BMD courts civic society

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday May 7, 2010 00:00

 

It was no accident that the interim leadership of the newly formed BMD accepted an invitation to officiate at the Workers Day celebrations in different parts of the country on May 1, as public sector unions generally command a big following.

Founding members Gomolemo Motswaledi was invited to officiate in Selebi-Phikwe, Botsalo Ntuane in Good Hope, Sidney Pilane in Gaborone, Wynter Mmolotsi and Tshelang Masisi in Francistown and Kabo Morwaeng in Sojwe.

The messages from the BMD to the workers were simple; the need to change government to one that considers them as stakeholders and the need to restore democracy to Botswana.

'You can't amass wealth for the enjoyment of a few people whilst you watch without any hope of one day enjoying the sweat of your brow,' was Mmolotsi's message. His address was punctuated with, 'you should vote wisely next time around so that you will not regret your choice.'

Mmolotsi reminded the unions of the power they wield and said there was need for trade unionists to group themselves and identify a party they can partner with for the purposes of elections.

He cited the example of the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliance partner Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) as a living example of workers power influencing the choice of government.

In GoodHope Ntuane encouraged workers to use their numbers to bring change to Botswana. He said workers have the power to unseat abusive governments if they are united.

Motswaledi's message for Selebi-Phikwe was the restoration of democracy to Botswana by joining the new movement.

Chairman of the executive Ntuane said; 'We see trade unions as partners in the defence of our democracy and we think going forward we will outline possible areas of cooperation'.

'We intend to consolidate our partnership with the unions and other civic organisations, that are concerned as we are about the direction our country is taking,' explained Ntuane.

During the May Day commemorations, public sector unions that had grouped together included Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Botswana Secondary School Teachers Union (BOSETU), Botswana Land Boards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU), National Amalgamated, Local, Central Government and Parastatal Workers Union (NALCGPWU) and Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU).

BLLHWU secretary general, Moshe Noga said in an interview, 'we have since realised there is no way trade unions can remain neutral and distance themselves from politics, for we know that politics can determine our destination in so far as the welfare of the workers is concerned.'

He however, would not align the unions to any particular party; 'however, we shall be amenable to any political party which in our view has the workers agenda at heart.'

Noga explained that the trade union, does not exist to be an agent of the employer. 'The unions exist primarily to protect, educate and preserve the workers' rights.' He stressed that BLLAHWU does not have any relationship with the BMD, as no resolution has yet been set about aligning with them.

BOSETU executive secretary, Justin Hunyepa said that the union is not yet affiliated to any political party. 'But, it doesn't mean that we cannot talk on issues that are political. For instance, you might have realised recently that the issue of double shift which we rejected was taken to freedom squares and parliament.'

As a trade union, Hunyepa said, they use any platform to convey their troubles to the politicians so that they can understand their issues.'We only partake in political issues mainly to sell our issues to them. We have to lobby politicians so that they can discuss in parliament from an informed point of view.'

Deputy general secretary of BOPEU, McDonald Malgas echoed sentiments raised by his counterparts. 'We invited BMD politicians as individuals and not as a party. We also wished to invite senior government officials and or cabinet ministers but they were not available,' said Malgas.

He stressed, 'we are public servants and we don't have to show which party we support. We don't have any plans to declare which party we support.'

Johnson Motshwarakgole of NALCGPWA or Manual Workers explained: ' I take it that we invited them (BMD) like other Batswana. We often invite ministers and other political parties. This time around the majority of ministers were attending President Ian Khama's rally in Francistown on May Day.'

He said the trade union is not yet ready to align with any political party and would not do that. 'What we can do is target individual MPs and deal with them as we have such a resolution. The danger of aligning to political parties is that it could split our union and the labour movement in the country.'

Keorapetse Kgasa of the BTU said they did not target BMD for any particular reason.

'But, we consider BMD as a social partner in the development of the country. We are prepared to work with anyone if we feel you are a partner to take us somewhere,' he said.

Kgasa indicated that lately the voice of the BMD has been heard louder and clearer on national issues and that could be the reason, which influenced them to target them.

BTU also said they are yet to pass a resolution to work closely with BMD. 'But if they continue speaking the language that we understand, we have to keep them closer to us so that we can reap something from them.'