06 Dec 2017

It has become a norm for Botswana Defense Force (BDF) to host Honours and Awards Ceremony every year to appreciate its members on their positive contribution to the organisation and the nation at large.

The organisation hosted their 10th session of the event recently at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks.

Giving a keynote address at the ceremony, director general - Support Services, Major General Mpho Mophuting extended his gratitude to their external stakeholders who contributed towards the event since its inception and had shown unending support throughout the years.

Maj. Gen. Mophuting stated that appreciation was a fundamental need and that the nominees should understand that people responded to appreciation expressed through recognition of their good work because it confirmed that their work was valued.

He said praise and recognition were essential to an outstanding workplace environment.

Maj. Gen. Mophuting said people felt the need to be recognised as an individual or members of a group and to feel a sense of achievement for work well done or even for a valiant effort.

“In my eyes, to receive an award and to be counted among the best of a group makes one a hero in the truest sense of the word,” he said.

He indicated that military profession dictated that they served first and foremost the nation and for the benefit of others.

The vast majority of whom they served, he said, would never know or readily appreciate the sacrifices they were willing to make for their good.

He said he believed all nominees had one thing in common, a desire to serve and to be a part of something significantly important.

He mentioned how their collective commitment had enabled them over the last 40 years to build the organisation into what it is today.

“The nominees have dedicated themselves to making this organisation and the country a better, safer and more peaceful place now and for future generations,” he said.

Moreover, he said it had to be underscored that they had a great privilege and even greater responsibility of serving the nation at a critical time, confronting some of the most demanding security challenges in history.

Maj. Gen. Mophuting sated how they dedicated themselves selflessly to overcome contemporary challenges as they affected not only this country’s freedom, but also the freedom of millions of other men and women the world over.

He said they could buy all sorts of equipment and technology in the world, but none of those would mean a thing without the right people to utilise them.

He stated that the nominees had desirable loyalty because they had been making meaningful contribution to the professional growth of the organisation in the best interest of the army and the nation without regard to personal consequences.

“It is common knowledge that upholding certain sacrifices in the interest of the organisation and the nation is not simple,” he said.

He acknowledged that committing to such services, served as a platform through which others could be encouraged, re-inforce good behaviour and build confidence.

Maj. Gen. Mophuting said the question nominees must ask themselves was how they would continue to develop and sharpen their leadership skills in the coming years and, how they would inspire these qualities in those under their charge or command in order to meet future challenges.

He indicated that the answers to those questions were key in preserving the organisation’s legacy and ensuring readiness in the future.

“We inherited a rich history and heritage and we are obliged to carry that forward.

Further, we need to instill that pride in all our counterparts and those we interact with,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Mophuting said nominated member of the defense force were without doubt heroes others could follow with pride.

He said there could only be one winner for each category, but advised those who did not make it not to despair, but rather continue displaying the best of their image and unwavering performance in their duty stations.

For his part, the Commander of Eastern Military Garrison, Colonel Sidney Molomo said the significance of the ceremony was in line with the best practices of performance management system whereby they recognised and appreciated the hard work of both uniformed and non-uniformed men and women of the defence force geared towards efficient organisational performance.

He stated that without a performance management process that focused on all levels of employees, it was unlikely that an organisation could find competitive advantage through its talent and people.

Awardees received P500 cash vouchers from Letshego, hampers from Mascom Wireless consisting of a cellphone and Mascom merchandise, loaded Leokwane cards to fuel at Vivo Energy Botswana and vouchers to spend the night at the Grand Palm Hotel for two.

Nominees who did not make it were given Mascom hampers and Leokwane cards from Vivo Energy loaded with P250 for fuel as consolation prizes.

The individual awards had 57 categories, group awards consisted of two categories, facility awards had three categories while club awards with two categories. BOPA