BOFEPUSU, BFTU team up to influence 2019 Elections
News
Two main union federations the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and Botswana Federation of Public, Parastatal and Private Sectors Union (BOFEPUSU) have over the weekend separately resolved to sway the impending hotly contested 2019 General Elections in line with their demands.
BFTU made their Council resolutions at Mahalapye while BOFEPUSU were lodged at Palapye. The purpose of the BOFEPUSU gathering was to deliberate on topical issues affecting the workers while BFTU gathered to give a full account of the activities of the Board and Committees to the General Council.
In terms of the resolutions that were aimed at having an impact on the 2019 elections outcome, BFTU noted that in a functioning multi-party democracy, every general election presents an opportunity to all stakeholders to ask those seeking their votes to enter public office, what it is that they have for them. According to BFTU, the General Council of the Federation, on the 26th October 2018, passed a resolution “for the development of the workers manifesto that would be used to inform, guide and ideally influence political parties’ manifestos in the coming 2019 general elections.”
The federation through the Secretary General, Thusang Butale, stated that it must be remembered that public office holders, that is, Members of Parliament and Local Government authorities, are at the center of the process of national governance and distribution of national resources and it is therefore important that trade unions take a deliberate effort to ensure that the interests of workers will be addressed and are safeguarded by those who require their votes.
Although the Federation has no intention to take any political party side, as a stakeholder and a custodian of the interests of its constituents’, the Federation strongly believes that it has a duty to educate and inform its members about pertinent social and economic issues that affect them in order to enable them to ask those running for public office, pertinent questions about the welfare of the workers and as well as desirable solutions.
“To this end a working group/ reference committee was set up to work on the development of the manifesto with a consultant. The working group comprises of General Council members, relevant Civil Society Organisations and representative(s) from the Global Labour University alumni,” it states. BFTU further observed that they intend to lay a road map on how political and socio-economic issues that affect workers and their families should be addressed by those who seek public office.
“The Federation’s General Council has viewed it as of paramount importance that workers aspirations and expectations be placed before all those who need their votes in order to take up national office. In other words, our members votes are not for free and all those who seek public office should know and fully appreciate that,” the federation pointed out in its resolutions.
According to BFTU, the Manifesto will be officially launched on the 1st May 2019, Workers/Labour Day, in Francistown and across the country and to make this well understood and appreciated by those who need their members votes, the workers manifesto will guide workers as they go to the polls in 2019. The BFTU document of resolutions indicate that the approved theme for the day reflects on the demand for a better Botswana, a strong economy that serves the people and stronger Unions for democratic values and democracy.
The BFTU noted that Botswana’s economy has been doing relatively well since the time of independence and has even withstood and survived the 2008 economic shocks. Botswana, according to BFTU has received accolades from the international community and financial institutions for its multi-party system, functioning democracy, good governance and its relative economic prosperity.
However, the Federation observes with disappointment, that this much talked about economic success story has not translated into prosperity for all. They point out that according to the most recent formal sector employment survey report, monthly average earnings for citizens were P6, 038, whilst monthly average monthly earnings for non-citizens stood at P18, 265.
The Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey of 2015/16 revealed that Batswana continue to wallow in poverty, and social inequalities and unemployment, in spite of the country’s much talked about economic success story, they state. While at the time of independence Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world, BFTU contends that after 50 years of independence, Botswana is one of the ten (10) most unequal societies in the world.
“It is the view of the Federation that Botswana is a rich country of poor citizens. The Federation is therefore worried about this state of poverty in the midst of plenty that is found in Botswana today. As if this is not enough, the Federation has been deeply alarmed by reports of corruption and poor governance that seem to have engulfed the country. Needless to say it is corruption and poor governance that are at the center of Botswana current political crisis,” BFTU lashed out in their resolution paper.
