29 Apr 2018

President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi joined multitudes of Batswana who flocked the National stadium on April 28 to revel with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) on its 41st anniversary.

Also in attendance were former presidents, Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama and Dr Festus Mogae, amongst other dignitaries.

However, a dark cloud lingered over the usual celebratory mood of Batswana who came through owing to an unfortunate incident that happened a day before BDF day festivities unfolded.

A pilot lost his life in a BF5 fighter aircraft crash which occurred at the Gaborone Golf course during the celebration rehearsals.

In a befitting send off to their partner two fighter jets displayed a true reflection of esprit de corps and courage by taking to the skies in what many believed was the final fly past salute to their departed teammate.

In the midst of facing a torrid mourning period, they displayed a strong sense of courage to shrug off the pain without fear.

The presence of the two fighter jets brought life to the good crowd who filled the stadium.

The arrival of President Masisi on a black official Land Rover added momentum to an already electrifying atmosphere.

Mr Masisi took a historic lap for the first time as Commander-In-Chief of the BDF and that was met by a thunderous applause from the crowd.

To the south of the National Stadium, two Bell 412 helicopters flew past in a presidential salute.

This year’s celebrations continued to speak volumes of a disciplined, hardworking and patriotic fervor displayed by men and women of a force aimed at safe guarding Botswana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

All that was displayed in mock battles, horse displays, dog displays and obstacle assault course, amongst other events lined up for the day.

The military motorcade in a way displayed how BDF had kept up with the ever-changing tactics of modern warfare and how it had evolved from a home grown defence force to a highly professional entity that had all the capabilities to effectively defend the country.

On a day like this one, the BDF has had an opportunity, through its aircraft fly past to display that it had kept pace with modern warfare technology and had acquired vehicles of tactical mobility and C130 Hercules aircraft for strategic mobility.

In addition, BDF had some of the latest equipment for air defence, mechanised forces, special forces and infantry.

The BDF was formed by an Act of Parliament on April 14, 1977, eleven years after the country gained independence from Britain. ENDS