BotswanaPost’s ambitious drive to revamp their properties across the country starting with Tsabong and Bokspits post offices respectively is in line with ensuring that though, the organisation like many other business entities is faced with financial constraints compounded by the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still imperative to provide safe and efficient spaces to do business.
BotswanaPost has properties in almost every village, town, and city in Botswana, covering a network that includes 131 post offices, 20 kiosks, 75 postal agencies and 12 courier logistics hubs. Due to the expansion and remote nature of our locations, it makes BotswanaPost maintenance programs exceptionally expensive. Furthermore, the challenging business environment presented by the adverse effects of COVID-19 has meant the need to be financially prudent. As such curbing operational costs despite the need.
However, as BotswanaPost CEO reiterates, Post offices across the country are a hub of activity and ought to provide a conducive environment for business continuity. “This is paramount as post offices offer diverse services including mail, parcels, money order, postal boxes and philately services to our valued customers. Part of our business model includes partnerships with other service providers therefore the extensive product and service portfolio that BotswanaPost houses ought to be seamless”. Cornelius Ramatlhakwane.
To this end, BotswanaPost Management has taken a deliberate decision to do an interim strategy to revamp its post offices through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives where BotswanaPost staff led by the CEO and management dedicate time out of their busy work schedules to roll up their sleeves and do repairs of prioritized post offices. This initiative is aided in partnership with stakeholders in the communities we operate in. From the involvement of VDC’s, law enforcement agencies, the health sector, the education sector, district commissioners and Dikgosi.
The works include but not limited to minor repairs, paint works of the post offices structures, where necessary building enclosed counters as an additional precaution to aid in adhering to social distancing when accessing post office services and as well as building extra shelters for customers waiting to decongest the post offices.
Further to this BotswanaPost is planning to do major maintenance, replacement of air conditioners, and installation of power backup systems at some of its properties through negotiated contracts with its local business partners and community funding. This will assist in saving costs during this difficult period of navigating the impact Covid -19 has had on the business.
