during the annual Premier's Excellence Awards Ceremony held in Mafikeng last
night
14 December 2007
North West Public Works department last night (Thursday) won the most
prestigious Platinum Award for the best 2007 performing department in the
province.
This was in addition to three more that were scooped during a glittering
ceremony held at the Convention Centre, Mafikeng, last night. More about this
later.
Ten departments, including the Office of the Premier were vying for the
Platinum Award which is likened to a top-drawer award in the Premier Service
Excellence Awards.
One of the judges, Cynthia Chishimba, said no department deserved the award
other than Public Works.
She said that department proved to have a very strong management and staff,
worked as a team and integrated the Batho Pele Principles well in its strategic
plan.
"Compared to other departments, Public Works has got very strong regions in
Bojanala and Bophirima. The impact these regions are making on the ground is
quite wide and their (Public Works) involvement of the community in their
programmes is good," Chishimba said.
Turning to the other three awards, the department walked away with silver
and bronze in the Best Performing Directorate category.
The awards went to both Bophirima (Vryburg) and Bojanala (Rustenburg)
regions respectively. The department's school renovation programme in Bojanala
also won silver in the Best Performing Programme category.
These annual awards are designed to recognise project teams, business units
and institutions which highlight the provincial government's commitment to the
philosophy of Batho Pele and transformation of service delivery.
They also aim to establish, promote and maintain high levels of service
standards, qualities and dedication to the work of government; to encourage a
culture of selflessness and dedication in public service.
In celebrating the department's success, MEC Jerry Thibedi said:
``These awards are an embodiment of commitment and dedication displayed by
all of us at Public Works. People have to work hard for them not for personal
glory but help improve the kind of service we give to our citizens in the true
spirit of Batho Pele,'' he said.
Addressing the event, Premier Edna Molewa said the hard work displayed by
public servants was critical for the advancements of the province economic
growth targets.
"It is on the basis of standards beyond the ordinary that we shall maintain
our upward economic growth, thus making our Provincial Growth and Development
Strategy more than just a document but a palpable reality for our citizen,"
Molewa said.
She added and acknowledged however that the provincial government still had
a lot to do in terms of certain areas of service delivery.
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
14 December 2007
