11 Apr 2017

The successful implementation of Vision 2036 during NDP 11 needs to be driven by a structured delivery mechanism based on enhanced monitoring and evaluation.

Speaking the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration (MOPAGPA) strategic planning workshop in Gaborone on April 11, permanent secretary in the ministry, Ms Kebonye

Moepeng said it was their responsibility as the apex ministry to actively contribute to national prosperity by coordinating and promoting policies, programmes, projects and initiatives that would carry the country forward on its path to sustained development.

She said in that way the ministry would be sure to build a diversified economy that leaves no citizen behind.

The objective of the meeting was to ensure development of key performance indicators and strategic initiatives that would allow the ministry to play its critical role in adding value to the lives of Batswana, she said.

Ms Moepeng said during the month of April, her ministry, along with the rest of government, began the implementation of the current National Development Plan (NDP), which dovetails with the start of their new Vision 2036 countdown.

“This gathering to chart our strategic plan for the next five years coincides with what is a crucial turning point for government, and indeed the country as a whole,” she said.

She stated that the ultimate goal of the nation was encapsulated in the NDP 11 theme, which challenged everyone to play their part in realising an Inclusive Growth for the Realisation of Sustainable Employment Creation and Poverty Eradication.

Again, she said the NDP 11 theme was further aligned to the new Vision 2036, whose goal was to ensure the delivery of prosperity for all and ensuring that every Motswana enjoyed a dignified livelihood.

She said their over arching goal under the sustainable economic development pillar was to see Botswana transformed into a high-income country, where continued growth was underpinned by a diversified and export-led economy.

She indicated that the aim of the human and social development pillar was to build upon the legacy of a moral and tolerant society that was inclusive of all Batswana.

Ms Moepeng further highlighted that with respect to good governance, peace and security by 2036, the ministry was challenged to ensure that Botswana remained a bastion of freedom, security and discipline by upholding the rule of law.

She said their approach should continue to be guided by the cardinal principles of good governance by practicing fair conduct as well as responsiveness to colleagues and customers at all times.

She said there was need to remain mindful of the delivery agenda, which translated into national priorities, which were to make job creation priority number one, take Batswana out of poverty, increase education funding, eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and fight corruption in all its manifestations.

Ms Moepeng said as the apex Ministry it was also their responsibility to enable the political leadership to lead the country forward and deliver on its NDP 11 and Vision 2016 commitments..

“We should be both the owners and champions of a strategic alignment that drives government’s progressive transformation through the synergy of reforms, continuous improvement and innovation,” she noted.

To achieve such, she said officers must proactively play their roles as coordinators in ensuring that there was productive interface between the political leadership and the civil service, as well as interactive engagement with the public.

“Let us be further mindful of the fact that we as Batswana are part of a global economy that is increasingly driven by the application of digital technologies in the processes of production and distribution, as well as marketing and communication,” she said.

Further, she said the ministry had now added responsibilities of coordinating efforts at local as well as national and international levels, of which in the strategic context brought on board the district commissioners as an integral part of the management team.

“Let us make this a truly working workshop that will enable us to have a good annual performance plan that will be a proper linkage between the plan and our long term strategic goals,” she concluded. ENDS