Our History
Botswana Mine Workers was formed in late 1960s in Francistown and was formerly registered on the 17th May 1970 following the enactment of the Trade Union’s Act of 1969. The union was formed after Orapa mines were opened, to represent the interest of the mine workers and those in quarries. The union concerned itself in organising workers to improve relations between employees and employers.
The union had its first headquarters in Francistown under the Interim committee of leadership Cde Stephen Sehunelo as the chairman and Cde Robert Kennetswe as the general secretary. The union held its first congress in February 1971 with delegates from Orapa, Phikwe and Shashe to elect its first National Executive Committee in Francistown.
After this historic conference the BMWU headquarters moved to Orapa after its first elective committee under the leadership of Cdes : Mr. Lethogile P Mollowakgota as National Chairman, and Mr. Gaboutlwe Bashi Mathoame elected General Secretary while Mr. Alfred Lesole was elected National Treasure.
Because Orapa was a closed town the union headquarters were subsequently moved to Selebi Phikwe where they remain to date.
Strike Period 1970 – 1991
In November 1974, a peaceful strike took place at Orapa concerning pay disputes mainly for machine operators who were not happy with the government policy on minimum wages. The strike resulted in 14 workers being prosecuted for intimidation and assult.
The labour department declared the strike illegal and ordered the workers to return to work. This was a turning point for they needed a strong union and leadership to control members.
In May 3, 1975 a violent strike erupted at BCL Mine following a dispute cost by workers general dissatisfaction which was ignored by management. People were beaten, company and private property destroyed, the Union was not involved. At the end of the strike 662 workers were dismissed, mostly union members, including the entire branch committee and the NEC members only Ditiro Saleshando was spared which gave him a baptism of fire as he was new in office. The Strike was a result of workers general dissatisfaction.
In 1991 another strike took place at Jwaneng mine, in which workers demanded better pay for citizen artisans. The strike lasted for eight (8) days. Subsequent strikes were that of 2004 where the three (3) Debswana Dimond Company mines were affected where consequently 461 employees lost their jobs.
On the 29th August 2006 another strike involved 181 machine men in Selebi Phikwe erupted and 176 lost their jobs.
Vision & Mission
BMWU
Why Join The Botswana Mine Workers Union
How to Join Us
- Membership of the union is open to all eligible workers employed in the mining, energy, oil, gas, petrolium, manufacturing, moulding construction, sorting, polishing, chemical, quarrying, prospecting, drilling, and allied industries.
- No employee under the age of fifteen (15) years is eligible for membership of the Botswana Mine Workers Union.
- Only workers that are in active employment are eligible for membership.
- Every person desiring to become a member of the union shall complete an official application form at the area of their employment and sign an authorisation form for the deduction of 1% of their basic salary as monthly membership subscriptions.
- Membership becomes effective once 1% subscription has been paid.
- Approved applicants are registered in the BMWU membership management database as official members.
- Registered members are issued with a copy of the Constitution and a membership identification card.
Our Structure
Kabo Ramatsipele
Treasurer
Joseph Tsimako
President
Maenge P.G Maenge
General Secretary
Delegate’s Congress is the supreme governing body of the Union and has the power to waive or vary or amend provisions under the Constitution from time to time. The Delegates Congress has the power to consider and make resolutions on any matter on the agenda including matters not specifically stated in the constitution. The decisions of the delegate congress are binding on all members and structures of the Union.
Some of the responsibilities of Delegate’s Congress are:
- Address by the President, report by the General Secretary and the National Treasure and other special reports.
- Reports on activities of the union, including financial reports.
- Proposals for the development activities of the union and all other matters on the agenda.
- Proposals for the amendment of the constitution.
- Approve amendments to the constitution.
- Appoint Trustees and External Auditors.
- Approves audited financial reports.
- Elect the National Executive Committee.
- Appoints the executive secretary.
- Consider all Appeals referred to it from the General Council and its decision is final.
The General Council is the statutory body that runs the Union in between the Congress. General Council poses the power and authority to carry out the business of the Union in accordance with the resolutions and motions of the Delegates Congress during the period in between Congress and it is convened by the National Executive Committee.
Resposible for developing policies and governance instruments for the effective running of the Union.
