26 Nov 2023

A holistic wellbeing of employees is neccessary for increased productivity, the Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti has said.

The minister, who speaking at Naledi Mining Services Company Wellness Day in Jwaneng on November 23, said a healthy workforce particularly in the mining industry was needed to drive the country’s economy and developments.

“Mining as an industry is known for its contribution to our economy and in order to sustain this contribution, there is a critical need to ensure that the people at the centre of the mining industry are well looked after, and this necessitates a comprehensive approach to their health and wellbeing,” Dr Dikoloti said.

He said wellness in the workplace was a much-needed investment for any organisation that strived for optimal results.

He said wellness of the employees did not only improve the overall morale but ultimately contributed towards enhanced performance.

The minister appreciated Naledi Mining for its commitment and dedication in investing in the health of its over 1 000 employees, who were instrumental in building the reputation of the company as a leading service provider in the mining sector.

He said such initiatives resonated with the national health agenda.

“The wellbeing of citizens is not confined to clinics and hospitals alone, it tends to every corner of our lives including our workplaces,” he noted.

Additionally, Dr Dikoloti said government had taken a deliberate decision to prioritise mental health, which was another component contributing to the holistic wellbeing of a person.

He implored people to seek help and not regard mental health as a sign of weakness on their part.

While he commended Naledi Mining for being proactive in addressing the wellbeing of its employees through a shared responsibility approach, Dr Dikoloti underscored the need to acknowledge the diverse cultures when devising a tailor-made wellness strategy.

“Wellness initiatives should be culturally sensitive and consider the unique needs which may include indigenous communities,” he said.

He implored communities to adopt preventative healthcare measures and promote healthy lifestyles, which contributed towards combating non-communicable diseases and others related to lifestyles.

Naledi Mining Services senior manager, Mr Bokang Thitoyamore said through the theme: Empowering Wellbeing, Fuelling Excellence, the initiative was intended to show the company’s commitment to holistic wellbeing of employees.

“We stand committed to creating an ecosystem where the whole Naledi team can flourish in every aspect of our lives, from physical health to mental resilience, from fostering a supportive work environment to embracing a healthy work life balance,” he explained.

Mr Thitoyamore acknowledged that besides the primary mandate in providing mining services, the wealth of the company was dependent on the health and happiness of its employees.

He said the human resource was a fundamental aspect of any organisation, hence the need to promote their wellbeing in all aspects.

Mr Thitoyamore attributed the company’s reputation and success to its commitment to ensuring a healthy, motivated and engaged workforce.

“At the core of our success is the wellbeing of our people. Wellness is not just about the absence of illness, but it is about flourishing in every aspect of life. It encompasses physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing,” he said.

He said it was important for employees to adopt healthy living as part of their daily lifestyles to ensure sustainability.

For his part, Jwaneng deputy mayor, Mr Koolopile Pema applauded Naledi Mining for recognising the importance of a healthy workforce and its contribution to the economy of the country.

He said the Jwaneng population was largely made of young people, whose expertise and skills were needed to grow the country. ENDS