17 Aug 2014

Residents in some settlements in the Ghanzi District have benefited from the just ended peace keeping operation dubbed Exercise Tshwaragano.

The joint training exercise made up of 460 personnel, which started on July 27 and comprised the Botswana Defence Force and Namibia Defence Force, ended on August 14 after three weeks of exercise.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Battalion Commander of 15 Infantry Battalion and Battalion Commander for Exercise Tshwaragano, Lt Col George Bogatsu said some settlements benefited a lot as the medical personnel from both BDF and NDF helped in community outreach projects including HIV testing, tooth extraction and Safe Male Circumcision. 

He noted that in Ghanzi, only four people did SMC, nine in Grootlaagte, six in Qabo, one in D’Kar and 12 in Chobokwane. He added that also four people tested for HIV in Ghanzi, 27 in Grootlaagte, 32 in Qabo, 23 in D’Kar and 24 in Chobokwane.

The two national defence force camps have refurbished the Chobokwane Camp site ablution block.

The camp site is a community project meant to benefit Chobokwane residents by generating funds through tourists rentals. 

They also painted the Chobokwane Kindergarten.

Lt Col. Bogatsu further said the exercise did not only benefit communities but also troops from the two countries through their interaction with residents.

Meanwhile, the three-week long exercise aimed to, among others, increase and strengthen and harmonise relationships amongst troops.

The defence forces are also looking at testing and improving interoperability of communication systems and encourage cultural exchange between the BDF and NDF. Ends