Rari is aligned to a lobby group led by the union president, Winston Radikolo, who is seeking a third successive term, having first ascended to the position at the 2017 elective congress. Radikolo’s camp is made up of trade union stalwarts such as former publicity secretary, Mogomotsi Motshegwa, who will also be seeking a third consecutive term as vice president.
Most of the people in Radikolo’s camp enjoy incumbency. Maitshoko is in Justice Bailelwang’s lobby group. Bailelwang wants to unseat Radikolo from his presidential role. His team is also made-up of familiar faces in trade unionism such as Charles Tsiane, who is contesting for the position of vice president and Oreeditse Nyatso, who is the incumbent publicity secretary. Bailelwang and his team have promised that if voted into power, they will ensure that there is a proper succession plan and young leaders will be trained as well as capacitated to run the different structures of the union. There have been concerns that some executive members have overstayed in their positions because there is no solid succession plan. Bailelwang’s lobby group has also pledged to make key decisions collaboratively with the general membership. The contest for the position of SG will be of great interest at the elective congress. This is because the SG is considered the heartbeat and chief administrator of the union. Maitshoko faces an uphill battle in his quest to unseat Rari, who is seeking a historic fifth term. Rari has been the heartbeat and face of the BOSETU for over 10 years.
