Minister for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa who recently stepped down as BLLAHWU Secretary General says his appointment should come as a blessing for local trade unions. Speaking at the Botswana Land boards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU) 12th annual general meeting in Francistown, Motshegwa observed that for the many years he had been a trade union leader, no cabinet minister had sought to meet union leadership or attend their conferences. He however noted that things would be different with the new government; adding that within his first month in the ministerial office he had already made history by being the first minister to initiate and host a meet and greet with trade unions.
“Someone said to me that things are not going to be the same without you around, I responded, things are going to be much greater without me, because I wish BLLAHWU and other unions success in their work,” said Motshegwa.
Motshegwa assured BLLAHWU members of the ministry’s commitment to nurture harmonious industrial relations and democratize the workplace. He emphasized that the new government believes that the working conditions of employees should be improved, and their rights respected. He also noted that the employer cannot expect good results, hard work and determination from employees without first ensuring that the employee is satisfied. Motshegwa further highlighted that the new regime is crafting a new environment of good relations between the government and the employees and their unions, adding that there must be a judicial balance between certain components being the welfare of employees, the need for productivity and quality public service delivery that in turn fulfill the economic prosperity of the country.
“Working conditions should be respected alongside their rights and those of their unions. That is why we are committed to improving the conditions of service and welfare of workers and guarantee and grant trade unions their organizational rights. Once we have ensured that, we would have also ensured that the workers work hard to deliver impeccable services to Batswana which will in turn grow and improve the country as a whole,” he added.
In his farewell message to the union members, Motshegwa appreciated the BLLAHWU staff and affirmed that they were an asset in the administration that he led. He further applauded the union’s leadership saying they had been a valuable team to work with and that the union has been the guiding route to his educational journey of leadership which has afforded him life lessons that will forever remain edged in his heart.
“My leaving the union is a cruel reminder that every good thing comes to an end. You might not be my colleagues anymore, but you will always remain my good friends. In fighting for the worker, I fought so many battles, both within the union, with the employer as well as at the political front, therefore I bare scars and deep wounds of these battles, but I still rose. If it had not been for BLLAHWU and the challenges I faced at BLLAHWU, I wouldn’t be here today. As I bid farewell to you as my comrades, it is so painful, it is like bidding farewell to half of my soul,” he added.
Earlier in his address, BLLAHWU President Thatayaone Kesebonye applauded the union for its impressive growth as well as the peace and stability that reigns within the union. Kesebonye attributed the union’s growth to the statement that it is considered the most stable and peaceful union in the country, with all of its 34 branches performing impressively. He however noted that though the union is stable, the biggest challenge it is faced with currently is that members are not willingly joining the union’s legal cover, though many members face dismissals from work and require legal representation that is quiet costly.
Kesebonye also pleaded with the new government to look into and fix the public service that he believes needs change for improved service delivery to the people. “Mr. President, do not take too long to fix the public service. The public service is rotten beyond redemption. It needs an overhaul,” he concluded.