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 "We would no longer have to rubber stamp the decisions of the employer," he said. He said that the teachers will no longer be victimised in negotiations with the employer. Despite his excitement, Ditau is aware of the challenges that lay ahead. He said that they do not know if the employer would recognise BOSETU because it must have one third of employees in the sector to gain recognition. "We are not sure how the employer would define the industry especially that our members are secondary school teachers only," he said. He revealed that BOSETU has to sell a new corporate image and recruit more members to the organisation. Of the differences that often bring division, Ditau said they would do all they could to avoid infiltration. "I'm not saying that we shall be immune to this but we shall handle the issue well should we face it." He said they still have to apply to Botswana Federation of Trade Unions for affiliation. BOSETU's origins has its roots in 1986 when concerned teachers who felt that Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) was not doing enough to articulate the concerns of secondary school teachers formed BOFESETE. The organisation was meant to improve the working conditions of teachers and the education system in Botswana. Some of the early national executive members include Titus Mbuya, Sechele Sechele, Baboloki Tlale, Odirile Gabasiane, Serake Mfolwe and Gaogakwe Phorano. During the early period, BOFESETE was very vocal in articulating teachers concerns. The authorities saw the articulation as militancy and radicalism. Some government officials were not comfortable with the organisation and they started to frustrate it. This was thwarted by the support of teachers who rallied behind the organisation. At that time, the refusal by government to officially recognise BOFESETE frustrated the organisation and weakened its financial base. Since its inception, BOFESETE has fought various wars on behalf of teachers. Some of the most hard fought battles have been over the scarce skills policy and parallel progression.
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