In honour of a legend of Botswana labour - Cde Klaas Motshidisi
Friday, March 06, 2015
The late Motshidisi
Rre Klaas was the founder and leader of Botswana Trade Union Congress (BTUC), which was a rival to the Botswana Federation of Labour (BFL), led by Gabriel Mmusi. BTUC was aligned to the then radical Botswana People’s Party led by Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete, the composer of our national anthem, ‘Fatshe Leno La Rona’. BFL was aligned to the BDP, led by Bangwato chief Seretse Kgama.
With Government support for a joint education programme under the Botswana Trade Union Education Centre, BTUC and BFL merged to form the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) in April 1977, led by Frank Mzizi from the Railway Union.
It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...