29 Jan 2017

Lesoma will join the rest of the country in commemorating Fallen Heroes Day in February this year, President Lt Gen.  Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has announced.

His announcement followed  Lesoma kgosi, Mr Lesoma Lesoma’s plea on Friday when the President paid a visit to the village to share a meal with the destitute people and elderly.

President Khama said he would ensure that Botswana Defence Force liaise with the village to ensure inclusion.

“Starting this very year, Lesoma will also take part in this commemoration, the minister responsible and the Botswana Defence Force will make sure of it,” he said.

Commemoration of Fallen Heroes Day began on February 27, 2011, when the event was started in order to remember the 15 Botswana Defence Force members who were killed during an ambush by the Rhodesian Regime on February 27, 1978.

Past commemorations were held in Gaborone leaving out Lesoma where the ambush took place.

And residents complained about their exclusion in the past.

Following the initial commemoration in 2011, a deliberate decision was taken to recognise other fallen heroes who met their demise in the line of duty such as during World War II (WW II), in Peace Support Operations, Inter-Regional Deployments, local deployments and training.

Kgosi Lesoma said in an interview, after the announcement, that he was honoured that the President had heeded to his call and thanked him for spending time with them.

The area MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni, also welcomed the decision to include Lesoma in the Fallen Heroes commemoration since the village had played a historic role in the commemoration itself.

President Khama also donated 30 chairs to the kgotla as well as blankets, light, Bibles, footballs and kits to residents. BOPA