adminLeonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
THE Public Service Commission on Friday organised a retreat in Victoria Falls for secretaries attached to different Government offices as a way of showing appreciation for their commitment to duty.
About 150 secretaries attached to Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Principal Directors and Legal Advisors attended the one day event which saw some being awarded in various categories.
All participants also received shields for attending the 2017 secretaries day and had $60 deposited into their bank accounts by the PSC. Speaking at the occasion, deputy chairperson of the PSC Dr Mary Muchada said the objective was to show the secretaries that they were key to Government policy.
“The secretary’s day started in the 1950s but we have not been having it at national level. This year we decided to have it and we are here with 150 secretaries who have served more than 30 years each,” she said.
Dr Muchada said the gesture was meant to show Government commitment as well as assure civil servants that the employer was alive to their plight.
“They are the key drivers of Zim Asset so we are here to give them confidence that they have a role to play. We are not here just for holiday but on an educational experience as we want these people to be change agents,” said Dr Muchada.
She challenged the secretaries to embrace technological advances and be a step ahead of their bosses, as well as use social media for the good of the organisations.
“The main principle that drives an efficient executive assistant is commitment to continuously improve,” she said.
Mrs Maritha Murisa Rakafa from Home Affairs Ministry was honoured with the personality award and was given a $150 voucher. Mrs Rufaro Bote, a secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing’s legal office was awarded with the long service award after working for 39 years. She was given $300.
Mrs Tsitsi Muvingi was awarded a second long service award for her 38 years in Government where she is secretary to one of the directors in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The programme is in collaboration with Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (Zipam). -@ncubeleon
derick.khumalo