BOFEPUSU leadership mum on political support
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday September 26, 2023 06:00
Following their recent elective congress, the federation’s new leadership said it would “not unilaterally pronounce our stance on politics, but rather, we will be guided by the collective voice of the workers we represent”.
The congress elicited interest from political parties as the federation is 'reportedly used and targeted as a vehicle for political advancement by various political organisations' due to its huge membership of over 100,000.
With the country going to the polls next year, it is expected that BOFEPUSU would choose the political party to back; however, the federation’s leadership says it would only be guided by the masses.
During former president Ian Khama’s administration, the federation had adopted a collective stance to support a united opposition as a way to punish government following the 2011 strike. But the allegiance somehow shifted in the previous general election as it adopted a neutral stance after it emerged that there were divisions within the BOFEPUSU leadership as others wanted to align with the ruling party.
“Our commitment is to ensure that the opinions and aspirations of the labour force across Botswana are at the forefront of any political viewpoint. To achieve this, we recognise the imperative need to build effective and inclusive structures throughout the nation,” said the federation’s publicity secretary Oreeditse Nyatso.
“These structures will serve as the foundation for meaningful engagement, allowing us to comprehensively understand the diverse needs and concerns of our workers.” Nyatso added by fostering a bottom-up approach, they aim to formulate a political stance that genuinely represents the interests of workers from all walks of life.
“For the first 100 days of our tenure, our primary focus will be on building these structures and pushing forward the workers' agenda. We will actively listen, consult, and engage with workers to ensure that your voices are heard and your issues addressed.
Together, we will work tirelessly to create a united front, advocate for your rights, and lay the groundwork for a brighter future for the workers of Botswana,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nyatso rallied the BOFEPUSU leadership to unite and adhere to the principle of solidarity as they embark on a new journey. He said a united workforce is an unstoppable force and as such, workers' victory is not a distant dream but a shared destiny.
“As we embark on this journey, let our unity be our strength, our unwavering trust in each other be our shield, and our commitment to workers' rights and agenda be our guiding star.
We are bound by a common purpose, and in that unity, we shall find the power to triumph over adversity. Our victory is not a matter of if, but when, and together, we will script a brighter future for all workers,” he said.