15 Apr 2019

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) recently conducted an exercise as part of its ongoing six-week basic combat swimming course at Shashe Dam.

Speaking during the demonstration, which included soldiers simulating patrols on water and swimming across swampy areas, the Two Brigade Group Commander, Brigadier Joseph Seelo said the course was necessitated by the fact that the army had a duty to protect sovereignty of the country on air, ground, water and cyberspace.

Brigadier Seelo also noted that in the past, some soldiers drowned and this challenged them to ensure that every soldier was capacitated and equipped to operate in all conditions.

The combat swimming course, he highlighted, was also a way of building the physical endurance of the armed forces personnel.

He said they chose Shashe Dam to simulate the terrain that soldiers were likely to be deployed to in future operations.

BDF, he said, was involved in anti-poaching operations in the Chobe and Ngamiland and also assisted during flooding around the country.

Northern areas, Brigadier Seelo said, consisted water dominated by riverine areas, which sometimes calls for soldiers who can operate in aquatic conditions during patrols.

“We hope this course will equip our men and women to be ready to operate in areas such as Kwando and Linyanti. This course is also helpful as it assists us to complement our team of scuba divers,” he added.

Brigadier Seelo said though there were minor hiccups, the course was progressing well and soldiers were now able to do simulation patrols and swim in a depth of 12 metres.

He said female soldiers were also part of the maiden combat swimming course and gave a good account of themselves during the training that would end on Thursday.

The course instructor, Captain Gomolemo Moeletsi, explained that some of the course participants, did not have any swimming skills before, but they had progressed well.

He explained that units identified their skills needs and recommended soldiers to be part of the course.

He said one of the objectives of the course was to eliminate water phobia and build the confidence of soldiers so that they could effectively operate in the water, especially during anti-poaching operations.

“We know that many people are not comfortable operating in water, therefore, the first task was to eliminate the shock and then we progressed to teach them how to swim,” Captain Moeletsi highlighted.

He added that it was important for servicemen to possess combat swimming skills and remain fearless in the face of water animals such as hippos which may cause panic.

Captain Moeletsi said if the soldiers did not possess skills to tackle the situation, it put them in danger.

He said during the course, the soldiers were subjected to harsh conditions, especially cold water temperatures, waves and turbulence, adding that it was a physical and demanding exercise.

Captain Moeletsi said the training offered real life experiences such as navigating across rivers. ENDS