16 Dec 2013

The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama, last week gave awards of excellence and distinction to long-serving employees of his ministry.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Gaborone, Mr Khama said it was a testament to their spirit of respect for diversity and teamwork. Mr Khama urged employees who were recognised for long and dedicated service to the public to serve Botswana with pride and integrity; and they should continue to shape and mould the lives and future of their customers.

A total of 205 officers got awards for excellence, distinction, innovation, team spirit and special awards. Criteria for winning the award included the evaluation of achievements of an individual, discipline, dedication and general conduct.

Minister Khama told those  retiring that the ceremony marked the culmination of many years of service to Botswana and that they moulded other public servants. He said the remaining awardees were now the custodians of the ministry and were charged to continue the outstanding work and to think creatively to improve the works of the ministry.

He said the ministry was mandated with the stewardship of nature and it was its duty to protect and take care of the environment. He noted that customers and beneficiaries often tended to take public servants for granted and failed to appreciate the work necessary to run an efficient and non-corrupt government.

He said it was a fact that government had limited resources such as computers, transport and money. However, he said, achievers focus, not on shortages, but on what they could do in spite of the shortages. This is, he said, distinguished an ordinary officer from an extraordinary one.

Mr Khama said his ministry was among the top four best performing ministries; and the staff deserved the honour for such an achievement. ENDS