01 Mar 2017

For the first time since fallen heroes commemoration day began in February 27, 2011, Lesoma village joined in the commemoration following a request  by Kgosi Lesoma Lesoma to President, Lt General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama recently.

Kgosi Lesoma had requested that their village should not be left out during such commemorations as they bore the scars of the Lesoma ambush of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldiers, with 15 of the soldiers killed that led to the birth of the commemoration.

The commemoration was originally done in remembrance of the 15 killed BDF members but was later revised to include others who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In the past, commemorations for fallen heroes had been observed in Gaborone, Thebephatshwa Air Base, Francistown and Selebi Phikwe barracks.

“The significance of Lesoma cannot be over emphasised as a location since it is the place where the earliest calamity during BDF infancy occurred as 15 members perished in a single event,” said Brigadier Joseph Seelo during this year’s commemoration.

He noted that it was befitting to bring the commemoration to the community of Lesoma at a time when the BDF wa celebrating their 40 years of existence this year.

By so doing, they decided to come and introspect on the sacrifice they made for the nation.

“From its formative days to date, the BDF has had to bear the pain of losing some of its members who for various reasons perished whilst in their line of duty,” said Brigadier Seelo.

He further stated that Batswana should always remember that the serene environment they currently enjoyed was and continued to be shaped by those who bled.

“A celebration of our fallen heroes’ valor will surely serve to revive the sense of commitment to serving members, their commitment to duty never wavered and for that I remain eternally proud. The pain was not only felt by them, their families and friends but it hit hard on the hearts of Batswana who have entrusted their lives with the BDF," he noted.

Brigadier Seelo praised the community for coming in large numbers to commemorate their fallen heroes, especially for a first time event.

The original 15 heroes were killed during the Lesoma ambush on February 27, 1978 by the Rhodesian Regime, hence commemorations honoring them on the same date every year since 2011. ENDS