New look BFTU team gets the thumbs-up

LEKOPANYE MOOOKETSI
Correspondent | Thursday March 29, 2007 00:00

 

Previously all organisations representing permanent and pensionable civil servants were regarded as workers' organisations until government allowed them to unionise towards the end of last year.  BFTU's new president Japhta Radibe is a teacher so is his deputy, Eric Ditau.

Yesterday, Radibe told Mmegi that they are going to retain their positions in their Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) because it is allowed under the BFTU constitution. Botswana Manual Workers Union (BMWU)chairman Othusitse Tsalaile views the new committee as a welcome development. He said it is a positive development to have civil servants in the unions because their presence would strengthen their voices.

There has been a feeling in trade union circles that  the new BFTU might be biased towards the teaching profession or that the federation would be prone to manipulation by teachers. However, Tsalaile disagrees and said the new leaders  would be looking at all workers' interests. He says they will be guided by the BFTU constitution and other members' aspirations.  He added that when out of order, members would have the liberty to correct them.

Tsalaile sees nothing wrong with a committee dominated by people from the same sector.  He said the only thing is whether they are recognised by their employers as unionists. The chairman of the Botswana Mine Workers Union, Chimidzani Chimidza, who contested for the BFTU executive committee elections,  also reaffirmed his support for the new leadership. Chimidza said he is not concerned that he lost the elections. He pointed out that what was important was getting a committee to run BFTU.  He is confident that the new team would deliver. 'We can't all do the same job.  We were all after the same jobs,' said Chimidza, adding that when Radibe and his colleagues were campaigning, it was well known that they were teachers. 

'So why should we complain after they have  won?' He said he is going to back the new committee and urged others to rally behind the Radibe think-tank.

'We look forward to a great time as they lead the organisation,' said Chimidza. Botswana Confederation of Non-Governmental Organisations (BONCONGO) Executive Secretary Baboloki Tlale, an ex-teacher, said he should not be seen to be speaking in favour of his old colleagues but Radibe and Ditau will not be alone since there are other members of the executive committee. 

He said the executive committee would be conscious that they address all the sectors.  He echoed Tsalaile's sentiments that they would also be guided by the constitution. Tlale, who used to be a leader of a teacher's organisation, described both Radibe and Ditau as capable leaders. He said Radibe has been exposed to trade union activities at a higher level both locally and internationally. 'I think they will do a marvelous job,' he said, adding that the two unionists would not be pursuing their personal agendas.