Butale dumps BFTU

• Resign SG position, linked to an ILO executive post
• General Council co-opts Mbereki to replace Butale

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

In a move that shocked many, Thusang Butale -the Secretary General (SG) of the oldest labour federation in the country, Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) resigned his position abruptly this week, The Patriot on Sunday haslearnt.

On Thursday, Butale briefly told tis publication that he is completely out of the picture at BFTU and could not be drawn to discuss his next move but cited career advancement as reason for resigning. However, sources within BFTU intimate that he could be heading to the International Labour Organization (ILO) to occupy an executive position under the Decent Work Programme Technical Team (DWT) Pretoria Country Office that services Botswana together with Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini.

In his resignation letter datedNovember 14, 2023, Butale said: “As of today, 13th November 2023, I have officially stepped down from the position of Secretary General of the BFTU having served in the BFTU secretariat as Deputy SG (2014 -2018) and SG (2018 to date) for almost a decade, it has been a privilege and an honor to represent and serve the Botswana labour movementin these roles.”

He added: “I thank all the organisations, partners, comrades and constituents for the support and collaboration over the years in advocating for rights and wellbeing of workers in Botswana and beyond.”

In addition, Butale said his departure is not a matter internal discord within the BFTU but for career advancement and further express his deepest gratitude to the BFTU Executive Board, its affiliates, Veterans, Youth and various structures for their unwavering support during his tenure as BFTU SG.

“In light of my departure, the General Council at its meeting held on the 11thNovember 2023 co-opted Comrade Tshepiso Mbereki, who has been serving as the Deputy Secretary General, to the role of Secretary General with immediate effect,” saying his resignation letter seen by this publication.

Furthermore, Butale has said Mbereki’s experience and commitment to the BFTU’s mission makes him well-suited to continue the federation’s advocacy for workers’ rights, adding that Mpho Keatshabe, who has been the BFTU Gender Secretary, will now assume the position of the Deputy Secretary General.

During his tenure at BFTU, Butale played a leading role when BFTU decided to report the government of Botswana to ILO for breaching labour laws, accusing government also for violating tripartite structures.

BFTU together with its counterpart, Botswana Federation of Public Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) have been at war with government for amongst other disregarding the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) and not ratifying conventions viewed to be progressive for workers.