Motshegwa warns divided opposition
Bonte Seepi | Tuesday August 29, 2017 17:21
Motshegwa said this when delivering a solidarity message at the Botswana Sector of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) congress themed, ‘Championing Educators’ rights in the midst’s of collective bargaining challenges’. The congress was held at the Majestic Five Hotel over the weekend.
Of recent there have been reports of unrest and infighting within the country’s opposition parties who have formed a coalition party.
“Opposition parties must introspect, do things properly and bring their house in order. They should not expect workers’ votes if they go to the 2019 elections in a divided manner. We want a united opposition.
“If you cannot manage smaller problems, how will you solve bigger problems associated with governance once voted into power?” he wondered.
BOFEPUSU backed the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), an opposition coalition at the 2014 general elections.
The UDC nearly caused an upset against the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). BOFEPUSU has also supported other opposition activities in recent years.
The union firebrand urged local trade unions to recruit the youth and women into key positions within their structures.
He said it has become a norm that men are dominant figures within the unions.
He noted that recruiting more women and the youth into influential positions will ensure better representation. “Recruiting more women and the youth into influential positions is something we usually fail to do as trade unions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Botswana National Front spokesperson, Justin Hunyepa assured the congress that the infighting between the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) members will be resolved amicably.
He dismissed rumours that there is a new party in the offing.
Of all the four opposition parties that have formed the coalition, the BMD appears to be the one that has been hard hit by infighting. Two factions within the party are claiming ownership of the BMD. There is a strong believe that the infighting at the BMD has brought instability within the UDC.