29 Aug 2022

Family wellness, mental and physical health is the necessity that points all military men and women to mission readiness and resilience for combat.

The Botswana Defence Force Commander of Ground Forces, Major General Joseph Seetso said this at the 2nd Brigade group wellness day held under the theme: Promoting Healthy lifestyle among the BDF community at Donga Camp in Francistown recently.

Major General Seetso said wellness in the force or any other work place should be a priority for any organisation aspiring to continue growing given its bearing on performance and productivity.

“Whatever we do or not do should always be preceeded by the question, whether it improves our wellbeing and that of the people we live with,” he said.

He said factors such as good exercise, rest and good nutrition, responsible use of alcohol, good financial management and good sexual behaviours should be at the fore front in  promoting healthy lifestyle for military personnel.

Sports and wellness, he said, accorded one the opportunity to refresh the mind while reaping the physical benefits to the body and heart.

Major General Seetso said the wellness day would promote exchange of information and knowledge, adding that wellness programmes could save the BDF millions of Pula in health care costs.

Describing the day, he said wellness was in line with operational readiness, military culture and healthy family relations.

“Eat nutritiously, stay hydrated, take supplements and get plenty of rest to enable the body to repair itself,” he said.

He further encouraged those who attended to intensively use stalls and all testing centres made available for HIV testing, for dental and eye testing, blood and diabetes check-ups and many others. 

The day kicked off at 5am with a long walk from Sector Command Base to Donga camp. 

Activities such as aerobics, beach volleyball, blindfold race and cycling were made available for all to participate.

ºCommander 2 Brigade group, Brigadier Kagiso Kgaswanyane said it was vital to ensure that employees did not neglect the mental wellness needed for conducive environment and increased productivity and delivery.   

Mc Maswe provided entertainment. Ends