16 Jun 2013

From Kazungula in the extreme north of the country to the south-most village of Bokspits, they deliver policies and services that are important to the lives of over two million Batswana.

Whereas some would be working on existing agendas such as the need to get people to work and reform the health service, others would be working on emerging policies such as the unpopular alcohol levy. There is no doubt that the work the public servants do is challenging, yet it matters and makes a difference to the nation.

Like everyone, they are often asked to do more with less, particularly in the face of substantial economic challenges, arguably the biggest since the 1980s’ ‘family relief,’ a term coined by local people who had no clue it was called famine relief. 

However, it is only right that they support the national effort to deliver sustainable economic growth and be recognised for it, writes Ndiyane Masole of BOPA.

Throughout history, the civil service has reviewed the way it works in light of emerging challenges – from famine relief, which inspired ALDEP, now called ISPAAD, to the HIV pandemic, which made Botswana a great torch bearer in the fight against the AIDS scourge. Behind the scenes of the unfolding development story, Botswana government has been the directorship of hard working and dedicated public officers, the civil servants.

It is therefore befitting that hese public service charter-armoured men and women converged in Botswana’s capital city last week for a two day discourse to reflect, re-appraise and re-enact their service to the nation. Coming at a time when the Botswana civil service is going through a phase towards brighter days, and with the rebuilding and transformation of the public service to achieve Botswana’s Vision 2016, one can only conclude that the event was not only responsive, but timely.

Some dressed in their Sunday best, some in traditional blue leteitshi and others in black leggings and tiger print vests, public officers came in full force to deliberate and entertain, all in the name of better service delivery. If their well packaged presentations and lively choreographed dance moves were anything to go by, these were officers ready to travel the e-Governance route, beautifully spoken about by the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his opening speech.

As aptly agreed by all speakers during the first day of the commemoration, Botswana’s civil service has the potential to transform the collective challenges of the country if its immense energies are properly harnessed. But any new plan needs a stern reality check. It is against this backdrop that efforts to improve the capability of the civil service have been a constant feature in years gone by regarding civil service reform. However, despite endless plans, strategies, units and institutions, the civil service capability seems resistant to treatment.

In that respect, the deputy Permanent Secretary to the President, who is also director of public service management, Mr Carter Morupisi said, “Government made a deliberate effort of using the Public Service Act and other related acts as an instrument of public service transformation. In the course of the implementation of the PSA we have seen and have become part of a new public service, this is a public service that has hitherto drawn handsomely from the principles of the public service charter.”

Mr Morupisi further said that the celebrations coincided with 15 years of mainstreaming and institutionalising reforms within the public service, the intention being to provide a fresh and focused approach to improve service delivery by putting pressure on systems, procedures, attitudes and behaviour within the public service to have a radical shift in orientation. However, after that radical reform, civil service reforms have not gone beyond postulations, models, blueprints and the likes.

Perhaps the adrenaline rush of participation in different ball games, beauty pageant and choral competitions that characterised the two-day celebrations was motivation enough to change course, as alluded to by some officers who took part. “If there is one common precipice from the public service day celebrations on the future of the civil service in Botswana, it is that speakers at the event spoke with one voice. The future of the civil service is bright if only everyone involved is sincere and true to the course,” Ms Tshenolo Mokobane of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST) said.

Like author and motivational speaker, Steve Maraboli said, ‘that sometimes the greatest thing to come out of all your hard work isn’t what you get of it, but what you become of it’, Ms Mokobane said if only public officers could look beyond monetary benefits and put more effort in doing their work diligently, the public service would be a force to reckon with.

“I’m ready to work hard for this country and this ministry,” she said, pointing to the MIST logo on her t-shirt twice before rushing off to join her colleagues. Another public officer said he dreaded Omang Office.

Tshepo said he hoped such celebrations would bring about the spirit of change among public officer. Preferring to be referred to as Jigga, maybe as a result of his department being the least liked by the public, Tshepo said the public service needs to get back with ta 21st century programme.

He believes that time is of the essence in today’s world and that there is no better time to welcome e-Governance than today, as this will modernise and improve service delivery. “I personally hate queuing and on top of that being told that ‘system e ole’ (the system is down),” he said.

The Public Service celebrations are a brilliant way for public officers to champion the very best of the civil service, but they should only be the beginning of public officers’ celebration. As they deliver reform they need to learn from one another and share in other’s success.

When they get it right, as they frequently do each day from Point Drift to Mamuno, and all across the country, they should celebrate and shout about what they have achieved, also knowing that anything is possible if they change their attitude. ENDS