15 Sep 2019

Organisations that celebrate, reward and recognise their employees reap the benefits of a dedicated, motivated and self-driven workforce, resulting in an envisioned transformation.

The sentiments were echoed by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Ms Bogolo Kenewendo at her ministry’s 2018/2019 excellence awards ceremony themed; Celebrating People: Investing in Transformational Excellence, on September 13.

Minister Kenewendo said her ministry continuously recognised and celebrated its employees throughout the years adding that excellent organisations succeeded through their people.

She said the awards ceremony was meant to congratulate awardees for their excellent performance in service delivery and to encourage other ministry staff to also aspire for excellence in executing their duties.

“We are celebrating here today, not only success that is within the team MITI, but celebrating the success that we have shared with our stakeholders that make what we do possible, easier and worthwhile,” she said

She said the success was a culmination of discipline, dedication and determination as demonstrated by the entire MITI team in their collective contribution towards the achievement of the ministry’s mandate and impacting on the lives of Batswana.

Minister Kenewendo also recognised and thanked President Dr Mogweetsi Masisi for leading the nation ably and for playing a meaningful role towards the realisation of her ministry’s mandate and what it had achieved.

In her welcome remarks, the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary to the President and outgoing ministry permanent secretary, Ms Peggy Serame said it was a great honour for her to had been part of a high performing team.

As the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry is transitioning to become two ministries, next year, Ms Serame paid tribute to the team, including staff, executive, parastatals and board chairpersons for their dedication and effort through the years.

She also thanked Minister Kenewendo and her Assistant Minster, Mr Karabo Gare for their guidance and for injecting fresh thinking, ideas and energy into the ministry. She further appreciated all the ministry stakeholders and partners for their support.

From the 20 awards categories, Mr Kaboyaone Kesiilwe scooped Best Mentor award: Ms Kebonyetshepo Maswe scooped Best Performing Intern award, Mr Peter Dichaba scooped Best Performing Tirelo Sechaba Participant award, while  Best Performing Temporary Employee award went to Ms Kgalalelo Phillipo.

Other awards were scooped by the following; Best District Office award went to Jwaneng Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs office, Best Performing Parastatal award went to Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency and Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, MITI Best Athlete award won by Ms Lucia Molefe, Best District Officer award went to Mr Puso Herbert, MITI Overall Best Performer award won by Ms Kelebogile Kgathi and while Ms Bogolo Motladiile received the Best Innovative Project award.  

In the Special Awards category, Gabz FM scooped the Stakeholder award, Permanent Secretary’s Special award went to Ms Sezelani Ross, while the Minister’s Special award went to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise Apex Group for showing dedication and embracing the ministry’s innovative project- Apex Model, while Ms Polly Lucas scooped the Distinguished officer award .

Meanwhile, Ms Serame also presented surprise awards to Ms Kenewendo and Mr Gare in recognition of their dedicated leadership. ENDS