12 Apr 2022

The Kasane Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) branch has been demarcated into three branches.

Welcoming delegates at a branch executive committee elective congress on April 8, the outgoing Kasane branch chairperson, Mr Kgomotso Mokgethi said the Kasane branch covered a vast area from Lesoma to Parakarungu hence the demarcation.

Mr Mokgethi said the branch was demarcated into Kasane, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism (MENT) and Chobe Enclave branches. The demarcation followed a request that was made to the national leadership six years ago. He said the Chobe Enclave was formed under special dispensation and made up of three workplace structures in

Muchenje, Mabele, Kachikau, Satau and Parakarungu while MENT is made up of structures in that ministry.

He noted that having Chobe Enclave branch would assist the members advance their challenges better.

Mr Mokgethi further said the Francistown, Nata, Kasane, Masunga, Tonota, Tutume and Sowa (FRANKMATTS) region was also divided and the Chobe region will start from Sowa to Parakarungu inclusive of Gweta.

This, he said meant that a number of available leadership positions would be contested for, adding that the union leadership was on a voluntary basis without any remuneration and therefore members should volunteer for self- development. He encouraged the incoming branch executive committee to help revive the union after going through turmoil.

Currently the union is coming back on track and there is light in terms of where the union is going, he said further advising the committee to take the union to the general membership and never leave them behind regarding the union state of affairs, its plans and the union’s position in their welfare.

He urged the membership to hold all elected representatives accountable without fear, adding that he observed that there was a tradition by some elected representatives who turn themselves into demigods resulting in members giving up on them even when they have grievances.

Mr Mokgethi urged BOPEU members not to look at small issues such as not getting t-shirts, masks and pens, amongst others but the bigger picture such as how they could get dividends from

Babereki Investments. Members, he said should familiarize themselves with the union constitution and instruments that govern the public service. Meanwhile, Ms Chenesani Rodger was elected as the Kasane branch chairperson with 23 votes against Ms Thamani Makula’s nine votes. Mr Motswakae Gondo was unopposed for the first deputy chairperson while Ms Sheilah Elias garnered 19 votes against Ms Refilwe Mokhai’s seven votes and Mr Thuto Galeitsiwe’s five votes.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Rodger thanked the delegates for trusting her with their votes. She assured the delegates that she would revive the union and ensured that members’ work grievances were dealt with accordingly.

She pleaded for unity in the committee in order for the branch to progress and the general membership welfare taken care of. ENDS