Their counterparts, BOFEPUSU in their separate resolutions that were signed by its President Johannes Tshukudu and Secretary General Tobokani Rari also resolved that the Federation should develop a worker’s charter/manifesto as a blue print or guiding document on policy issues to influence 2019 elections. The workers manifesto, BOFEPUSU says will enable Federation structures, leaders to articulate Federation position on such issues and “further to lobby relevant local political organisations on workers agenda and national matters.”
The Governing Council also resolved that the Federation should institute coordinated campaigns against corruption and money laundering that have resulted in Botswana being grey – listed by multinational financial institutions. Further they resolved that there be institution of private prosecution on unprosecuted matters by Government agencies regarding looting of Public servants Pensions Funds and other corruption scandals on public resources.
The Governing Council resolved that the Federation should forge cooperation to initiative with BFTU in an endeavor to form a Confederation of the two Federations in the long run. In addition, in view of the slave wages that workers at the bottom of the pay structures in various industries in Botswana are subjected to, the Governing Council resolved that the Federation should carry out a research on Minimum Living Wage and stage a campaign to have such implemented.
Having also noted that public servants who were dismissed during the 2011 industrial action remain unemployed and are subjected to harsh life conditions, the Council resolved that pressure should be mounted on government to have such workers reinstated and compensated accordingly.In view of the flagrant acts of labour rights violations in the Private and Parastatal sectors, the Council mandated the Central Executive Committee to lobby members of parliament and all stakeholders to speak against labour rights violations within these sectors, and also lobby for the amendment of the labour laws to protect employees and Trade Unions within these sectors.
BOFEPUSU has also noted that the feud between former President, Lt Gen Ian Khama and the current President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, should be condemned by the federation and all progressive forces in the country with the strongest possible terms, as it compromises the sanctity of the Presidency of the Republic and has the potential to divide the country on regional and tribal lines as per the toxic exchanges between the two leaders.
News
Local tennis team upbeat ahead of Billie Jean King cup
With almost two weeks until the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup, which will be staged in Kenya from June 12-17, 2023, the Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) ladies’ team coach, Ernest Seleke, is optimistic about reaching greater heights.
Billie Jean King Cup, or the BJK Cup, is a premier international team competition in women’s tennis, launched as the Federation Cup to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The BJK Cup is the world’s largest annual women’s international team sports competition in terms of the number of nations that compete.
The finals will feature 12 teams (Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, Seychelles, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) competing in the four round-robin groups of three. The four group winners will qualify for the semifinals, and the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup will be crowned after the completion of the knockout phase.
Closer to home, the BW Tennis team is comprised of Thato Madikwe, Leungo Monnayoo, Chelsea Chakanyuka, and Kelebogile Monnayoo. However, according to Seleke, they have not assembled the team yet as some of the players are still engaged.
“At the moment, we are depending on the players and their respective coaches in terms of training. However, I will meet up with Botswana-based players in the coming week, while the United States of America (USA) based player Madikwe will probably meet us in Kenya. Furthermore, Ekua Youri and Naledi Raguin, who are based in Spain and France respectively, will not be joining us as they will be writing their examinations,” said Seleke.
Seleke further highlighted the significance of this competition and how competitive it is. “It is a massive platform for our players to showcase their talent in tennis, and it is very competitive as countries target to get promoted to the world categories where they get to face big nations such as Spain, France, USA, and Italy. Though we are going to this tournament as underdogs because it is our second time participating, I’m confident that the girls will put in a good showing and emerge with results despite the odds,” highlighted Seleke.
Quizzed about their debut performance at the BJK Cup, he said, “I think our performance was fair considering the fact that we were newbies. We came third in our group after losing to North Macedonia and South Africa. We went on to beat Uganda, then Kenya in the playoffs. Unfortunately, we couldn’t play Burundi due to heavy rainfall and settled for the position 9/10,” he said.
