02 May 2016

The Ombudsman, Ms Festinah Bakwena, has retired from public service after four years at the helm of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Ms Bakwena was appointed the Ombudsman in 2012. When announcing her retirement at Ombudsman’s first ever awards ceremony in Gaborone  on Friday, Ms Bakwena called on government to be supportive to the Ombudsman as well as equip the office with necessary resources.

“It really is in the hands of government and Parliament to make the Ombudsman that kind of the Ombudsman they would like to see, instead of criticising and discouraging people who have been given the mandate and are working so hard,” she said.

She said she also hoped to find the media that was more supportive with positive comments especially that the office’s footprint was not much.

At the ceremony, a message from President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama that was read by Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) director, Ms Ruth Maphorisa.

The message read, “today is a bitter sweet evening as we bid farewell to Ms Festinah Shale Bakwena.”

Ms Bakwena’s illustrious career in the public service commenced in 1973 when she was first employed as a secondary school teacher.

She progressed in various positions in different ministries.

She was appointed deputy permanent secretary in the Office of the President and later to the education ministry before assuming a post as DPSM director.

She served as permanent secretary in the ministries of communications, science and technology  as well as education and skills development, among others.

She was honoured with Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2009.

Meanwhile, Office of the Ombudsman recognised employees’ outstanding performance during its first awards ceremony.

Ms Bakwena said awards were their first ever since the advent of Performance Based Reward System (PBRS).

She explained that the purpose of the awards was to encourage individuals and institutional excellence as well as motivate those who did not receive awards to work harder.

However, she said the office had grown albeit slowly because they continued to receive 1 000 complaints in a year for the past 19 years of existence with turnaround time also improving from three to six months and sometimes one to three months.

Ms Bakwena said the office footprint had also increased because initially there were only two operating offices in Gaborone and Francistown, adding however offices in Maun and the Tsabong were underway.

Awards included, distinguished service, exemplary employee, best in customer care, team achievement, top achiever in community outreach and long service and good conduct.

Teams and individuals received certificates, trophies and money in other categories. ENDS