Tshukudu warns warring politicians
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday September 26, 2017 18:00
In a speech that can be easily linked to the formation of a new party last week, Tshukudu warned politicians to be patient with each other or they should forget about getting votes from civil servants.
“When we differ we resolve our differences amicably without bloodshed or splitting. We know that we always have differing ideas on how to take certain things forward. We have tolerance. This is the current problem with our leaders, they lack of tolerance”.
Politicians should take seriously the plight of the public service workers and Batswana in general.
Tshukudu warned legislators against disregarding concerns of the workers, saying they risk being voted out at the 2019 general elections regardless of their political affiliation.
“Let me once again warn you (politicians) that you do not have any influence on your political future. The power lies with the electorates. If you do not listen to us when we advise you let us remind you that election-day will come and we will punish you severely,” bellowed Tshukudu in his address to Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) members over the weekend here.
BTU 80th anniversary celebrations were held in the city. Tshukudu, who is also the president of BTU, added that, “We have to continuously remind them that we have contributed significantly with reference to building this country, and we will do everything in our power to protect what we have built”.
“It is our responsibility as workers to make sure that politicians effectively serve the interests of the working class and we will make sure that politicians who do not toe the line will go,” Tshukudu said.
The opposition has of recent been characterised by infighting. The most notable fighting happened at the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), which led to the formation of a new party, Alliance for Progressives (AP) last week.
On the sidelines of the celebrations, Tshukudu told Mmegi that BTU’s labour college would possibly open its doors here later this year. The college was unveiled over the weekend.
It will operate at a building that used to be Planet Lodge. BTU owns the building but until recently it was leased to an individual who operated the lodge.
“We anticipate that the first enrolment at the college will be before the end of the year. If we fail to welcome the first batch of students this year we will definitely do so in January next year,” he said. He added that BTU is currently working on securing staff to serve at the college. The institution will operate as a commercial entity.
It will offer management and labour related courses to BTU members and non-members.Although he was not willing to divulge the exact amount of money spent on the institution he said that it will be run through dividends earned from micro-lending company of which BTU is a shareholder through its investment arm, More Power Investments.