28 Feb 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama on Friday February 26 laid a wreath at the Three Dikgosi Monument in memory of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldiers who died when Rhodesian forces ambushed them at Lesoma in 1978 as well as uniformed members who lost their lives in their line of duty such as peace support operations, inter regional deployments, local deployments and training. 

The BDF Commander, Lt Gen. Gaolathe Galebotswe said the fallen heroes vowed to put duty before anything and it would only be remiss not to celebrate their lives, hence the theme, We Shall Never Forget.

Lt Gen. Galebotswe said the fallen heroes carried out their duty of protecting Botswana “with great pride and distinction.”

He said the men and women that were being honoured were indeed courageous and daring in the defence of the nation.

As such, he said Botswana continued to enjoy peace emanating from sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.

Further, he said the departed heroes especially of the Lesoma tragedy surrendered their lives whilst in pursuit of the BDFs’ mandate of defending Botswana territorial integrity, sovereignty and national interest.  

He stated, however that  it was not the desire of any nation or military to lose soldiers while in the quest to preserve national security, adding loss of life in the military was inevitable, taking cognisance of the nature of the profession which required one to defend their country by putting their lives in the line of fire.

For that reason, he said those who heeded the call of dying in the defence of their country were as a universal practice revered for being brave and selfless.

“The military is not just a job, but a vocation or calling, something one does because it is the right thing to do,” he said.

Again, he said those who lost their lives had a conviction that there was no greater honour than losing one’s life in the defence of a country which they swore to protect.

He pointed out that by honouring the memories of the fallen heroes, their sacrifices, true patriotism they exhibited in defence for the nation, they were showing appreciation for their courageous devotion to the service of their country adding that the fallen heroes together with their families would never be forgotten.

He expressed gratitude to the families and also passed condolences and empathy for their loss.

He said though there is nothing in the world to make up for the loss of their loved ones they would forever be in their prayers.

Among dignitaries who attended the ceremony were Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Minister for Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi, Ntlo ya Dikgosi chairperson, Kgosi Puso Gaborone, Court of Appeal president Justice Ian Kirby and other stakeholders.

Commemoration activities included observing a moment of silence, sounding of last Post, laying of the wreath, three gun volley salute, sounding of reveille and raising the flag to full mast. ENDS