Mavis is an advocate for the protection of labour rights with a background in labour relations, sociology, and economic policies and development. She is passionate about social movements and public institutions that advocate and promote democracy, gender equality and inclusion, social justice, and human - and trade union rights.
Mavis is a native of Botswana and currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Trade Union Coordination Council (SATUCC). SATUCC is the platform for trade unions and workers to engage with governments and employers nationally and regionally through the active and effective participation of affiliate national federations. From its inception, SATUCC has assumed a high political profile, reporting on economic, political and labour conditions, human and trade union rights and trying to influence the policies of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Through her work at SATUCC, Mavis has become an expert in negotiations/collective bargaining, alternative dispute resolution (ADR mediation and arbitration), fair recruitment and ethical processes, and labour migration.
Mavis has an undergraduate degree in labour and industrial relations from Wayne State University and is a Global Labour University (GLU) Alumnus of the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.
Growing up, I witnessed a lot of disparities and unequal treatment amongst boys and girls and later as a young adult in the workplace. I am motivated to change the patriarchal mindset within the predominantly male-led labour movement to recognise that women can also have power and influence if given equal opportunities and that together we can achieve more for our societies.Mavis A. Koogotsitse