14 Apr 2019

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi on April 13 joined members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and other jovial Batswana in a colourful military parade to celebrate the army’s 42 years of existence.

The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, and the former president Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, also graced the occasion.

This year’s event continued to speak volumes of a disciplined, hardworking force ready to thwart any threats from external aggression.

With a motto: Thebe ya Sechaba, the BDF continued to display its commitment to protecting the nation through the annual BDF Day celebrations. 

It prides itself as amongst a handful of militaries in the continent that is truly homegrown.

Since its establishment in 1977, the BDF underwent a steady process of restructuring.

This assisted the BDF to keep up with the ever-changing tactics of modern warfare as was displayed in the motorcade and capability display.

It has evolved from a home grown defence force to a highly professional defence force that has all the capabilities to effectively defend the country.

With time it also developed from one Rifle Company to three fully fledged, strategically placed brigades with mechanized infantry battalions, amour and artillery, regiments and air assets.

Throughout its annual celebrations, the BDF has had an opportunity through its fly past to display that it has kept pace with modern warfare technology and has acquired vehicles of tactical mobility and C130 Hercules aircraft for strategic mobility. 

Sadly this year’s flypast did not include the high-speed freedom fighter jet fondly known as the F5.

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

Through numerous displays like the civilian participation drill, the BDF displayed its professional training standards, skill, and talent in the drill.

They also displayed dogs which are widely used in the day to day military duties such as drugs and narcotics searches and border patrols. 

The dogs displayed a high level of maturity in the obedience drill.

The number of people who attended seemed to be on the decline this year as a sizeable number of Batswana came through to share in the celebrations. 

One colorful display was flag bearers who are usually positioned at the centre of the guard. This is called the Colour party. 

They carry the National Colour and other flags appropriate to the event which includes a unit flag and formation flag.

The colour guard renders honours when the national anthem is being played when passing in review during a parade, the unit and formation flags salute by dipping or leaning the flag forward. 

The Guard of Honour which President Masisi inspected upon arrival is a ceremonial practice of honour.

It is mounted on occasions such as the BDF Day as a mark of respect. The BDF Band played ceremonial and marching music while the band maintained the troop’s morale by marching with sweet melodies being churned out. ENDS