Twenty Five (25) Fighting years of Lesotho Teachers Trade Union (LTTU)
Twenty Five Years of Unbroken Struggle
By Vuyani Tyhali
...."In other words, the sort of Party Cadre we want, despite
the fact that we are a big party, is an activist not the one who just sits
on his or her chair and boast about Party Membership. We want somebody who
is involved totally in the struggle to transform our society." Chris Hani.
"Tell no lies and claim no easy victories" Amilcar Cabral".
The objectives of this article are amongst others:
a. After reading this article, the reader will be able to
write the year in which Lesotho Teachers Trade Union (LTTU) was formed and
why it was formed.
b. The reader will be able to write the names of the
organisations that formed LTTU
c. The reader will be able to state the role played by the
Youth in LTTU struggles
d. The reader will be able to list the 1990 and 1995
teachers' demands
e. The reader will be able to state the role played by the
Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL) during the 1990 teachers strike
f. The reader will be able to list the achievements of
LTTU
Brief Historical Background of LTTU
Lesotho Teachers Trade Union (LTTU) was born in the Crucible of the struggle
in September 1990. Three Teachers Organisations namely the National
Association of Lesotho Teachers (NALT), Lesotho African National Teachers
Association (LANTA) and Lesotho Union of Teachers (LUT) came together and
formed LTTU. The catalyst to the formation of LTTU was the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The IMF and World Bank were invited
to Lesotho by the then Lesotho Military Government in 1988 to revive
Lesotho's declining economy. The IMF introduced its notorious Structural
Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1990. Civil Servants salaries as well as
teachers' salaries were cut down severely. The three teachers splinter
organisations namely LANTA, NALT, LUT convened a meeting with the exception
of Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT). LAT refused to attend the meeting
because the three had wanted to oppose the IMF SAPS in Lesotho. The LAT
regarded the meeting of the three organisations as being anti-military
government. The three organisations channelled the teachers' anger towards
the formation of one teachers' organisation. In Butha-Buthe teachers' anger
was harnessed. A district meeting for teachers was convened. A new set of
teachers' demands was compiled. Teachers in the Roma Valley convened a
meetng and compiled a set of teachers' demands. Activists from the three
teachers' organisations under the banner of Teachers Strike Committee (TSC)
or Lesotho Teachers Coordinating Committee (LTCC) met and consolidated the
Butha-Buthe teachers' demands and the Roma Valley teachers' demands.
Activists did not boast about their leadership positions but were very
active in changing the teachers living conditions.
The 1990 Teachers Demands
Teachers were paid Palliative Salaries in 1990. A Primary Teachers Diploma
(PTD) earned R250.00 a month, holders of a Secondary Teachers Diploma earned
R350.00 a month, and a Diploma holder earned R400.00 while a Degree holder
earned R600.00. This is why the teachers then were angry with the then
Military Government and rejected the IMF SAPS. We demanded as teachers:
a. 300% for the lowest paid teachers
200% pay for Middle Category
100% pay for the highest paid category
b. We demanded Free Education
c. We demanded Car Advance and Housing Allowance
d. We demanded Pension for the aged teachers and death gratuity
which was not enjoyed by teachers
e. We demanded recognition of one of the Teachers Associations
We demanded that the then military government should have responded within
two months March and April 1990 of face the teachers strike by May 1990. We
further demanded a refund of the cut salaries. The Military Government did
not head the teachers' ultimatum. Teachers in the Butha-Buthe district
downed chalks on the 17th May 1990 while country wide teachers downed chalks
on the 30th May 1990.
The Response of the Military Government
The Lesotho Military Government was very fascistic then. We were told that
the budget had already been made and there was no way that our demands could
be met in 1990. The Military Government organised country wide rallies
denouncing the teachers strike led by the STC or LTCC. The Military
Government refused to meet the STC or LTCC leaders. The Military Government
viewed or regarded the teachers strike as an insurrection organised by the
underground military wing of the African National Congress of South Africa
(ANCSA) Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK). Sometimes we were accused of being influenced
by the Catholic Church to go on strike or the Basotho National Party (BNP).
The ANC accusation was made because some of the former leaders of the
Committee for Action and Solidarity for Southern African Students (CASSAS)
formed by Chris Hani at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) were
leading the TSC/LTCC. Some of these leaders of the TSC or LTCC were
detained.
The response of the TSC or LTCC
We advised Principals to convene meetings in our various schools to tell
parents about the strike and close schools and they complied. District
Parents education crisis committees were formed through our efforts and
demanded the Military Government to address the teachers' grievances. We
selected twenty (20) beautiful single females and ordered them to smile and
visit the chairman of the Military Council and Council of Ministers and
advise him to meet the TSC/LTCC leaders. We had known that members of the
Military Council had an excellent appetite towards ladies and their mouths
were watering when they saw ladies. The Military Government was isolated and
their order No.4 which banned meetings of five or more people was defeated
as citizens were meeting country wide. The Military Government Succumbed and
met the TSC/LTCC.
