27 Aug 2020

Veteran BOPA reporter, Ms Kitso Simon on August 25 retired from the civil service, after 39 years of service.

When bidding colleagues farewell in Palapye, Ms Simon urged civil servants to take their work seriously, bearing in mind that they were there to serve the nation.

She also advised civil servants to use their salaries prudently, not live beyond their means and to develop a habit of saving or investing for their future.

She said the public service journey was long, required patience and discipline, urging administration and human resource officers to counsel/advise officers on retirement processes.

Ms Simon has left a mark in the media fraternity as she worked both as reporter for the Dailynews and for Radio Botswana’s Tatediso ya Dikgang progamme. 

Her journey started in 1981 as messenger in the then Department of Information and Broadcasting, after completing her Junior Certificate. 

She later completed her BGCSE and underwent news writing training in the department.

She has been posted to Letlhakane, under the mentorship of former Bureau Chief, the late, Mr David Matshediso where she was jack of all trades, working as a messenger, administration officer, transport officer and a reporter.

“I enjoyed my journey as a civil servant and a reporter in that I learnt a lot during my service and met many people from different backgrounds,” she said.

She also indicated that she had the privilege of covering some events addressed by  Botswana’s second President, Sir Ketumile Masire. 

Mr Moses Bakoko, who has worked with her since 1990, when he joined the public service, described her as a humble and caring person. 

He said Ms Simon was a hard worker, adding that she taught him a lot about news writing and presenting Tatediso ya Dikgang. ends