The two largest teacher unions in the North West, the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), have welcomed Premier Lazarus Mokgosi’s decision to appoint Dr Desbo Mohono as the province’s new MEC for Education.
The reshuffle sees former North West Provincial Legislature Speaker Dr Mohono take over from Viola Motsumi, who has been removed from the portfolio.
Mokgosi announced the changes during a media briefing in Mahikeng on Wednesday, saying the reshuffle was aimed at strengthening the provincial administration and ensuring that government remained aligned with the province’s development priorities.
The changes also saw MECs move between other portfolios, including former Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation MEC Virginia Tlhapi and Wessels Morweng, who exchanged portfolios involving Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation and Community Safety and Transport Management.
SADTU and NAPTOSA said they were confident that Mohono would work collaboratively with organised labour to address some of the province’s most pressing education challenges.
These include severe overcrowding, school transport backlogs, infrastructure shortages and other longstanding structural problems affecting schools.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, SADTU Provincial Secretary Els Themba welcomed Mohono’s appointment, highlighting her experience in government and her background as a teacher and unionist.
“We are very pleased by this appointment because Dr Mohono brings with her a lot of experience, having served in several government departments, including herself being a teacher and a unionist,” said Themba.
He said the union was ready to work with the new MEC but expected meaningful consultation and respect for collective bargaining.
“We must upfront indicate that as a union we are ready and available to work with the new MEC. But we expect from her meaningful consultation, respect for collective bargaining and making sure there are functional bilateral relations, and being decisive in terms of acting on issues related to the challenges of the department,” Themba said.
NAPTOSA Provincial CEO Kgomotso Hans also welcomed Mohono’s appointment but raised concerns about the timing of the reshuffle, particularly with matric preliminary examinations approaching.
Hans said the leadership change could disrupt preparations that were already under way.
“It is definitely going to negatively impact on the preparations for the matric preliminary examinations, because just when we thought things were continuing smoothly, we suddenly get the news of a reshuffling,” Hans said.
She praised former MEC Motsumi for her efforts to improve matric performance and hold underperforming schools accountable.
Hans urged Mohono to prioritise the safety of staff and learners, as well as addressing infrastructure backlogs, overcrowding and other persistent challenges within the province’s education system.
The unions said they were prepared to engage with the new MEC as she takes on the task of steering the North West education department through a number of longstanding challenges.
