Barely three weeks ago, the Minister of Sports Jacob Kelebeng optimistically declared he expects school sports to be back by April 2025, which is this coming month.
Perhaps buoyed by negotiations with teachers’ unions, the Minister shared that the government had set a target to conclude the negotiations. “We have set ourselves a target for the conclusion of the negotiations. The talks are taking some time because they involve many stakeholders, and we want to ensure that no one is left out,” Kelebeng said at the time.
For many who had been calling for revival of school sports, the minister’s words brought a glimmer of hope. This little glimmer of hope however dimmed this past week as Botswana Teachers’ Union (BTU) made its stance known on the return of school sports, under the Matlhagolatsela Programme.
Since its announcement under Kelebeng’s predecessor Tumiso Rakgare, the Matlhagolatsela programme never got support. Among some of its stumbling blocks, Teachers’ Unions and some stakeholders believed it would reduce sporting codes, limit students’ participation while calling for teachers to volunteer their services. The idea of volunteerism is however not widely accepted. Teachers believe it is exploitative.
They are not the only ones to pour cold water over the programme. During a Sport Pitso (sports gathering) which was hosted last month, many sport administrators also dismissed Matlhagolatsela programme. They described it as a political stunt used by the previous regime for campaigning purposes. Their argument was that it offered no real benefits to the growth of sports in the country
With the Ministry of Sport now seemingly keen to implement the programme, teachers are counter reacting. In a press statement, BTU called on its members ‘not to engage in any sporting activities until the union officially communicates the outcome of the pending negotiations’ with the government.
While confirming their meeting with Kelebeng, BTU however insists they only agreed to ‘resuscitate negotiations for school sports.’ “The honourable minister was adamant and content that we should start school sports by April 2025.”
“The Botswana Teachers Union is committed to making the minister’s desire a reality. We believe that if all parties are equally committed, we can achieve this goal in the best interest of the learners.”
“The union pledged to work swiftly and with commitment so that school sports return by April 2025. As we waited to meet and kickstart negotiations, we were surprised to learn that the Ministry was busy selling a product less likely to benefit leaners and achieve what the Minister seemed interested in.”
“We are deeply disappointed by this arrangement, as the Ministry of Sports and Arts does not seem to take this matter seriously, which is a cause for concern.”
“Teachers are always ready to train and coach learners in sporting activities, and as BTU, we are committed to ensuring our members do not engage in exploitative arrangements,” BTU said in its statement.
Now with BTU having put their foot down, it remains to be seen whether school sport will return this year. The absence of school sport has been felt across the social and sporting fabric of Botswana. School sport was a significant contributor in the unearthing and nurturing of the country’s sport talent.
Almost all, if not all of the country’s sporting talent are from school sport. The list is endless. Past and present sports stars like track athletes Amantle Montsho, Isaac Makwala, Letsile Tebogo, Volleyball aces Tracy Chaba, Monica Alfred, Boxers Oteng Oteng, Rajab Mohammed, Sadie Kenosi etc, are products of the school sports system.
Beside unearthing new sporting talent, sport was seen as a contributor towards moulding students. As such, many have attributed the current rise in social ills among the youth to the absence of school sport.
