Botswana Post says it wants to be a technological company while at the same time transforming into a one stop shop, as it guns for reaching the target mark of half a billion Pula in revenue by 2016.
The post office’s Chief Executive Officer, Pele Moleta, said on the just released annual report for 2013 that this ambition will be achieved through implementation of the Icon of Excellence Strategy.
“Botswana Post is currently in the midst of a far reaching transformation as we seek to modernize our services. We have been able to lay a solid foundation to transformation up to now,” said Moleta.
He said the aim is to convert Botswana Post into a highly technological company and a one-stop-shop for customers, offering an up market service experience with global product offerings and business centers. Botswana Post has partnered with a wide range of organizations from banks to electricity distributors as it looks at ways to generate income and capitalize on its footprint across the country. It has automated systems at its branches, which would facilitate integration with third party platforms and thus reduce manual work and ease reconciliation.
Already, Botswana Post sells electricity on behalf of Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) as it was awarded the super vendor contract by the state owned power utility because of its diverse postal network. The post office also partnered with First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) to allow easy purchase of electricity and teamed up with Hollard Life Botswana to avail funeral insurance products across the country, where the post office has a presence. Recently, Botswana Post also modernized facilitation process of the Department of Social Protection payments by introducing a Poso Card that will allow the elderly to swipe. It also launched the Poso Cloud, which will interconnect small businesses, large enterprises and communities together. Recently, Moleta announced that they have been awarded a Value Added Network (VAN) license that allows them to compete in the internet market.
“This will be achieved through full implementation of our Icon of Excellence Strategy. During the year under review, the board allowed for extension of period of implementation from an initial deadline of 2014 to 2016,” said Moleta.
The move was made in recognition of the challenges that the post office faces such as access to funding, timely decision making, funding the Universal Service Obligation, which has a funding gap of between P40-60 million, workforce renewal and shareholder compact.
“The revised attainment date aligns our strategy to Botswana’s
national vision 2016. By this date, ICT should have enabled access to progressively more services, including those of government, to people even in remote areas” Moleta said.
He added that to that end Botswana Post’s modernization will be a critical driver in realizing this national vision, as it brings more services to customers and improve access to the Post Office.
Moleta added that they will continue to drive automation in mail
sorting- a move which will save time and resources, while transportation has been outsourced to Botswana Couriers, a subsidiary of Botswana Post.
“This move has enabled us to leverage the existing transport matrix offered by Botswana Couriers, thereby reducing the number of vehicles on the roads,” said Moleta.
