02 Jul 2014

After disaster befell them last year when a block for 25 men at Botswana Defence Force’s Area S camp was destroyed by fire, the BDF at second Infantry Brigade decided to open a disaster fund.

In their effort to raise funds, which will not only carter for the soldiers’ future misfortunes, but will also lookout for the community at large, BDF began series of disaster preparedness fundraising concert.

The first stop was Tutume Mc Connell concert that had to start late because of low turn up as a result of the ongoing world cup and the chilling weather.

The ever sleepy Tutume night crawlers were nowhere to be seen as the few that made it to the concert at the scheduled time remained glued to their chairs as if there was nothing happening although the band presented to them moving jazz tunes to warm them up.

Despite not being a fully packed BDF bands known to the masses for their grand performances on national tours, the northern side band also did not disappoint as their smaller divisions of pantsulas, traditional dance troupes and drama group spiced up the fun with real life issues presentations.

It was until late in the night that the numbers increased to pick the pace in the dance floor for the good purpose of the show which unlike the main band, the entrance fee was way affordable standing at just P30.00.

In an interview with Public Affairs Staff Officer North, Captain Bokang Gaobotse explained that in the past soldiers and BDF officers used to contribute on quarterly basis for outreach programmes.

He said since they have reduced on quarterly contributions as BDF units, they then decided to come up with ways to fund raise for their social responsibility programmes.

Captain Gaobotse noted that it was then that they decided to host a concert just in the north to fundraise, adding that the intension is for the fund to always have something which at the time of need will avail contributions instead of running around to seek assistance.

“We want to seek assistance to add to what we already have,” he said.

Through this initiative which he said will be an annual event, they will continue to work with council’s social and community development departments to identify needy persons who they will assist with the funds while also keeping an eye on disasters.

From Tutume, the band heads to Maun where they will also host the public wellness day for their supporters to come and have healthy checkups. He however stressed that the BDF band live in concert will remain and kickoff their tour in November. ENDS