21 May 2023

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi on Saturday joined members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and other Batswana in a colourful military parade to celebrate the army’s 46th year of existence.

Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane and Botswana’s third president Dr Festus Mogae were some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

 On arrival,  President Masisi took a lap of honour around the national stadium track accompanied by a 28 white horse mounted guard before inspecting a full guard of honour.

Through the annual BDF Day, the army continues to exhibit  capability to live up to its motto, ‘Thebe Ya Sechaba’ (shield of the nation). 

This years’ celebrations continued to speak volumes of a disciplined, hardworking force ready to thwart any threat.

Through displays such as the civilian participation drill, BDF shows its professional training standards, skill and talent.

One colourful display involves flag bearers who are usually positioned at the centre of the guard. This is called the colour party. 

They carry the national colours and others appropriate to the event including the presidential, unit and formation flags.

The colour party is mounted on occasions such as BDF Day as a mark of respect. 

Also on the day, spectators  are entertained with  ceremonial and marching music churned out by BDF Band during events such as BDF Day commemorations.

Although the number of spectators seems to be declining,  a sizeable crowd was in attendance at this year’s event.

Priding itself in being among Africa’s few truly home grown military outfits, BDF has since its establishment in 1977, evolving from the Police Mobile Unit,  undergone a steady process of restructuring.

The last decade,  2007-2017, has seen the army establishing a Defence Command and Staff College, adopting a brigade grouping structure, enrolling female non-commissioned officers and introducing a special entrant officer cadet programme.

Female officers were first inducted into the BDF rank and file in 2007 while 2015 saw inclusion of the first ever female recruit privates. 

The college was established in 2012 to provide professional military and academic education, training and development.

In its 46 years of existence,  the BDF has effectively restored law and order where instability in neighbouring countries posed a threat to internal peace and security, the latest being in Mozambique.

 BDF is taking part in the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) to help quell insurgency in the country deemed a threat to peace and stability in the whole of Southern Africa.

The then fledgling army suffered what could be termed a devastating blow on February 27, 1978 when 15 of its members were killed in an ambush by the Rhodesian Armed Forces at the Lesoma Sand Ridge. Ends