Quality education can save Botswana - Hunyepa
Trade unionist and Umbrella for Democratic Change ( UDC) Parliamentary candidate for Tati West, Justin Hunyepa says the solution to Botswana’s problems is quality education.
The staunch trade unionist, who is currently employed by Botswana Sector for Educators Union ( BOSETU) said if the country could have quality curriculum and then motivate teachers with a package of incentives, all national problems will be sorted overnight.
He said students will be ready for selfemployment by the time they complete Standard 7. UDC has deployed Justin Hunyepa as a Parliamentary candidate in the Tati West constituency which is managed by BPP.
He told this publication in an interview that as an activist, he accepted the deployment. He stated that BOSETU is in full support of his candidacy just like other unions in Botswana, which have supported their employees in politics before, including BTU, BLLAWHU, Manual Workers Union, among others.
He said unions have made attempts in the past to have a voice in Parliament but have not been successful. “I will be the voice of the workers through their mandate and I need their support more than ever. Having served in several platforms as a leader at various levels and produced remarkable results for many years now, I am ready to be a legislator.
“I have served as a student leader, educationist and trade unionist. I am confident I will continue to deliver in Parliament as I have a traceable track record in advocacy and lobbying. I was once a BOCONGO board member.
“BOCONGO has over 100 affiliates, which are community- based. I have therefore worked with several communities and therefore capable of easily working with the Tati West communities in community projects to improve their welfare,” Hunyepa said this week.
He indicated that as a trade unionist and teacher for 30 years now, he is proud of the successes he has recorded in this journey and is confident that he can easily advocate and lobby for the development of Tati West constituency through consultation.
“Our people need quality education that immediately positively transform their lives through self- employment and job creation. Our people need quality health care and projects that take them out of poverty and endless hunger in a rich country. Most of the deaths are due to poor health systems and starvation.”
According to Hunyepa, some of the spirited national campaigns that he led under BOFESETE and BOSETU support include; campaign against transportation of students in Open Trucks until it was abolished; campaign against Double Shift until it was abolished; campaign Against Re- introduction of School Fees until it was reduced and renamed cost recovery, cost sharing; campaigns against the then Examination Research and Testing Division ( ERTD), now BEC and subsequent 2009 case which BOSETU won; as well as campaign against public officers being subjected to half salary when on study leave, a matter now won against government.
“These are some of my spirited national advocacy and lobbying achievements and campaigns which demonstrate that I am capable to represent the Tati West community in parliament. There is a traceable track record.
“I strongly feel that Tati West constituency should be developed infrastructurally and socially to reduce un- development and poverty. The constituency has its fair share of educated patriots who understand development issues and these must be engaged. Some are pensioners, in early retirement and others are still active.”
On the issue of the recently bought 45 000 hectares of land from the colonial Tati Company, Hunyepa said it must be handed to the Tati Landboard for equitable distribution to the North East people.
He said land ‘ vultures’ associated with the ruling party are already circling around it but will not be allowed to steal the land anymore. He revealed that the community will be engaged to get that land back to its rightful owners and even more that it is still unaccounted for.
“The marginalised groups will also be given a voice in Parliament as they are easily identifiable and will be engaged to get their mandate. The farmers and old age pensioners have to be recognised and their welfare taken seriously.
“Most of the pensioners are still productive and their wealth of experience must be tapped into. The UDC P1500 still stands and will be pushed in Parliament for implementation,” Hunyepa said.