01 Dec 2020

Retirement does not necessarily mean one would have a simpler or comfortable life. 

It would seem most retirees face a number of challenges including what they would do with their money in so far as health care or insurance coverage are concerned. 

Conversely, retirement means leaving the workforce or trading ones job for days for somewhat challenging viz a viz leisure. 

While many would hope to reach such a time, it means they therefore should be financially prepared in order to enjoy life after leaving the workforce.

It was on this backdrop that permanent secretary in the Ministry of Land Management Water and Sanitation Services, Ms Bonolo Khumotaka encouraged retirees to be ahead of time in preparing for their retirement.

She was addressing a pre-retirement workshop for the ministry staff recently where facilitators from different entities made presentations and shared information on retirement.

Facilitators included those from Local Enterprise Authority, Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund as well as motivational speakers, among others.

Nevertheless, Ms Khumotaka applauded them for working tiressly for government and advised them to always work hard for what they wished to accomplish during retirement. 

“I also encourage you to form cooperatives as it has been realised that they bear fruits. Also be in the habit to exercise in your daily routine, eating healthy so that you maintain a good healthy lifestyle,” he said. 

In their appreciation, most participants thanked facilitators for the workshop, saying it was an eye opener given that they did not have a clue of how they would spend their days after retirement.

Meanwhile, Ms Khumotaka indicated that in 2019, the ministry started an initiative that aimed to prepare retirees for transition or transformation post their jobs where they would invite professionals to share with expertise and prepare ‘pensioners’ to enjoy their retirement period. ends