19 May 2019

Rewards are a spur for employees to perform better, former Central District agricultural coordinator has said.

Speaking at the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security excellence awards ceremony in Serowe recently, Ms Fatima Makgethe said rewards were additional remuneration in recognition of achievement and a powerful incentive to motivate employees.

She said labour force was the engine of the ministry and encouraged team spirit among employees and their supervisors.

Ms Makgethe stated that besides monetary incentive, other stimuli including job satisfaction, security, promotion and pride for accomplishment could drive an employee to do better.

She mentioned that without labour force there would be no production in the workplace hence it was important for organisations to arouse employees to enhance commitment. Satisfying a person psychologically, she said led to job satisfaction and shaped their behaviour towards work.

She observed that agriculture was the engine of growth, economic sustenance and development adding that employees working in the ministry of agriculture were critical because they ensured food availability which without, there would be no life.

“Clothes, timber, shelter and medicine all come from agriculture,” stated Ms Makgethe.

She encouraged recipients not to relax and encouraged those who did not receive awards to pull up their socks. The acting district coordinator, Mr Gwilizana Maposa said the awards were not funded by government but donations and employees’ contributions.

He said team spirit drove the initiative whose objective was to recognise employees who worked hard and motivate staff to put more effort. The awards also encourage healthy competition, team spirit and self-esteem. ENDS