31 May 2018

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) director general - support services, Major General Mpho Mophuting has implored recruits to prioritise their self-development in order to enhance their skills and competencies.

Giving a keynote address at the pass out parade for intake 73 of 2017/18 in Pandamatenga on May 30, Maj. Gen. Mophuting said BDF had developed and certified them to provide security and common defense to the nation, adding that it should now be their priority to enhance the acquired skills and competencies.

He said where the BDF took the lead in their development, they should go an extra mile to be the best that they could be.

Maj. Gen. Mophuting said membership of the military profession was earned and maintained through periodic recertification in required competencies and commitment at both individual and organisational levels.

He urged the recruit privates to effectively and ethically apply combat power.

Maj. Gen. Mophuting commended the recruit privates for the hard work and sacrifices they made to acquire the basic skills of a professional soldier and for showcasing their desire and commitment to serve and protect the nation.

“That by itself cannot be taken lightly because it says a lot about an individual who throws himself or herself onto an unknown future and surrender some of his or her freedoms in response to the call of duty,” he said. 

He challenged them to continue to uphold BDF values of duty, discipline, esprit de corps, integrity and courage, among others, which are hinged in the foundation of Botho.

He noted that the commitment to the values is not determined by the current environment, but the inner self and character that made them choose the profession. 

“BDF soldiers’ commitment to duty 40 years ago cannot be said to have been less than your commitment to duty today and it is only your character that will determine your commitment to share the ideals and aspirations of the organisation,” he said.

He assured the recruits that the BDF would do all it could to ease their entry and development into the elite group that carried Thebe Ya Sechaba and would provide a secure environment that would facilitate the needed sustainable development and prosperity of the country.

He reminded the recruits of the threat posed by HIV/AIDS and that the scourge continued to draw deep into the country’s resources.

Meanwhile, 349 recruits graduated, 68 of whom were women.

Recruit Private Katlego Molelo was given an award for being the best in military subjects and the best overall student.

Recruit Privates Boitshoko Kelebeletse, Alvin Charles and Janie Samasako were awarded for best in skill at arms, best in physical training and endurance as well as best in drill respectively. ENDS