Members of the General Council comprise of all members of the NEC, Trustees, all branches Chairpersons and Secretaries, Chairperson and Secretary of Women’s council, fulltime shop stewards, all SACCOS Chairperson and Managers, all HIMH Chairperson and Secretaries. Chairperson and Secretaries of the Investment board.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) transects the business of the union on behalf of the General Council and ensures the smooth running of the Union, except for those matters that exclusively require to be dealt with by the General Council or Delegates Congress.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) comprise of ten (10) principle office beares, Executive Secretary and 3 Trustees:
| Principal Office Bearer | Current Officer’s Name & Surname |
|---|---|
| President | Joseph Tsimako |
| Vice President | Onkemetse Desmond Seomeng |
| General Secretary | Maenge P.G Maenge |
| Deputy General Secretary | Kabo Special Maano |
| National Treasurer | Kabo Kgomotso Ramatsipele |
| National Chairperson for Organising | Otsile Bonang |
| National Chairperson for Education | Abednico Bosele |
| National Chairperson for Safety, Health & Enviroment | Samuel Thapelo Dire |
| National Chairperson for Publicity | Dikano Gabatshwane |
| National Chairperson for Gender Empowerment | Ditlolo Kobedi |
| National Chairperson for HIV & AIDS, Wellness Coordinator | Nthabiseng Mmapula Seretse |
| Executive Secretary | Kitso Phiri |
| Trustee | Tshepo Sephiri |
| Trustee | Onalenna Bakani |
| Trustee | Gotaagamang George |
There shall be an established women’s committee, which shall be elected Quadrennial at a women’s congress.
- The primary aim shall be to promote Women participation in Union activities.
- It shall consist of ten (10) principal offers, being
- Chairperson.
- Deputy Chairperson.
- Secretary.
- Deputy Secretary.
- Treasure and Five Committee members
- Chairperson and Secretary should be members of the NEC.
- The President and the General Secretary shall be ex-officious of the Women’s Council.
The Branch Committee responsibilities are to transect the business of the union at enterprise level on behalf of the National Executive Committee.
It has jurisdiction over membership applications.
The Branch Committee consists of the following officers :
| Position |
|---|
| Chairperson |
| Vice Chairperson |
| Secretary |
| Vise Secretary |
| Treasurer |
| Chairperson for Education |
| Chairperson for Safety, Health & Environment |
| Chairperson for Gender Empowerment |
| Chairperson for Organising |
| Chairperson for Publicity |
Members employed in the same mine shall elect Fulltime shop stewards. The number of Fulltime shop stewards shall be determined by the Fulltime shop stewards agreement. Duties of the Fulltime shop stewards shall be similar to those of part-time shop stewards and those assigned by the branch committee through the Secretary. The FTSS shall be ex-officio members of the branch committee.
Fulltime shop stewards shall be members of the General Council.
Part-time shop stewards are union representatives elected at shop floor level (section). The term of office is three (3) years. They shall elect chief shop stewards and Secretary amongst them.
Their duties include:
- Receive and attend to complaints affecting members concerning their employment.
- To represent members during grievance and disciplinary proceedings.
- Report to the branch committee any improper employment practice or contravention of collective labour agreement and any workplace law by the employer
- Actively recruit members into the union.
- To negotiate at shop floor.
Our members duties and responsibilities:
- Ensure that their subscriptions are up to date.
- Attend all Union meetings and activities and contribute meaningfully.
- Be ready to elect and get elected.
- Ensure they are educated in trade unionism.
- Always abide by the constitution.
- Always conduct themsleves well, including in Union meetings and should not bring disrepute to the Union.
- Notify the Branch Secretary as soon as possible should they change address and place of employment.
- Have equal rights and obligations as other members under the constitution.
Kitso Phillip Phiri
Executive Secretary
Puleng Ookeditse
National Administration Officer
Abel Buka
National Organizing Coordinator
Florance Kajane
Accounts Officer
Mpho Entle Paakanyo
Management Secretary
Thabo Lekgoba
Organizing Officer
Gaositwe Oabile
IT & Communications Officer
Eldah Gabautwe
Office Secretary
Tidimalo Lekwape
Office Secretary
Botho Motlaleng
Office Secretary
Lenah Kwalang
Driver & Messenger
Bagele Wendy Bernard
Office Secretary
