Don't plant seeds of discord, urges Maphorisa

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Tuesday December 7, 2010 00:00

Speaking at a Botswana Secondary Teachers Union (BOSETU) cultural night, Ruth Maphorisa, said it must be recognised that individuals (and organisations) are not judged by what they have achieved personally or even by what their teams accomplished during their tenure.

'We will be judged by how well our people and organisations do after we are gone. 

As individuals through our actions we are planting a seed and it is up to us to - if we want to - plant seeds of discord within our society.  What legacy are we leaving behind?' she said.

Maphorisa, who was until a few months ago a PS at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, further emphasised her strong belief in strong relationships between teachers and various stakeholders. 

She explained that in partnerships solutions have to be found together without jeopardising the interests of any of the partners. 

She said good partnerships have to avoid a situation whereby one of the partners remain focused on its interests and privileges at the expense of development and improvement process. 

BOSETU sports and culture desk was established after the 2008 congress as an acknowledgement that education needs to be viewed as a total ongoing process to draw out the best in every individual at every stage of their lives.

According to Maphorisa, such activities provide rare opportunities for the nation to learn about common elements that bind them together.

'Cultural events are an ideal vehicle for promoting positive values for a new and better society,' she said.

The night, which had started with performances by BOSETU traditional dance troupe, ended up with Ndingo Johwa and Maxy of Digauta fame belting out their songs.