Botswana Post Chairman, Nathan Kgabi said delay in reimbursement for Universal Service Obligation (USO) by the government is still a major challenge and this affects the organisation's delivery of services. Addressing the media recently, Kgabi said government has appointed the Post as the universal service provider and that there is enabling legislation supporting that mandate but the missing part is the full reimbursement of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) which would allow the organisation's operations to be agile, effective and enable the Company to provide its customers with best service.
“One major challenge of the postal service is the Company’s balance sheet and liquidity.” USO declares that all Batswana, no matter where they may live in the country are entitled to the benefit of Botswana Post’s services. To effectively deliver its mandate, the postal service needs to be reimbursed by the government. Kgabi explained that it is critical to have a strong balance sheet because Botswana Posts’ Property is holding back its value in terms of Balance Sheet. “If we could refurbish all our Post Offices in ensuring to deliver the required postal density of 18 000 people per post office, the result is an increase Fixed Assets property value of the organisation, whilst at the same time increasing our customer reach, creating social satisfaction because we will be reaching people on behalf of Government.
This would allow Botswana Post to commercialise that property and reduce the cost of universal service.” As part of the sustainable development agenda, Botswana Post was in December 2023, awarded a sponsorship of P 1,1 million by the Universal Postal Union (UPU)’s Disaster Recovery Management (DRM) fund for the development of five solar powered Post Offices and seven satellite phones. The project is expected to commence before the end of this financial year 2024-2025. Identified locations for the Solar Installations include, Mabule, Pitshane Molopo, Ramotlabaki, Bokspits / Tsabong, and Seronga while locations for the satellite phones include at Letlhakane (2), Palapye, Francistown, Maun, Gumare, Seronga and Shakawe.
“One major challenge of the postal service is the Company’s balance sheet and liquidity.” USO declares that all Batswana, no matter where they may live in the country are entitled to the benefit of Botswana Post’s services. To effectively deliver its mandate, the postal service needs to be reimbursed by the government. Kgabi explained that it is critical to have a strong balance sheet because Botswana Posts’ Property is holding back its value in terms of Balance Sheet. “If we could refurbish all our Post Offices in ensuring to deliver the required postal density of 18 000 people per post office, the result is an increase Fixed Assets property value of the organisation, whilst at the same time increasing our customer reach, creating social satisfaction because we will be reaching people on behalf of Government.
This would allow Botswana Post to commercialise that property and reduce the cost of universal service.” As part of the sustainable development agenda, Botswana Post was in December 2023, awarded a sponsorship of P 1,1 million by the Universal Postal Union (UPU)’s Disaster Recovery Management (DRM) fund for the development of five solar powered Post Offices and seven satellite phones. The project is expected to commence before the end of this financial year 2024-2025. Identified locations for the Solar Installations include, Mabule, Pitshane Molopo, Ramotlabaki, Bokspits / Tsabong, and Seronga while locations for the satellite phones include at Letlhakane (2), Palapye, Francistown, Maun, Gumare, Seronga and Shakawe.
