Mixed feelings about new DPSM boss
Chakalisa Dube | Monday July 4, 2022 06:00
In a surprising move, Macholo was announced as the new DPSM director this week. She has spent over 20 years of her professional life in the private sector.
Her area of focus has been human resources and organisational development amongst others.
Until recently she was the head of human resources at Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB). Macholo has also held management positions at reputable organisations like Debswana.
Tobokani Rari of BOFEPUSU noted that the union does not have a problem with Machola’s credentials and competencies, but said they have few reservations about her appointment. BOFEPUSU is one of the country’s leading labour movements.
“I have interacted with her on several occasions outside the public service and I do not doubt her competencies or professionalism on human resources matters, issues relating to organisational structure and industrial relations,” Rari told Mmegi this week.
“She has the potential to turn things around if given the right platform and support to flourish.”
He added that the other worry for the federation is that Macholo boasts no experience in the public service. He argued that the position of DPSM director needs someone who has experience in the public service, is aware of bureaucratic bottlenecks and knows how decisions are made (in the public service).
He pointed out that a person with less experience in the public service might struggle to navigate past bureaucratic bottlenecks and ultimately fail.
“The other main challenge that she might face is political influence. At times technocrats at the government enclave are made to fail because of political influence. They are turned into robots because most decisions are politically motivated. Her success will partly be determined by how well she manages some of the challenges I have just mentioned,” Rari explained.
“Our hope is that the employer will afford her the space to independently exercise her professionalism, competencies and expertise.”
The BOFEPUSU leader further said he hopes that Macholo will prioritise improving the labour relations between the DPSM and trade unions which has been waning for years.
“She needs to cultivate a culture of candid and honest engagements with labour unions. She also must crack the whip on ministries that continue to do as they wish in relation to issues affecting the workers. Some ministries do not understand that they hold on mandate of the DPSM (when dealing with issues affecting workers) and act as they wish,” he said.
Rari also stated that Machola should ensure that the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) functions as a matter of urgency. According to him, the DPSM has for some time been sluggish in terms of ensuring that the PSBC functions. The PSBC has not been working for over four years.
“We cannot continue negotiating in a makeshift structure because the employer does not want to come to the party,” he bemoaned.