The role of the Youth in LTTU Struggles
CASSAS mobilised the University Students to demonstrate in Maseru in support
of the teachers strike. CASSAS was led by Nthakeng Selinyna and Maaparankoe
Mahao who became the Commander of Lesotho Defence Force as a Lieutenant
General and the Students Representative Council (SRC) led by the now
Advocate Dr. Kananelo Mosito an NUL Law Lectures and President of Appeal
Court of Lesotho, the highest court in Lesotho. The Young Christian Students
(YCS) and Lesotho Patriotic Youth Organisation (LPYO) mobilised by
Maaparankoe Mahao were also mobilised. The Lesotho College of Education
(LCE) students joined the demonstrations in support of the 1990 teachers'
demands. Mosito and Mahao wanted the TSC/LTCC to demand the democratisation
of Lesotho as societies issues were also trade union issues and were very
vocal on democratisation. Maaparankoe took it upon himself to organise
meetings from 1990-1994 of completing teachers to join LTTU at NUL.
The role of the Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL)
The CPL was formed by the ANC and South African Communist Party (SACP) in
1962. It was banned in 1970 under the Suppression of Communism Act. During
its banning the CPL survived in the trade union movement hence its leaders
have doubled as trade union leaders and the CPL. During the 1986 Military
Coup which was intended to make the South African Liberation struggle a
distant clap of thunder and destroy the MK Military and Political
infrastructure, the general secretary of the CPL Mokhafisi Kena had called
on all workers, communists and patriots to the Front to defend the South
African Liberation Struggle. The CPL cadres supported the 1990 teachers
strike. The CPL leadership shared the tactics and strategies of organising a
successful teachers strike in 1990.
Legal Advice
The leadership of the TSC/LTCC was influenced by the Communist elements in
their ranks to select Seana Marena Mphutlane and Company. The office was
manned by Advocates Seana Marena Mphutlane and Lekhetho Rakuoane. They were
both members of the CPL. We informed the teachers that they were both labour
lawyers capable of assisting us during and through our strike. What we did
not tell our members was that both lawyers were stubborn and could not be
intimidated by the military rulers. We knew that their company car which was
used by MK under the command of Mpilo Mazizi Maqhekeza was confiscated by
the Military Government. When Seana was advised to flee Lesotho refused to
do so but hated the Military Government. Seanamarena Mphutlane and company
office served as MK headquarters in Lesotho and also gave legal advice to
trade union in Lesotho.
The effects of the teachers strike
With pressure exerted, the Military Government panicked. Tsepang Tsira and
Bathobakae Mokhothu mainly from the youth were gunned down by the Military
Government. How old would they be by now? Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane was
detained for chairing and organising a successful stay away in support of
the striking teachers. The Military Government drafted Education Order No.
12 of 1990 whereby teachers were banned from forming and joining trade
unions. That any teacher who will organise a strike will be summarily
dismissed and many oppressive clauses. TSC/LTCC leaders and teachers in
general panicked. We were strengthened by Nqosa Mahao who was eloquent and a
CPL strategist. He indicated the loopholes of Education Order No. 12 1990.
The Military Government put to test its education order no.12 of 1990 by
expelling 25 teachers working at Life High School. Advocate Lekhetho
Rakuoane challenged the expulsions in the High Court and we won. Our win
against Life High School board gave every teacher courage and this
solidified the teachers strike.
Under siege, the Military Government called on its' allay the LAT. LAT was
recognised on the eve of the strike at 9.00 pm. Upon recognition LAT
denounced and distanced itself from the strike and called on teachers to
resume teaching in vain. We visited the labour commissioner Fanana Mabote
upon recognition LAT denounced and distanced itself from the strike and
called on teachers to resume teaching in vain. We visited the labour
commissioner Fanana Mabote the one and only labour Commissioner Lesotho has
had. He was with his Legal Advisor Lebereko Lethobane former CASSAS and CPL
member. We were going to register our protest against Educational Order
No.12 of 1990 that it violated the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Conventions to which Lesotho was a Signatory. Lethobane and Fanana told me
that they wanted to register LTTU but were stopped by the Military
Government. They further told me that Education Order No.12 of 1990 was
embarrassing them as custodians of ILO conventions in Lesotho. We agreed
that STC or LTCC should sue them in the High Court of Lesotho and they would
not oppose our application. Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane there after filed an
urgent court application for the registration of LTTU in September 1990 and
won. We suspended the 1990 teachers strike on the 28th August 1990 due to
strike fatigue and the application of no work no pay rule.
The results of the 1990 Teachers Strike
Lesotho was geared for democratisation as there was a Palace Military Coup
whereby Major General Phisoane Ramaema replaced Major Justin Metsing
Lekhanya and initiated the democratisation of Lesotho and gave Government
employees 20% salary increase in 1991. Teachers' pension Order was drafted.
