01 May 2019

The outgoing Francistown Youth Coordinator Ms Minkie Bokole has been described as an epitome of leadership the country desires in 21st century.

This was said by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development Programmes Coordinator (North), Mr Jacob Sekgoni at a farewell party hosted for Ms Bokole in Francistown recently. Mr Sekgoni explained that under her leadership, Francistown MYSC District had always been in the top three position of the ministry’s awards, first gaining position three, two and one respectively.

He explained that the district had excelled in many areas particularly in the four areas of team building, stakeholder collaboration, timely submission of reports and  payment of suppliers. 

Mr Sekgoni said team building activities for staff had always been on point and many staff members had been motivated and recognised for their efforts under Ms Bokole’s leadership.

In addition, he said stakeholder collaboration through the Francistown MYSC office had been able to do extra ordinary things, which could not be done by other districts such as collaboration with the Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE), the private and parastatal sectors. Regarding timely submission of reports, Mr Sekgoni explained that the Francistown office rarely missed deadlines and reports were always comprehensive. 

Mr Sekgoni said the district also excelled in the payment of suppliers and beneficiaries. 

“It is therefore fitting that such a leader could have her staff bid her farewell in this grand style. I therefore wish to thank everyone, in particular the Francistown District staff, for organising this farewell,” he said.

He explained that Ms Bokole was not lost to the Francistown community, as she was just going to serve from the other side of the country and her tireless service, passion and commitment would continue to benefit the nation. 

In his welcome remarks, Deputy District Coordinator (Francistown) Mr Caiphus Kopelang said Ms Bokole was one of the people who made it a point that the ministry was visible and always relevant.

He said Ms Bokole set up the Francistown office in her capacity as District Coordinator and she  encountered a lot of challenges which included building a solid team and coming up with a strategic direction for the office.  

He explained that Ms Bokole managed to overcome the challenges and had many achievements including the ministry’s visibility and relevance. 

Mr Kopelang said “MmaB” as she was affectionately called, leaves behind a solid team, which is one of the best performing districts in the country.

“In her attempt to build the team, MmaB presented herself as a parent, counsellor and mentor and to some of us she managed to take us from the jaws of a lion,” he added. 

Mr Kopelang said Ms Bokole’s transfer to the southern district was a loss to the Francistown district but the district would always cherish the legacy she was leaving behind. Another speaker and a close friend to Ms Bokole, Mr Kite Nkala said MmaB’s departure, whom he described as a gem, was like a member of the family leaving.

He said Ms Bokole brought greatness to Francistown and she had made her mark in the district. 

For her part, Ms Bokole, who could not hide her excitement, said there should be a transformation and that the Francistwon residents allowed her to transform. 

She said she was leaving a legacy that she wanted nurtured.  ENDS