12 Dec 2023

Government is committed to addressing the critical accommodation challenges at the Botswana Defence Force, Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi has said.

Speaking at the Sarona II housing project ground-breaking ceremony, Mr Mmusi said the project epitomised government desire to improve the welfare of the army personnel, thus expressed gratitude to the major stakeholder being the BDF and RIC  Development Botswana.

He said the project stood as a shining example of the positive outcomes public-private partnerships could yield if properly harnessed as BDF and RIC Botswana had made the Sarona II project a reality.

Minister Mmusi said as the sponsor of the project, government had set clear objectives of utmost importance to nation’s security and wellbeing to alleviate soldiers accommodation woes through the construction of 408 Sarona II residential accommodation units.

“The Sarona II Project embodies our commitment to the men and women in uniform, an obligation to strengthening defence capabilities to ensure national security, I thus as the Minister of Defence and Security, assure you that I will personally leave no stone unturned in ensuring a successful completion of this project within the stipulated time frame,” Minister  Mmusi said.

The project, he said, aimed to alleviate accommodation shortage faced by the country’s dedicated soldiers.

“This project resonates with our belief that our soldiers should not be concerned and distracted by inadequate housing while discharging their duties of protecting and safeguarding our beloved nation, therefore our brave men and women in uniform deserve nothing less than safe, comfortable and modern living spaces that will allow them to recharge, rest and prepare to fulfil their worthy duties,” he said.

Minister Mmusi said the wellbeing and morale of the soldiers played a crucial role in their operational readiness and effectiveness, thus by providing suitable accommodation, ‘we create an environment where our personnel can thrive, focus and be equipped with the physical and mental strength necessary to provide the security our nation deserves’.

 Furthermore, he said the project would, without doubt, attract and retain the right personnel within the BDF, saying ‘we are in an era where competition for talent and skilled individuals is fierce and by offering modern, quality housing, we convey a clear message to potential recruits and current members’.He said joining the army should, in the future, be seen as an attractive and rewarding opportunity for those who wish to serve their country.

Similarly, BDF’s Brigadier Paul Sharp stated that the ground-breaking ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that held immense promise and potential for the defence force and the nation at large.

Brig. Sharp commended government for having the soldiers wellfare at heart, adding that  the Sarona II project was a significant milestone towards improving the soldier’s wellbeing and motivating them to effectively execute  their daily chores. ENDS