HRDC BIDS FAREWELL TO THE OUTGOING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DR RAPHAEL DINGALO

On the 31st May 2021, Dr Raphael Dingalo’s five-year contract as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) came to an end. ‘Dr D’ as he was fondly called by many colleagues, joined HRDC on the 1st of June 2016. "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way" John Maxwell.

Dr Dingalo joined HRDC from the erstwhile Ministry of Education andSkills Development (MoESD). Dr Dingalo has a track record of strong leadership

having worked in different educational establishments holding various positions including; Deputy Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of Education and Skills Development responsible for Tertiary Education and Technical and Vocational Education. This combined with his deep industry knowledge and institutional tenure made Dr Dingalo uniquely qualified to lead HRDC.

Some of the notable projects that constituted Dr Dingalo achievements at HRDC include but are not limited to the following;

1. Development and Implementation of the Five (5) Year Strategy

As part of his role of giving strategic direction to HRDC, Dr Dingalo oversaw the development and implementation of the organisations first Strategic Plan

2016-2021 whose vision sought to make Botswana’s human resource globally competitive by 2026.

2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Projects

During his tenure, Dr Dingalo continued to subscribe to the ethos of corporate citizenry and encouraged staff to inculcate the spirit of giving that is

reaching out to the less fortunate or under privileged. Dr D, encouraged staff to give as individuals and also as an organisation, knowing that the ultimate

purpose of CSR is to maximise shared value among organisations, employees, customers and the community members. While the precise value looks

different for each of these stakeholders, the mutually beneficial nature of CSR initiatives can still be sustained.

Hence  the organisation embarked on the following;

  1. Adopt-a-School - Malatswae Primary School

The newly established Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee recommended the adoption of Malatswae Primary School as part of the Adopt-a-School initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the school in November 2017 for a period of three (3) years. This agreement saw HRDC pledging to support the school with their stationery– related needs. With HRDC’s support the school’s performance in the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) improved significantly.

II) Construction of a House for a needy family in Mmankgodi

In October 2018, HRDC rallied support from both private and public entities to purchase tickets for a fundraising dinner geared towards raising funds for construction of a house for a needy family. HRDC entered into an agreement with the Mogoditshane-Thamaga Sub- District Council with an aim to identify and project- manage the construction of a house for the family in need. The two-bedroomed house was officially handed over to the Setsiba Family on the 21st February 2020 where Village Leadership, Local Government officials, HRDC Board members, Staff and Media were in attendance.

3. Stakeholder Engagement activities

  1. TVET Pitso

In collaboration with the Ministry of Employment, Labour, Productivity and Skills Development (MELSD) and the Ministry of Tertiary Education (MoTE), HRDC organised the first Technical Vocational and Education and Training (TVET) Pitso on the 20th – 21st February 2019. This collaborative effort identified the need to have a platform that brings together all key players at a national coordination level to come up with interventions that will transform the quality of TVET and make it one of the key drivers of the national economy.

The main objective of the TVET Pitso was to promote participation of the industry in TVET reforms, promote the recognition and uptake of TVET by prospective learners and most importantly advocate for quality and relevant TVET to enhance graduates’ employability. Discussions from this forum should result in solutions which will bring change in alleviating current challenges facing graduates and youth employability.

II) HRDC Open Days and Business Breakfast Seminars

Under the leadership of Dr Dingalo, HRDC as a service – oriented organisation embarked on various stakeholder engagement activities as part of the Government's initiative of ‘Taking services to the people.’ HRDC conducted Open Day and Business Breakfast Seminars in Palapye, Lobatse, Letlhakane, Maun, Ghanzi and Francistown. The Business Breakfast Seminars targeted various stakeholders, customers and clients such as Heads of Education and Training Providers (ETPs), levy payers, (business community), parents, learners, media as well as workplaces where HRDC made presentations from different Departments and Units focusing on key functions of HRDC followed by discussions. HRDC Open Days were also held and targeted the general public including Out-of-School and prospective learners where career guidance information was also shared.

III)National Human Resource Development (NHRD) Conference

The second National Human Resource Development (NHRD) Conference was held in May 2019 under the theme, ‘Competitive Human Resource, A

Leading driver for the Economy in the 21st Century’. The Conference brought together international partners such as HRDC of

South Africa, national and international Experts, senior administrators, public and private education and training providers, decision makers, research luminaries, civil society and nongovernmental organisations. We wish Dr Dingalo a fruitful professional journey. You made every day in this place so much bright as such we cherish the time we worked together in serving our Country. Le kamoso!

 

News Date: 
Tuesday, June 1, 2021