Topias Marenga: Towering figure of Botswana's labour movement :: Mmegi Online

Topias Marenga is not only a towering figure in physical stature but also a towering figure in the country’s labour movement. Marenga is one of the architects of Botswana’s historic 2011 and longest public servants’ strike dubbed the “Mother of all strikes”. As a precursor to the commemorations of the Labour Day on Saturday and 10th anniversary of 2011 strike, Mmegi Correspondent LEBOGANG MOSIKARE asks this union luminary a number of questions

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

Marenga: Notable achievements happened following that historic downing of tools/labour by public servants. You will recall that before that strike, the Public Service Act only allowed workers in the private sector to strike. The prerogative to strike changed after that strike. Government started to hear the voices of various public workers unions and allowed them to unionise as per the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention. That on its own is a huge achievement since it paved way for the formation of the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC). This a vital structure were the employer and unions sit around the table to discuss various issues concerning the welfare of workers.

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