23 Jul 2017

Lobatse deputy district commissioner, Ms Koketso Sejakgomo says public officers need to constantly keep up with the times to meet the evolving demands and expectations of the public despite the challenges they face. 

Ms Sejakgomo said this at the Lobatse Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) Employee awards ceremony in Lobatse on July 21. 

She indicated that the successes and failures of any government organisation were attributed to public service performance.  

She therefore urged public officers to make use of the limited resources at their disposal and the need to develop a customer-centered approach, which ultimately places the needs of the customer, stakeholders and the entire nation first.

Celebrated under the theme: 'Recognising and Awarding Performance,' Ms Sejakgomo said the awards were critical and important as they recognised good performance in the institution as well as appreciating the impact of human capital in the attainment of organisational mandate. 

She further indicated that government departments were faced with the urgency to deliver improved and effective services to citizens with limited resources.

“It is therefore important to recognise, acknowledge and reward officers for their hard work, determination, commitment and outstanding teamwork performance,” she said.

Ms Sejakgomo also indicated that government recognised and acknowledged good performance as enshrined in the Public Service Act of 2008.

She said the Public Service Charter identified high performers by using eight principles. 

She therefore applauded officers who were awarded, saying they related and abode with the Public Service Charter principles, especially the principle of Due Diligence.

“This is an indication that officers serve their customers selflessly without any interest for personal gain and worked an extra mile,” she said.

Lobatse IHS awarded 21 employees in the categories of corporate, innovation, long service and good conduct, and performer of the year by cadre awards.

In her welcome remarks, Lobatse IHS principal, Ms Neo Kebiditswe said her institution promoted teamwork in the workplace.

She said they hoped to award not only employees, but students as well in future, as a way of encouraging excellence in their studies. ENDS