The Botswana Federation of Public, Parastatal and Private Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) stands in solidarity with workers at the University of Botswana in their protest over serious issues of staff welfare and conditions of service.
Furthermore, BOFEPUSU supports workers’ demand for dismissal of the Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris.
The Federation notes that under the leadership of Professor David Norris, workers are subjected to poor conditions of service as their welfare is not part of his management strategy. With regard to infrastructure and resources, there is acute shortage of essential equipment, the classroom environment is far below par, the standard and status of the University is deteriorating to embarassing levels. To say it is shameful is an understatement.
Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris comes across as a unilateralist dictator, a power monger who doesn’t value the role of trade unions and workers’ representatives, hence the toxic industrial relations at the highest institution of learning in the country, the University of Botswana.
Professor Norris’ leadership credentials are defective as he is failing to provide strategic leadership, direction and good governance to the institution.
The Federation is currently working on a progressive programme to help workers at the University of Botswana in the quest for democratisation of the workplace and change of leadership to uplift the standard of the institution.
We urge workers in other sectors to stand in solidarity with workers at the University of Botswana, for an injury to one is an injury to all.
Yours in workers victory
Ketlhalefile Motshegwa
For/Secretary General