17 Jun 2019

Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation has been applauded for positioning Botswana as a respected and influential player in global affairs.

Speaking at the performance awards ceremony for the ministry, the minister Dr Unity Dow said they had engaging extensively with the international community in pursuit of Botswana’s interests.

The ministry staff was also commended on the facilitation of the country’s participation in regional, continental and multilateral platforms.

“Further, we have increased our global footprint by opening a diplomatic mission in France, which brings the total number of our resident representation abroad to 23,” Dr Dow stated.

As a result of these efforts, she noted, Botswana had gained more recognition and goodwill from her international friends and partners.

She however urged the employees to continue working as a collective to propel the ministry to become a high performance organisation. “Let us not forget that we are the lucky ones; the ones the nation has entrusted with the privilege of running international affairs,” she stated.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Gaeimelwe Goitsemang encouraged staff to embody the values and principles of the Public Service Charter as well as the ministry’s, which emphasise integrity, patriotism and Botho, among others.

“These values are what builds a rounded officer, in addition to a refined set of skills to your specific job role,” he noted.

One of the awards recipients, Ms Tebatso Baleseng, who was awarded for being the best in creativity and innovation, credited resolute focus and commitment for her win. “Whatever role you play, however little or big it is, every public servant must know that they have a contribution to make,” she noted.

Ms Baleseng, who is assistant director in multilateral affairs department, stated that she got the award because she goes above her call of duty to pursue potential opportunities within multilateral bodies, where Botswana stands to benefit.

“No one is going to call you and tell you about those, so I take it upon myself to look for those and how they can best benefit Botswana,” she said.

Other awards categories ranged from best performer, best change agent, best performing committees, most instrumental sports person and sports excellence, among others.

The awards were the ministry’s third performance awards. ENDS