For her part, team representative Leungo Monnayoo said they are working hard as they aim to do well at the tourney. “The preparations for the tourney have long begun because we practice each and every day. We want to do well, hence we need to be motivated. Furthermore, I believe in my team as we have set ourselves a big target of coming home with the trophy,” she said.
News
Pep Stores donates sanitary towels to Popagano JSS
The Guidance and Counseling unit at Popagano Junior Secondary School received a donation of 790 sanitary towels from Pep stores on Thursday.
When presenting the donation, Mareledi Thebeng, the Dinokaneng Area Manager, highlighted their belief in giving back to the community, as their existence depends on the communities they serve. Thebeng pointed out that research indicates one in four girls miss school every day due to the lack of basic necessities like sanitary towels. Therefore, as a company, they strive to assist in alleviating this situation. She expressed hope that this donation would help ensure uninterrupted learning for girls.
Upon receiving the donation on behalf of the students, Charity Sambire, the President of the Student Representative Council, expressed her gratitude. Sambire specifically thanked Pep Store for their generous gift, speaking on behalf of the students, especially the girl child.
She conveyed their sincere appreciation for Pep Store’s compassion and quoted the adage, “Blessed is the hand that gives.” Sambire expressed the students’ hope for Pep Stores’ prosperity, enabling them to continue supporting the students. As a gesture of gratitude, the students pledged to excel academically.
During her speech, Motlalepula Madome, the Senior Teacher in Guidance and Counseling, highlighted that many students at the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds where parents struggle to provide basic necessities. Consequently, some students miss school when they experience menstruation due to this lack.
Madome emphasized the significance of the donation in preventing the girl child from missing lessons and its potential to improve the school’s overall results. She expressed the school’s gratitude and expressed a desire for continued support from Pep Stores.
Popagano Junior Secondary School, situated in the Okavango District, holds the second position academically in the North West region. Despite its location, the school has been dedicated to achieving excellence since 2017
News
Botswana misses out critical PAP committee meeting
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) committee on gender, family, youth and people with disability in its sitting considered, adopted and recommended to the plenary session the preliminary report on the framework for the model law on gender equality.
According to the last week’s media release from PAP which is sitting with its various committees until June 2nd, the committee is following up the PAP initiative to draw up a model law on gender equality to enable national governments to harmonize, modernize and standardize their legislations to address local needs is set to be discussed in Plenary.
However, what is concerning is the fact that Botswana which is a member state missed the deliberations. Kgosi Mosadi Seboko who sat in the committee representing Botswana has since been ejected by parliament and this is a huge blow for a nation that is still battling equity and gender balance.
“Although PAP has no legislative powers it makes model laws for member states to adopt. PAP also develops protocols to be ratified by countries. The input of countries at Committee state is extremely critical. It now means the voice of Botswana is missing the discussions leading up to development of protocols or model laws,” said one of Botswana’s representative at PAP Dr. Kesitegile Gobotswang who is attending the current session.
While Botswana is missing, the committee meeting took place on the sidelines of the Sixth PAP second ordinary Session being held under the African Union Theme of the Year for 2023, “The Year of AfCFTA: Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area” in Midrand, South Africa and will run up to 2 June 2023. Chairperson of the Committee, Hon Mariam Dao-Gabala expressed satisfaction with preliminary processes undertaken so far towards the formulation of the Model Law,” a release from the PAP website reads.
“The law should be suitable to all countries whatever the predominant culture or religion is. The aim is to give an opportunity to women to participate in the economic, political and social development of the continent. Women are not well positioned and face a lot of obstacles. We are introducing the idea of equity in the Law because we cannot talk about equality without equity,” said Hon Mariam Dao-Gabala in the press statement.
The release has stated that among issues to be covered by the Model Law is the migratory movements of women. The Committee proffered that this has to be addressed at the continental level to ensure that migrant women enjoy all their rights and live with dignity in their destination country. The members of the Gender Committee undertook consultations to consolidate the contributions of the various stakeholders that will be the logical framework format for the Model Law.