Housing and Car advances were implemented incrementally though teachers'
sites must be located in towns as against villages. The Teaching Service
Commission (TSC) was established for our two employers the Government and
Churches to speed up teachers' employment and payment and be housed under
one roof. In 1992, there was an international conference whereby two
teachers' federations merged and form Education International which we
missed. We experienced financial constraints whereby if we had attended the
International Conference we would spend all our resources yet at home were
experiencing Education Order No.4 of 1992 being decreed. We had to choose
where to spend money, for air ticket or Court battles against Education
Order No.4 of 1992 which was a duplication of Education Order No.12 of 1990.
We decided not to attend the international conference as LTTU and we missed
Education International Membership for almost eight (8) as our rivals LAT
were blocking our membership.
In 1994 LTTU defended democracy when the King staged a Palace Coup against a
democratically elected Government. LTTU led in organising stay at homes
which were very successful until a democratically elected Government was
re-instated by the interventions of Presidents Masire, Mandela and Mugabe.
In 1994, we participated in the March when the LDF Personnel split and were
firing at each other. We were led by Maaparankoe Mahao demanding peace in
Lesotho and also defending democracy.
The 1994 Teachers Demands
In 1994, we engaged the democratically elected Government of Lesotho to
negotiate pay increase or salary increase for the teachers, payment of
pension to our aged and upgrading of the college of Preceptors certificates
i.e. ACP and others that were down graded as the Government argued that
their content was low. During negotiation on salary increase, the Government
argued that she had no money we would have to wait until January 1995 to
earn our agreed upgraded salaries. We wanted upgrading because percentages
widened the salary gap. The Government delegation agreed and we signed an
agreement with our democratically elected Government that come February 1995
we would get our salaries. We earned our increased salaries and arrears for
two months and the democratically elected Government dubbed the salary
increase a mistake (Ke phosho) through the instructions of the IMF. We
organised March protests country wide. Many teachers suffered from High
Blood Pressure, Diabetics, Stress and some collapse as they had high hopes
due to the new salary increase. In our March protests, we were joined by
LAT. When the democratically Government was not relenting, we called for a
teachers general strike in August 1995. The LAT pulled out of the teachers
strike accusing LTTU of destabilising a democratically elected Government.
The democratically elected government applied the principle of no work no
pay for the months of August and September 1995. Our hungry members
chickened out, went to the LAT offices. They were ordered to join the LAT
and thereafter written letters to the government to be given their salary
cheques. LAT also accused LTTU to be under the influence of the CPL and
Popular Front for Democracy (PFD). LAT called on all teachers who were
members of Basutoland Congress Party (BCP) no to participate in the strike.
The Lesotho Evangelical Church (Kereke ea Evangeli Lesotho - KEL) a teachers
employer put its weight behind the government and LAT's call. We retreated
and suspended the 1995 teachers strike. That was the last ever effective
teachers strike to be organised in Lesotho.
In 1996, we petitioned the NUL to offer part time studies to teachers. I had
discussed this idea behind the scenes with Dr Pulane Lefoka and Mrs Molise.
When the petition arrived at the NUL, it was given to them to study and
advise the University accordingly. Lefoka and Molise advised the University
to offer teachers part time studies and was done from 1997 to date. I want
to thank them on behalf of teachers as nobody has ever thanked them. In
1998, LTTU led the formation of the Congress of Lesotho Trade Unions
(COLETU) which regarded itself as a Marxist Leninist Trade Union federation
which brought together textile, construction and security workers. In 1998,
LTTU congress resolved that Lesotho government be approached to establish a
contributory pension scheme for government employees. Our retirees were
telling us that the pension they were earning was small. From 1999 to 2005
we marched demanding a contributory pension until it was established through
the pension fund act of 2008. The December 1998 congress of LTTU which was
also attended by the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) resolved
to form an alternative teachers' federation in the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) region as the Southern African Teachers
Organisations (SATO) was refusing us membership. The task was assigned
Raymond Majongwe and Vuyani Tyhali. Raymond Majongwe outperformed me. The
Association of Non-aligned Teachers Unions of Southern Africa (ANTUSA) was
formed. ANTUSA has organised rotational teachers' games and debates which
are always a success.
In 2016, during Easter holidays we will be attending ANTUSA games organised
by PTUZ at Victoria Falls (Mosiwatunya) Phambili ANTUSA games Phambili
Mosiwatunya Phambili. I will be in Mosiwatunya for the third time to cheer
my LTTU team. Once more Phambili Mosiwatunya Phambili. Despite setbacks
during our strikes, LTTU still championed the teachers' living wage through
demonstration. In 2008 LTTU participated in deliberations of an expert Mr
Living stone who was contracted to review and recommend teachers' salaries.
We struck a good deal and teachers' were better paid government employees.
This was under the leadership of Dr Mamphono Khaketla in 2009 the then
minister of education.
Phambili LTTU Phambili Phambili Mosiwatunya Phambili, long live the working
class long live, I am twenty five (25) years in the leadership of LTTU. It
is time that I must retire.
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