BackThe Office of the Ombudsman, Botswana is delighted to introduce, the newly appointed Ombudsman, Mrs. Festina Shale Bakwena, the former Director of Public Service Management. Mrs. Bakwena’s appointment will go down in the history of this country as a landmark, in view of the fact that she is the first woman to ever ascend to this highest position in the country since the inception of the Office in 1997.
Mrs. Festina Bakwena takes over from her late predecessor Mr. Ofentse Lepodise who passed away last year in October 2011. An educator by training, she began her distinguish career as a secondary-school teacher of history and English in the early seventies and rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential women in the country. Mrs. Bakwena has earned Master of Arts in Educational Research Methodology from the University of Pittsburgh (USA) and has also attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling Psychology, Columbia (USA) as well as Bachelor of Arts and CCE from the University of Botswana Lesotho and Swaziland in Maseru (Lesotho).
The newly appointed Ombudsman is a record breaker who brings with her, a wealth of vast experience with a sterling performance in the Public Service, which is a distinct advantage to the Office of the Ombudsman, as she is conversant with how the public organizations are supposed to operate. Ms. Bakwena has previously held a number of high ranking positions in the civil Service throughout her career which include but not limited to the following; Deputy Permanent Secretary (Office of the President and Ministry Of Education), Director of Public Service Management (DPSM) responsible for the Public Service, Permanent Secretary (Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology), Permanent Secretary (Ministry Of Education & Skills Development.
Owing to her hard-work, diligence, tenacity, selfless and excellence, Ms. Bakwena was accorded with a Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2009.
On her appointment, the new Ombudsman says she was humbled by the appointment as it demonstrated an immense trust by the leadership of the country, especially the president.
