The Teacher

Sandy Grant | Wednesday March 16, 2016 15:13

 

It may be said that this was hardly surprising because teaching was the only occupation, farming apart, in which so many people were employed – only a small number of women were employed as nurses and it was to take a lot longer before they began to organise themselves as a profession. 

The BTU, originally the Teacher’s Association, was started by AM  Tsoebebe in the later 1930s and its history from then on was wonderfully captured for us by Temba Vanqa in his 1998 book, ‘The Development of Education in Botswana sub titled, ‘The Role of Teachers’ Organisations’. Unsurprisingly, the BTU began to make its mark only in the immediate aftermath of Independence when it was forcibly led by Philip Matoane who, in 1970, after 11 years in this country, was deported back to South Africa.  It was probably Matoane who should be given the credit for the publication of the BTU’s first ever magazine, The Teacher which was, presumably the first professional magazine to be produced in this country. As might be expected, its first issue of 1969 was distinctly modest. Type set and stapled, this 22 page publication included a foreword by an untitled Jack Smith who, though, must have been then the Director of Education. An explanation by the lovely Dotty Ewan, then of Moeding and later of Swaneng, regarding her design for the cover, an Editorial, a Presidential Message, an article by MLA Kgasa, comprehensive comments by a TT Kenedy submitted by JB Gabaake, a review of ‘Junior Certificate History’ by myself - probably the country’s first ever book review! – and adverts by the President Hotel, the Gaberones Pharmacy and the Botswana Book Centre.

It was a brave beginning. I still possess copies of the very impressive issues of 1971 and 1972 but am unsure about 1970.

Is my copy still hidden away somewhere, was it lost or perhaps was this a year when there was no publication? But recalling Minister Tshekedi’s recent comment about the need to remember those who made significant contributions to the country in the past ’s past years, I want to stay with the 1969 issue because this listed those who then held BTU office.

Thus: President, PM Matoane (Seepapitso), Vice President, GM Kgomanyane (Moeng), Gen. Sec., K.G. Kgoroba (Moeding).  Ass. Gen. Sec. M. Hanson (Moeding). Treasurer, GN Kgotlana (Kgari Sechele), Chair, Music, PM Qobo (TTC Serowe). Chair, Ed. Committee, J. Moilwa (Molefi). Editor, JR Swartland (Moeding). Chaplain, Nemaorani (Tonota). Organisers – South JB Gabaake (Lesedi) . North – RN Mpabanga (Nyangabwe).  Sadly, many of these trail blazers are no longer with us. But it was they who got the profession on the move and it is they who are owed a considerable debt by those who now lead.