25 Sep 2016

Just days before the country’s 50^th Golden jubilee, a flush-back on Botswana’s success securely fits. 

Head of advocacy, e-Government, Mr Gaogaufi Mako told BOPA that Botswana had made notable strides in transforming from a bureaucratic government into an automated enterprise.  

“For a longtime, dating back to 1965, government was paper oriented and modernisation was only a dream until the invention of computers in early 80s,” said Mr Mako. 

Mr Mako revealed that even with the introduction of computers, achieving maximum convenient and sufficient service delivery was still a challenge due to lack of business reengineering. That is when the e-government strategy was brainstormed and formulated to bridge the gap. 

Subsequently, government invested heavily on international connectivity, technology and innovation to realise the dream of a client-centric government, which provides quality services that are also timely.

Weighing the successes of the national strategy, he acknowledged that e-government had registered many successes despite challenges encountered. He said government was currently playing exactly where it was required.

 Singling out some of the achievements, he mentioned that back in the days, school results were only posted at school premises; an occurrence which he deemed costly to the customers. 

‘Presently, in the new-testament, education results can be accessed and viewed from the comfort of one’s home through the use of technology. Through the use of court-kiosk, customers are able to check progress on their cases. There is also sesigo Internet served at public libraries and it is accessible to the public at no cost,” he said.

He recited that the current government was more customer-centric and convenient and there was direct communication with customers on their mobile phones by either calling or sending notification messages. 

He also cited the growing trend of on-line services such as e-filing for tax returns, company registrations at CIPA and the integrated patient management amongst others.

 Government has also established service centres where government departments are housed under one roof for convenience, sustainability and efficiency.

He stated that Botswana currently stands at an astonishing 163 per cent of mobile penetration and in recognition of that, plans were underway to have some services accessed on mobile phones.

Mr Mako insisted that Batswana must ensure that they take advantage of the current efforts by government to improve service delivery. 

He also urged Batswana to start developing interest in technology and innovation because that is where the world is going. 

E-government strategy was officially launched in September 2012, charged with modernisation of government, the enhancement of transparency, accountability, efficiency, convenience and good governance to make government more result-oriented. ENDS