01 Sep 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has ushered in a new Botswana Defence Force (BDF) commander.

Maj. Gen. Placid Segokgo took over the reigns during a change of command ceremony in Mogoditshane yesterday.

The ceremony also marked the end of 33 years of active military service for the outgoing commander, Lt Gen. Gaolatlhe Galebotswe.

President Khama, who is also the Commander in Chief, handed the BDF flag to the new commander to symbolise transfer of command.  

Maj. Gen. Segokgo expressed gratitude to President Khama for the confidence he showed by appoinitng him to lead the BDF.  

He also thanked Lt Gen. Galebotswe for stewardship of the BDF over the past four years saying, “it has been a very enriching period during which I had unrestrained opportunities of rendering my considered advice with full confidence that I shall be listened to and a very well reflected response given.”

Maj. Gen. Segokgo also noted that his predecessor took the organisation through an in-depth review of readiness and capabilities of the defence force.  He said at the time, the BDF was grappling with two major challenges.  Firstly a contextual environment that was and continues to change.

He explained that the environment  was characterised by an upsurge of global terrorism, transnational crime and climate change.  

Secondly, the defense force was faced with ageing capital military machinery that needed to be rationalised with its mandate and the new emerging threats.

He said their view hinged on the realisation that over the years their missions increased whilst their total manning remained the same.

These views, he said, were aimed at ensuring that as a defence force, they continued to remain true to their desire of being a professional, prompt and decisive force.

Maj. Gen. Segokgo outlined five key areas as his focus. They are capability, improvement of conditions of service, finalisation of the BDF Act review and the provision of readily trained forces.

Also of importance to consider would be welfare of the nation’s troops as it should remain an enduring principle of the defence strategy.  

For his part, Lt. Gen. Galebotswe expressed delight for an illustrious career in the defence force.  

He said he had a wonderful career from a young platoon leader to where he is today.

“I had the best fours of my life as commander.  This is an experience that will remain with me forever,” he said.

He further explained that he was leaving the defence force a happy and better person because of the interactions and opportunities he had. ENDS