In an attempt to position itself in the fast changing market, BotswanaPost launched Kitsong Center at Sikwane Post Office in Kwatleng District in a bid to be relevant to the technology dependent market.
The Center, the latest in a series BotswanaPost intends to rollout across the country targeting particularly the disadvantaged rural folks, is replete with electronic items, such as Internet and fax machines.
The move is aimed at shrugging off suggestions that the traditional post office, as an institution, is nearing extinction.
Speaking at the ceremony, Botswana Post’s Retail Manager, Ned Phatshwane, expressed great enthusiasm over the accomplishment of the project saying, “it is a significant milestone towards bringing the rural villages closer”.
It has been a daunting task in the past, he recalled, to communicate to fellow relatives and friends via postal letters, which often took some days to reach their destination.
But thanks to the advent of the computers and other technological devices, he said, with just an instant touch of the device the messages are delivered to rightful and legitimate recipients.
“Instead of going to neighbouring Mochudi, all these transactions will take place at Sikwane post office.”
Although he praised the advent of these technologies, Phatshwane lamented the under-usage of the postal boxes across the country, which he said had dwindled considerably, particularly in the Kgatleng district – despite reliable courier services in place that transport and service the entire country.
“BotswanaPost has experienced a massive downturn with postal letters. People are no longer communicating with their relatives and friends via postal letters.”
He said if current trends persist in Kgatleng — particularly at Sikwane — BotswanaPost would not have a choice but to cease operations of the postal boxes.
“These postal boxes were constructed with a fortune to generate profit in the long run,” he said.
Phatshwane pleaded with the Bakgatla to purchase the postal boxes and to put at halt the tendency to share these postal boxes.
Most Bakgatla are taking a free ride on either the kgotla or the school postal boxes rather than having their own personal postal boxes at a token fee.
“It is plausible and sensible to own a post box,” he emphasized.
Other services the Center would provide include lamination, the sale of Mascom and Orange cards and the licence services.
All these services, according to Phatshwane, would surely bring life and sustain BotswanaPost.
