Johnson Motshwarakgole: Botswana's grandfather of unionism :: Mmegi Online

The history of unions in Botswana will not be complete without mentioning the name Motshwarakgole. A shrewd unionist, Motshwarakgole was also a major player in Botswana’s historic and longest strike by public workers in 2011. Mmegi Correspondents LESEDI MKHUTSHWA and LEBOGANG MOSIKARE asked him about that historic moment

Mmegi: You were one of the main architects of Botswana’s historic 2011 public servants’ strike, how do you think that strike had shaped or influenced labour relations between government and unions in the country?

Motshwarakgole: When the new leader took over from former president, Ian Khama, they understood that civil servants can go on strike. The current government understands the implications and damage that can be caused by a national strike. Therefore, they take decisions regarding labour relations cautiously and have now started hearing the voices of public servants through their respective unions to avoid history repeating itself.

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