16 Jan 2017

Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi says as the nation steps into 2017, heading for the commencement of the 2017/2018 financial year in April, civil servants must pull up their socks, work hard, render services accordingly to the society and help take the country to another level.

Mr Morupisi made this call in an interview on the sidelines of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project being undertaken by Performance Improvement Committee (PIC) Task Force team at Botshabelo ward in Selebi Phikwe on January 14.

The CSR project, where the officials raised funds from their pockets to build a shower and toilet for an elderly person, Ms Oganne Lucas, was a wrap up to a three-day retreat programme the team held in Selebi Phikwe.

Mr Morupisi said civil servants must understand that the nation had vested their trust on them and depends on them to provide services accordingly as well as help develop the nation.

He said civil servants must strive to do their best when pursuing their obligations for this objective to be realised.

He explained that as the PIC Task Force they hold a retreat programme annually in the beginning of the year to reflect and review their performance as ministries looking at the achievements accomplished and challenges experienced in the previous year as well as map a way forward, among other things.

He said at this year’s retreat, besides reviewing their performance as ministries, they looked at Vision 2036, the National Development Plan 11 as well as development projects and programmes for the 2017/ 2018 financial year to determine if they are aligned accordingly to realise government’s main objectives of poverty eradication, employment creation, diversification and development of the economy, combating corruption and upholding the well being of the nation.

Mr Morupisi stated that this year they chose to hold their strategic retreat in Selebi Phikwe to get firsthand information on how the town was coping after the closure of BCL Mine.

Further, he said the move was meant to discuss some government programmes and projects earmarked to help revive Selebi Phikwe and create employment in the coming financial year and in future.

In the meantime, Mr Morupisi said as part of their retreat they conduct a CSR project as a way to give back to the community.

He said they liaise with council authorities and identify less privileged people and donate something or build a house, among other things, to those in need. He said compassion and caring have always been embedded in the Setswana culture.

For her part, Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Employment Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Ms Bunny Molosiwa indicated that they had held retreats in various places around the country annually such as Kang, Kasane, Maun, Palapye and Tsetsebjwe, among other places, where they also conducted community service projects to help the needy.

She said this time around they chose to build a toilet and shower for Ms Lucas. She also indicated that Selebi Phikwe Town council also contributed to the initiative.

Meanwhile, deputy Mayor, Mr Molefhi Pilane appreciated the good gesture by the senior officials.

He said what they had one was in response to President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s call to help fellow Batswana who were in need.

He said the toilet and shower being built for Ms Lucas would change her life for the better.

Mr Pilane further acknowledged PIC Task Force for holding their retreat in the mining town, indicating that it shows that government was committed to resuscitating Selebi Phikwe after the closure of the BCL Mine.

He said he was looking forward to seeing programmes and projects being implemented and positively impacting on the town and region at large. The beneficiary of the CSR project, Ms Lucas thanked the government officials for the gift.

She also thanked President Khama for pioneering projects aimed at taking care of less privileged people in the society, indicating that many people including her have had their lives uplifted.

She also called on Batswana to also strive to uplift their own lives and not look up to government for everything. BOPA