BOTSWANA POST REFURBISHES POST OFFICES
Botswana Post will spend P7 million in refurbishing postal offices across the country to grow its assets value and provide innovative technology solutions as the traditional postal services is slowly becoming obsolete due to modern technology changes.
Officially opening the refurbished Sikwane Post Office last week, Botswana Post Chief Executive Officer, Cornelius Ramatlhakwane said in line with this Strategic objective, they are in the process of delivering nine refurbished or newly built Post Offices to communities nation-wide with a budget of just over P7 Million. “Included within this budget is the building of ablution facilities; that is 27 new toilets at Post offices around the country. This Property development plan involves the refurbishment of Post Offices in Rakops, Maun, Tatisiding, Sikwane, Pandamatenga, Tumasera, Moshupa, Ntlhantlhe and the establishment of a new Post Office in Ramotlabaki.”
He explained that they aim to enhance these Post Offices with an objective to increase operational space, enhance the property’s security and improve ergonomics for employees serving the community. He said their efforts at leveraging technology for growth have led to a significant increase in the number of products and services offered; at times leading to congestion at Post Offices.
“One of our new services addressing the issue of congestion during peak periods is the Virtual Teller Machines. They are an extension of the postal branches, providing automated channel to some of our products and services. They will offer 24hr customer convenience and allow Botswana Post to accrue revenue after postal operating hours and will also act as a channel for banking and non-banking institutions.”
Among the services offered would be the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) Vehicle License renewals, Mobile Vend Top-ups, DSTV Subscriptions, Post Box Renewals, PosoMoney, Insurance Premiums (Motshidisi/Mosako), Prepaid Electricity sales, and airtime sales.
Minister of Transport and Communications, Thulaganyo Segokgo commended Botswana Post for making significant strides with the introduction of technologies such as the Virtual Post Box, online services, and today’s reveal of the Virtual Teller Machine as part of the organisation’s business strategy. “The world has entered the 4th Industrial revolution, making strides towards a more inclusive global information society by improving transport infrastructure and communications networks. Through innovative efforts at BotswanaPost, communities around the country can keep pace with global trends towards digitisation.”
Botswna Post Chairman, Moses Kgabi said as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Botswana Post saw a significant decline in its financial performance.
“Not only did Covid-19 halt much of the international postal sector for significant periods, it also undermined our business strategies and plans. Against this background, we were forced to become creative and develop new ideas and methods to serve our communities.”
He said they have prioritised the decongestion of post offices by migrating services online whilst also increasing the physical channels to services by partnering with local outlets through the Kiosk initiative. “Secondly, as part of the interim strategy, we have set a strategic agenda that includes the creation and preservation of our property values. Through initiatives linked to this objective, we have defined a plan to expand, refurbish and build post offices across the country to grow our asset values, while also rejuvenating our physical infrastructure for the benefit of local communities.”