People of the Union: Onalethata Tshekiso (Botswana)

People of the Union puts the spotlight on individuals across FIFPRO’s member associations who are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of professional footballers.

Onalethata Tshekiso is the president of the Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB). The former Botswana international striker talks about the player union’s evolution, who inspires him, and his passion for preparing players for life after football.

FIFPRO: Tell us about yourself: what’s your current role and what’s your background?

Onalethata Tshekiso: My name is Onalethata Tshekiso and I’m the president of the Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB). I started with the union from its formation in 2010 as an ambassador during my playing days before assuming the position of vice president when it fell vacant in 2014. Three years later, after my retirement from active football, I was endorsed at the general assembly as the president of the organisation in June 2017.

I have a degree in cost and management accounting, and a postgraduate diploma in taxation. As well as my role with the union, I also sit as a council member with the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions where I am a member of the finance committee. I have also set up my own company doing sales, agency and maintenance services.

What issues affecting player welfare are you most passionate about? 

Education, personal development and life after football career are the top priorities for me. Footballers in Botswana, and more generally in Africa, do not earn enough to sustain them beyond their playing days and so it’s important to prepare them for life after football. We have partnered with institutions of higher learning, who give us slots in multiple competencies which we offer to our members. We have also collaborated with our FA and sponsored players who are about to retire for coaching and football administration courses.

Can you share one of your proudest moments or achievements working as a union representative?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the government provided care and assistance to citizens with food and other amenities. We were forced to make arrangements for non-citizens and we ended up delivering food parcels to those particular players. The MOU Competition Rights agreement we secured with the FA and the league are also among some of the wins that make us proud, as well as the standard contract and national dispute resolution chamber (NDRC).

If you could change one thing in football, what would it be?

Football needs to reward, respect and honor players more. Discrimination, racism, oppression and exploitation are elements that need to be removed from the sport in general if we are to have a better working environment for all. This is where all of us should channel more of our resources.

Is there anyone in the union world or in sports in general who inspires you?

I draw inspiration from two particular individuals: our founding president Mmoni Segopolo, and the general secretary of Division Africa Kgosana Masaseng. They are proof that anything is possible with the right work ethic and mentality.

Segopolo conceived an organisation that has shaped our local game today, while Kgosana has pushed everything and everyone involved. He has helped a small organisation from a small country stand with organisations from world superpowers of football.

What is your favourite football memory?

Growing up in rural Botswana, we were mainly exposed to South African football. Two names will always remain in my mind – and probably the reason why i played the game and loved the No10 jersey: John "Shoes" Moshoeu and Doctor Khumalo.

FIFPRO is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.  What does being part of a global union mean to you?

FIFPRO has been the pinnacle of player advocacy and through its support, we have seen landmark cases won across the world. There is real solidarity and we’ve even seen the smallest unions being able to take on the football powers with the support of FIFPRO. Player unions will only get stronger and stronger under the care of FIFPRO.