, more so that their vision is to be a world class centre for social service, basic infrastructure and local governance.

Mr Maphakwane further said awards ceremonies are meant to appreciate and recognise those who expressed themselves better in the past year, whose efforts ought to be rewarded.  “We are all winners in our own right but not everybody can be given an award.”

He opined that there are good employees in the Kgatleng council with potential to be great employees provided the management provides guidance and support.

He said managers have the responsibility to inspire and lead, but sometimes they have to make difficult decisions and deal with under performers, hence everyone should pull their weight.

Mr Maphakwane implored public servants to serve the people with a smile, politeness, efficiency and patience, adding that they have an obligation to do their best. “I am committed to this, our ministry is committed to this, government is committed to this, and now we need your commitment. 

We need to work together to deliver that change, hence the theme for this event Inspired Workforce for Improved Productivity.”

Delivering welcome remarks, Kgatleng District Council chairperson, Mr Mpho Morolong encouraged Kgatleng employees to pull up their socks and make the district what it was before.

He said they used to be the number one district in Botswana and time has come for the position to be restored.

Mr Morolong further said cordial relations between officers and councillors could help with service delivering because they work with people on the ground.

The council chairperson said therefore service delivery needs concerted efforts and all stakeholders to take part in making sure that Batswana are assisted.

He added that public servants should adhere to the set service standards so that the public is helped accordingly.

In closing, council secretary, Mr Nelson Mogapi said there was need for every employee to pull up their socks and work hard to serve the nation. Ends