08 Apr 2019

It is crucial for government departments to inject motivation into their workforce by rewarding employees who set themselves apart in the execution of their day to day duties, says University of Botswana’s Professor Thapelo Otlogetswe.

Speaking during the Southern District Council performance awards ceremony in Kanye recently, Prof. Otlogetswe said it was paramount that public officers be motivated because they were critical drivers of government programmes.

A disgruntled public service would not help any government achieve its mandate, he said.

Prof. Otlogetswe therefore applauded the council for rewarding high performers in an effort to reinforce a culture of excellence.

He explained that the awards were intended for those who put in a bit more effort in the past year or came up with innovative ideas that produced results for the council, ministry and government.

Prof. Otlogetswe called on the council staff to discharge their duties with integrity which he said entailed doing their jobs to the best of their knowledge and abilities whether someone was watching or not.

“You are the legs and face of government, if you do not run fast enough or treat customers with dignity, they will ultimately lose confidence in government,” he warned.

To underscore his point, he shared a story about a certain German who visited a sculptor and was surprised that a mere scratch on the piece of art, which was to be erected some 20 metres high, would make him abandon it and start all over again.

“If the idol is that far up who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?” the German asked and the sculptor smiled and said, “I will know it.”

Prof. Otlogetswe said excellence was driven from the inside not outside.

One of the greatest challenges faced by government, he said, was delivery of services to Batswana adding that there was nothing as offensive as limited government resources delivered by demoralised, inefficient and impolite public servants.

He advised the council to ensure the awards were only directed at exceptional performers so that they were  meaningful to both recipients and those who did not make the grade.

Prof. Otlogetswe said the council would only achieve its mandate if officers from bottom-up worked together as a team.

Borrowing from a Tswana proverb, he said; “Tau e senang seboka e siiwa ke phuduhudu e tlhotsa, which loosely translates thus: a lion that hunts in solitude cannot catch even a weak, limping springbok.”

He said officers who worked in isolation would not efficiently deliver on projects and often times were unable to overcome small hurdles.

“No single workforce can depend on a single individual - all members from the most junior to the most senior, must commit to excellence,” he said.

He further challenged old timers to learn new skills from new blood rather than hoping to do things the same old way all the time.

The council’s deputy chairman, Mr Thamiso Chabalala impressed upon officers that their day to day mandate was to serve the nation.

He advised them to each chase perfection in the hope of catching excellence, which he described as a habit not an act.

Mr Chabalala further challenged supervisors to inspire confidence in their subordinates.

To this end, he urged managers to strengthen systems so that no individual officer would be missed when not on duty.  

“When you have to make calls to ascertain that things are running smoothly in your absence, know that something is very wrong,” he said.

Mr Chabalala further advised the council to come up with initiatives to reward good performers regularly rather than waiting for the annual event.

He said appreciating good performers was not always about money or a reward, explaining that a good word was also enough to motivate hard workers.

Like other speakers before him, he encouraged officers to always do the right thing because it was the right thing to do thing.

For his part, the council secretary Mr Charles Amos said his organisation was ready to work together with institutions and key stakeholders with a view to transforming the livelihoods of Batswana.

He said the council dreamt of creating economic opportunities for residents but was hamstrung by crime, limited financial resources, drought and the vast area of coverage.

Despite the challenges, he said he was proud of his workforce.

“We believe in ourselves, we believe we are a still growing team, all we need is support and impetus from stakeholders."

Mr Amos revealed that they would have a retreat to map out how to transform strategy into results.

He said they would not leave employees behind in a quest to improve the livelihoods of Batswana through adequate, accurate and timely service.

Meanwhile Mr Amos topped off the event by conferring the coveted council secretary’s award on Ms Oratile Masu.

He said the award was in recognition of a self- driven officer who executed service the best they could with or without supervision.

He said Ms Masu, an accountant, was a critical gatekeeper who ensured all SDC resources were utilised prudently.

Ms Merapelo Leselwa, Mr Dimane Disane, Ms Galaletsang Moroka, Mr Obolokile Ntenka, Mr Moral Mapatane, Ms Naledi Setlhako, Mr Phillip Kedise, Ogalaletse Motlhane, Osenotse Khiliwa, Ms Oroba Bareetseng, Keorapetse Kgaileng, Thato Moroka and Kefilwe Wamakone were some of the officers who were rewarded for living SDC’s values. ENDS