The place of teacher trade unions

The truth of the matter is that the system of education had coexisted peacefully with the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), the oldest among the existing crop of teacher trade union movements. This is not to suggest that it was a problem free relationship made in heaven. History has recorded that it was a healthy affair anchored on mutual respect but as the nature and purpose of trade unionism dictate, it was a relationship characterised by periodic skirmishes and exchange of fire.

However, it was the grand entrance into the education system of the more radical Botswana Federation of Secondary School Teachers (BOFESETE) which somewhat ruffled feathers, creating anxiety, panic and fear in the process. The new kid on the block thrived amidst adversity and a host of other challenges. It depended in the main on the leadership of relatively young and gifted leaders of the likes of the late Serake Mfolwe, Odirile Gabasiane and Baboloki Tlale. These were arguably the most refined leaders the education system has ever produced.