Baeng lands BLLAHWU plum job

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Tuesday November 23, 2010 00:00

 

The AGM held at the Big Five Lodge in Mogoditshane last Friday appointed Baeng to the plum job, with effect from January 1, 2011.

Against this backdrop Baeng, who is currently the BLLAHWU president, may not defend his position at the union conference and election on December 1-2 in Mochudi.

'The AGM of BLLAHWU group of companies has approved Baeng as its inaugural executive chairman whose area of responsibility will entail overseeing all the operations of the union's investment,' BLLAHWU secretary general Moshe Noga disclosed yesterday.

BLLAHWU group of companies' acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ewetse Bethia confirmed that the board had 'agreed to appoint the executive chairman to the top post.' He, however, indicated that he was rather constrained to say much as the officer was yet to receive his letter of appointment.

If Baeng takes up this job, he will be leading an organisation whose investment organs' value is estimated in the region of P40 million.

BLLAHWU started building its investment portfolio in 2008, a year after it was transformed from a mere association into a fully-fledged trade union following government's decision to allow public sector unions to unionise.

Amongst its investments today, BLLAHWU group of companies is engaged in the running of service stations, property development entities, commercial farms, and printing. It also has shares at UNIGEM (government employees car and property advanced scheme) and runs a micro lending business and a funeral scheme.

Through its investment organs, BLLAHWU group of companies is pursuing economic politics through which it wants to transfer the economy from foreign to local hands.

The union also has a dream of assisting in equitable distribution of wealth from few holders of economic power to the vast majority of Batswana.

In an endeavour to further empower its members, BLLAHWU plans to venture into agricultural business. The union has an ambition of buying bulls and heifers and selling them to willing members at affordable prices.

When quizzed about his appointment yesterday, Baeng said: 'Indeed, a decision was taken by the shareholders' forum regarding my appointment but I am yet to be furnished with a letter of appointment.' Baeng indicated that he would decide, 'whether I accept the appointment or not after looking at what is on offer'.

Meanwhile, Baeng has told Mmegi that BLLAHWU group of companies has created a bursary fund with an initial amount of P600, 000.

'This year, we are going to continue sponsoring some of our interested members to further their education.' He said as part of the union's corporate social responsibility, BLLAHWU group of companies will sponsor three students to further their education and they include a student from a destitute family, an orphaned child and a needy child. One is pursuing a Diploma in Human Resources Management, the other is pursuing a high National Diploma in Accountancy and the third is pursuing a Degree in Music.