24 Feb 2019

Officers assigned to drive cabinet ministers have been urged to take their profession seriously and look for ways to earn a living from their vocation even after retirement. 

These sentiments were expressed by the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, when addressing an annual dinner hosted by Borre Ba Lekgotla La Bakgweetsi Ba Matona a Puso, an organisation of 28 government drivers who served the cabinet.  

The event was held in Gaborone on February 23, where President Masisi said professional drivers tended to serve in the civil service then retire to become small scale farmers when there was more to be pursued in their trade.

“I am not saying there is anything wrong with going to tend to livestock in the cattle post, but there is so much more that can be derived from your profession. 

You could use your experience serving dignitaries to go on to work in other countries, or end up starting your own business of being a chauffeur to international VIP guests who come to the country,” Dr Masisi said.

The President revealed that when he got to spend time in New York City in the United States of America when his wife was working there, people derived financial benefit from being chauffeurs to high-end clients.

“They dress smart and drive expensive cars such as limousines, and their clients are leading members of the society and guests in five-star hotels. 

You should also think outside the box and look for ways of exploring means of gaining greater benefit from what you do, by retiring into such business,” he stated.

Dr Masisi also urged the drivers to empower themselves by learning more about the use of technology such as the use of global positioning system (GPS). 

He further expressed the view that government appreciated the work done by drivers in the civil service and urged those who worked with cabinet ministers to appreciate the importance of their work. 

“You are given cars that came at a cost to the public purse. 

These are the property of the general public and it is important that you take good care of such national assets. 

If there are international dignitaries who have to use such vehicles they must find them in good condition,” the President pleaded. 

The President urged the drivers to always be presentable and aspire for the highest level of service, etiquette and good mannerisms in order to be good ambassadors to the government and cabinet ministers they serve.  

Dr Masisi said the ministerial drivers would soon get a new uniform and also said the government was always looking to improve the conditions of service for all public sector employees. 

The chairperson of Borre Ba Lekgotla, Mr Kagiso Letsholo expressed gratitude to government for the recent training the ministerial drivers recently underwent. 

"We were recently equipped with further training in January and we are grateful to the government. We normally hold this dinner in December, but because the President had a busy schedule and we wanted him to be present we delayed until February, and we are thankful that he saw it fit to make time to grace this occasion," Mr Letsholo said. ends