Comrades:
When Cde. Nelson Holihlahla Mandela first addressed a wildly excited crowd as he walked out of Victor Vorster prison; Paal, holding the hand of his then wife Winnie on the 11 February 1990, he said “I great you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all.” He was later on asked to describe how he felt and he said “I would be merely rationalizing if I told you that I am able to describe my feelings. It was breath taking, that is all I can say”.
Comrades, Mandela’s then feelings are at this time part of my inner world. I would like to thank you for this invitation. It is not a sole honour for me, but rather to the entire labour movement in Botswana. You have made history today by recognizing our role and importance in democracy, development and all ingredients of social justice and social democracy. Please receive fraternal greetings from the Botswana Teachers’ Union (BTU), Botswana Secondary School Teachers’ Union (BOSETU), Botswana Public Employees’ Union (BOPEU), National Amalgamated Local and Central Government, Parastatal Workers’ Union and all branches of BLLAWU.
Comrades;
Let me first and foremost respond to the agitations and panic in the Government enclave, about my address to this Congress. It should be clear to those shivering that I stand here today not as a member of the BDP, BCP or BNF or any other political party nor as an employee under General Orders but as the President of BLLAWU and on behalf of Labour movement in Botswana. In that capacity I am recognized by the Constitution of the union registered with Registrar of societies, Trade Unions and Employers Act, and International Labour Organizations stipulations which Botswana ratified. We have always invited political parties to our annual conferences and likewise they have always invited us to their forums. My acceptance of your invitation as much was that of King Kgafela II does not in any way suggest that I am either a BCP sympathizer or its well wisher, I am here today only as a Guest speaker. I hope this will lay rest to the interpretation that I am acting outside my boundaries as a public officer.
It ought to be known that I am prepared for anything and everything, because as Frank Leahy (1908-1973) said “when the going gets tough, let the tough get going”. I have come to realize that because of my union activities, I am sometimes a victim of circumstances. I am pleased and humbled though because faith frequently whispers to me that as labour movement beyond the wall we are facing there is hope, because success is coming on our way. Then again we cannot be silenced, because life is all about expression, you only live once, you are not coming back, so better express yourself. I am dedicated because I have found my identity, and it is that I am a trade unionist and I am a citizen of Botswana. I have a role to play to gratify the above identities.
Comrades!
The year 2010 is a defining moment for Botswana’s social, political and economic landscape. One philosopher by the name of Kevin Cosner once said that when the defining moment comes, if you don’t define it, it will define you. Therefore it’s upon each one of us in any sphere of Botswana society to define the moment.
For Botswana, it is the time when our efforts to diversify from the diamond driven economy will be won or lost, it is a year of defining the character of our democracy and social values. We are compelled, as a nation, to choose between participatory democracy or passive democracy which can also be labeled autocracy. A year when our stand on human and civil rights will be defined. The role of security organs and other law enforcement agencies will circumstantially be defined or remain blurred and opaque. A year of consolidation of opposition parties or their further disintegration. The nation is awaiting with abated breath! The ancestors of this republic are in surveillance of the situation!!!!!
For you in the BCP, I know it is a year of leadership transition since you will be holding your Party leadership election in July. For the BDP, I am informed it is the year of either consolidating unity or breaking up. For the BPP and MELS, I am reminded that it is the year of reckoning. In all happenings we wish for outcomes that shall benefit the people of this Country.
For the labour movement there is no option, it is the year of consolidating unity, and we are determined to achieve unity of the working class in order to assert our power and role in Botswana‘s socio-economic and political spectrum.
For the youth, it is the year of asserting your authority and influence in all spheres of the society. No other moment will avail itself to you. Now is the time, its now or never. Therefore BCP Youth League has begun great steps of the journey as the conscience of the party. The theme of your congress is “Youth voice, A PILLAR TO DEMOCRATIC ORDER AND ECONOMC LIBERATION”. The theme is relevant to drive you into being participants, not observers in determining the future of your party and our motherland, Botswana. You have no time to wait to be the future leaders but to actively participate in the making of history because the future belongs to you!!!
Since I come from the labour movement, allow me, comrade President, to deal with the challenges of labour movement in Botswana first, then I will discuss the theme of this congress and the challenges it bestows upon not only the BCP youth league, but BDP Youth league, BNF youth, BPP youth league, youth organizations in the civil society and other spheres of the Botswana society. I will also deal with major challenges of Batswana as a nation in order to remain the benchmark for upholding Democracy, human and civil rights, dignity, an abundant voluntary sense of patriotism and prosperity for all which according to this theme is economic liberation. I will conclude by arguing that it is possible to create a better Botswana.
Comrades
We in the Labour movement watched with disillusionment, the Minister of Finance delivering a no salary increase budget for public officers in parliament without prior engagement with recognized trade unions. To him we say “nothing about us without us”, and he should come to the negotiation table now, not next year. On another note, we are vigilant in ensuring that the new Public Service Act be implemented on the 1st May 2010, and no more postponement will be tolerated.
Now back to youth leagues, within the context of the theme of this congress, may we recall that historically youth leagues have been proponents of radical approach to the achievement of the National Democratic agenda and social justice. They have brought catalystic progression in winning the struggles of their societies. This assertion can be exemplified by ANC Youth League of the times of Walter Sesulu, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo which set a machinery that transformed the then ANC around the 1950s to a more progressive movement that campaigned for black liberation and democratic South Africa.
There are challenges facing youth such as unemployment, issues of alcohol and drug abuse, violence against women and children, shrinking political and economic human rights. It is the role of Youth Leagues across all political divide and those in civil society to loudly call for introduction of tough legislation to protect the Girl Child from teenage pregnancy perpetrated by irresponsible men. There is also need for youth access to land and other factors of economic production, market oriented, quality and compulsory education.
OTHER GENERAL ISSUES WE FACE AS A SOCIETY
?Transformation of the budget system to be participatory.
?Empowerment of parliament to be more independent, effective and more resourced in order to represent the interest of Batswana and craft a great destiny for this Republic.
?Clear separation of powers between the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature to deter a situation whereby the Executive usurp powers vested in other organs. This ought to be emphasized because as French Philosopher Montesquieu once denoted “ power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
?A government that is responsive, accountable and owes its fidelity to the citizenry or the masses.
?Strengthening of oversight institutions such as Ombudsman, Independent Electoral Commission (I.E.C), Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (D.C.E.C), and an introduction of a Constitutional Court.
?The Mass Media and Communications Bill must be abolished, because draconian intents.
We should strive for accomplishment of good rate of economic growth with spill over effects and thus benefiting Batswana to desist from a situation whereby the Government becomes rich at the expense of the citizens. Further there is need to reduce poverty by creating jobs in urban areas and developing agriculture in the rural areas, raise the general standard of living.
