Lately we have witnessed a resurgence of civil society movements making their views known to the public. Trade Unions such as Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU), Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) and Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and National Amalgamated, Central, Local Government and Parastatals Workers Union – (Manual Workers union), Botswana Secondary Teachers Union (BOSETU), Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and others are standing up to be counted, taking a lead in stating their positions on issues of national interest. They do so by buying newspaper space and going on radio to air their views while others host talk shows or call press conferences to speak out. This is commendable.
Ditshwanelo has also come on board, and making its position known on main issues that concern us. Botswana Network of Ethics and Law (BONELA), although in some instances it seems bent on imposing western practices and cultures on Batswana, should also be commended for fully participating in our democracy.
