23 Apr 2014

Some workers and human rights organisations in Botswana have called for extension of the commemoration of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) heroes’ day across all sectors.

Champions of this idea included the Botswana Secondary Education Teachers Union (BOSETU), the National Amalgamated Local, Central Government and Parastatal Workers Union and Ditshwanelo-the Botswana Centre for Human Rights.

The secretary general of BOSETU, Mr Tobokani Rari, said the idea was welcome and should be extended to other disciplines such as the teaching because some teachers dedicated themselves to the profession and were injured while on duty.

“I may have names at top of my head but I know of a teacher who was injured while on duty and to me, he should be recognised as a hero,” he added.

Mr Johnson Motshwarakgole of the National Amalgamated Local, Central Government and Parastatal Workers Unions shared the same sentiments with Mr Rari saying he would be happy to have that day established. Mr Motshwarakgole said it was an open secret that the labour movement played an important role in the liberation of any country and Botswana was no exception though the country did not go to war.

He cited people such as the late Motsamai Mpho as examples of unionists who fought for Botswana from being attacked by the South Africa regime of apartheid. Others are Phillip Matante, Kgosi Motsilela Bakwena of Takatokwane and Kgosi Klaas Motshidisi of Palapye.

He said most Batswana did not know the contribution that the labour movement made to national development. The labour movement, for example, rallied behind the formation of cooperative societies.

Ditshwanelo also believes that Botswana should have a day which celebrates the achievement and contribution of all Batswana rather than just honouring fallen members of the Botswana Defence Force.

Ms Tlatsetso Palime, organisation’s public relations officer, said the day should be about Batswana who have contributed meaningfully to create a better Botswana.

“For the reasons outlined above, DITSHWANELO believes a day which celebrates the contribution of Batswana is more appropriate than commemorating a National Heroes’ Day,” she added.
Ms Palime said DITSHWANELO understood that in Botswana, the standard concept of National Heroes’ Day to be the celebration of fallen BDF members who died on duty in Lesoma, but the commemoration should also be extended to other disciplines.
DITSHWANELO believes the attributes of a heroes/heroines include displaying selflessness – doing or working for the benefit of others, encapsulating botho; and contributing to the development of the country through empowering others.

This story follows a pronunciation by the BDF Commander Lt. Gen. Gaolathe Galebotswe announced during this year’s BDF commemoration that staring from next year, the commemoration would no longer be for the victims of the Lesoma ambush but also for other soldiers who died in the line of duty, including those who died in foreign peace-keeping operations. ENDS