10 Aug 2015

The Commandant at Defence Command and Staff College at the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Brigadier Shadrack Moloi has advised senior command staff to deliver after a year-long course aimed at rejuvenating and empowering them.

Giving a vote of thanks at the awards ceremony held at Glen Valley BDF Camp in Gaborone on Friday August 7, Brig. Moloi said they should go back to their respective countries knowing that their command and leadership roles have increased.

He said there would be greater expectations from them, and should show the way to their subordinates. Brig. Moloi noted that the graduates, who were made of military officers from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe should demonstrate that their stay at the college was gainful, and that they should always strive for excellence and exceptionality.

He expressed gratitude to friends of the college who continue to support them in the delivery of the curriculum, and further appreciated the contribution of various government departments and parastatals as well as the private sector for supporting them in various ways.

He commended Dr Jeff Ramsey who has been teaching military history since the start of the college in 2008 without any reward, adding that he has made the subject exciting and easy to grasp.

He also commended the former deputy commander, Major General Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo who has been a visiting lecturer at the college for years and was presenting on peace support operations, particularly as he has insight knowledge and experience from a number of peacekeeping missions including in Somalia and Eritrea.

Meanwhile, Brig. Moloi applauded the decision to close the college from August to December to allow for the review of the curriculum. He said the college would only open in January 2016 in line with others in the SADC region.

He added that it would allow for synergies and synchronised efforts in curriculum delivery. Out of 47 officers who graduated, BDF’s Major Wesley Seema scooped a meritorious medal for excellence, an achievement he attributed to commitment and dedication of sleepless nights.

He said although the course was demanding, he was able to allocate and manage school time as well as family time. He further said the attainment of the medal showed that he has qualities for leadership position though he did not necessarily aim to clinch the award.

On the other hand, Lt Col Nomabali Mkhwanazi of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) scooped the best research paper after researching on gender equality in the armed forces. She had based her research on women in the military forces in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, the USA and China.

She said she found that their male counterparts still do not feel comfortable with their presence, and that women were trying to prove themselves by also joining combat units. Major Mkhwanazi is, however, in the human resource unit of the army. ENDS