13 Jun 2016

Ikanyeng Mosweu and Boipelo Mbakile are the winners of this year’s  annual Mr and Ms Public Service 2016.

The two managed to beat other contestants at the finals, which were held at Boipuso Hall over the weekend, where all government ministries clashed in contest for the title, pocketing amongst other prizes P50 000, which they are to share.

Mr Public Service 2016 winner, Mosweu, who was representing the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, is a trainer at Madirelo Training and Testing Centre, while Ms Public Service 2016 winner, Mbakile, is a health officer at the Ministry of Health.

The duo is expected to come up with projects to support and improve the public service.

While relaying his project, Mosweu said it has come to his understanding that there were delays experienced by clients in accessing government service requirements portal, therefore his project was aimed at re-engineering the process of enquiry.

“This is going to be achieved by the introduction of a solution of a mobile application which shall be used, thus making the information available where there was network coverage. In this case information will be brought promptly at the client’s disposal,” he said.

He regretted that although government was constrained by lack of resources, he was confident that his developers were keen to develop the application, which could reduce the burden from the government, adding that government would only have to assist with voice prompts, with marketing and advertising inclusive.

For her part, Mbakile said her project was about reducing maternal mortality, which she defined as the death of a pregnant woman or a mother after giving birth.

“This is an agonizing reality as this year alone, about 130 women lost their lives due to abortion. Last year in Marina hospital, we had an average of about 150 cases of abortion in a month,” she said.

She said her project was aimed at partnering with one of the mobile networks whereby they could create a pregnancy care sms advice, which could reach every woman wherever they were without fear of being discriminated.

“Not only that, I will also empower the young woman.  This was part of the millennium development goals, it has not been achieved, it is now our sustainable development goals, and I am on the race to make this a reality in 2036,” she said.

She said her task was sensitive more so that it was illegal, but promised to portray the information in a receptive way.

Other prizes won included best Botswana pride outfit, best project and most photogenic personality.

The event which was held amid pomp and glamour included performances on stage which ushered contestants from the love doctor, Luzibo, Sereetsi and the Natives, Mpho Sebina and marvellous African drum ensemble from Mafitlhakgosi. ENDS