The Sunday News
GOVERNMENT efforts of attaining Vision 2030 through a series of national strategies are not only moving the agenda forward but are inspiring countless people to buy into the vision. One such initiative is the recently introduced Performance Contracts.
The contracts aim to foster a high-performance culture among office bearers to enhance accountability and good governance. This development follows government’s commitment to making public results of the performance of Government officials as a way of ensuring transparency.
President Mnangagwa officially launched performance contracts for permanent secretaries for the fiscal year 2021 as part of a system that has been introduced by Government to create robust public sector institutions and leadership.
One year later, four Permanent Secretaries are being honoured for rising above the challenge and exceeding their set goals.
Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Prof Fanuel Tagwira has been recognised as the Best Performing Permanent Secretary. Professor Tagwira believes the contracts will help achieve a smooth and efficient flow of business which will benefit both the organizations and the public.
“It is an effective way of improving performance of Ministries, Departments and Agencies. This ensures the public service is efficiently and effectively managed to meet the expectations of government and the needs of the population. The performance contract sets out what needs to be achieved, expected level of achievement, timelines and reporting modalities,” he said in an interview.
The implementation of the Performance Contracts has brought a fresh vigour to the ministries and a drive to achieve the set targets.
“Performance contracts have energized the performance of Permanent secretaries and increased productivity of ministries.
As Permanent Secretary, you know that at the end of a contract period you will be asked to account for the achievements you have made based on the agreed targets that had been set at the beginning of the year.
Because of that you remain focused and keep your eye on the ball to deliver the expected results,” he said.
The professor added that there was a system in place, which ensures that everyone is aware of the headway thus far, saying, “Through the quarterly monitoring and evaluation system you are able to know if you are making good progress to achieve the targets or not.
Performance contracts improve productivity and help organisation identify under performers and also recognise good performers.”
He says his achievement is not a personal one but one that comes from the effort of all team members throughout the ministry and the sector.
“Team work throughout the Ministry, universities and our entities is a major contributing factor. Very clear vision from His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, and clear policy direction and guidance from the Honorable Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Innovation Science and Technology Development, Prof Dr Amon Murwira.
“This recognition is a Ministry achievement and not a one-man achievement. What we celebrate today would never have been possible without the leadership of our honourable Minister, the effort and dedication of our ministry chief directors, directors and other staff, the dedication, hard work and teamwork of our Vice chancellors, CEOs and their staff.
We worked together as a united family. As you know, a place of unity is a place of power. Someone said “Leaders do not succeed alone. What makes the difference is the leader’s ability to build good teams.”
Buoyed by the accolade, he says his ministry is geared to excel even more.
“As a ministry we are very grateful for the recognition, of being the best permanent secretary, given to us by government. The whole ministry is very excited and energised to work even harder.
“Our entities were excited to know that they contributed to this great success and recognition accorded to the Permanent Secretary and the Ministry. We look forward to doing even better in 2022 and play our part in making this the year of growth as enunciated by the President. I have no doubt our best days lie ahead of us.
“What the ministry is already doing will improve our education system. We have transformed our education from Education 3.0 to Education 5.0 which is producing the desired skilled graduates. It is also an education that is supporting industrialisation and Modernisation of the country,” said Prof Tagwira.
The first place slot does not come by working alone but through coordinated efforts with a team which shares the same vision and desire to reach the goals.
Mother Teresa said “You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.” Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it to sprout and grow.”-Harare Bureau
