20 Apr 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama on Wednesday awarded the historic and posthumous Thebe Ya Sechaba (TYS) medals to beneficiaries of the deceased members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).

A total of 19 deceased officers were recognised with the medal, which has never been awarded since the inception of the BDF 40 years ago.

The first recipient of the medal was the late Major Gaolathe Tiro, who died in 2007 in Dafur, Sudan after a rebel attack. 

Lance Corporal Patrick Marope and Private Christopher Mphetlho died in local anti-poaching operations in 1990 and 2011 respectively, while Private Bame Mmatli passed on during a border patrol a year after the inception of the BDF.

The rest of the recipients of the TYS are the 15 BDF members who died following the infamous Rhodesian incursion known as the Lesoma Ambush.

The TYS medal is awarded to legal beneficiaries of the deceased members who died in the line of duty, but precludes death as a result of accident, sickness or natural causes.

President Khama awarded the Duty Code Order to 81 members of the administration and technical staff of the BDF for their devotion to duty.

He also awarded the Commanders Commissioned Formation of the Year award, which went to the BDF Headquarters Formation.

Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi awarded the Pearl Jubilee Medal to members who completed 30 years of honourable service in the BDF.

Mr Masisi also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

He was accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi, who helped award the Long Service Order (LSO) to other ranks.

Minister of Youth Empowerenment, Sport And Culture Development, Mr Thapelo Olopeng was accompanied by the Commander of Ground Forces Command to award the LSO medals to other officers. BOPA