12 Oct 2026

The Military College under the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has donated P70, 000 worth of school uniform, shoes and classroom furniture to Sekokwe settlement in the North East District. The donation was made by Officer Cadet Course Class 47 of 2026 as part of a combined community outreach and wellness day held at Sekokwe recently.

As part of their corporate social responsibility, the officer cadets contributed school uniform hampers to school-going children and refurbished a classroom in the local community centre, aiming to restore motivation towards learning.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Commandant of the Military College, Brigadier George Bogatsu, emphasised that the initiative reflected a strong partnership between the BDF and the public.  He expressed gratitude to village leadership and residents for welcoming the BDF into their community, describing the event as a demonstration of cooperation and mutual support.

He stated that the Military College must not exist in isolation, but should continually seek opportunities to contribute positively to society, share knowledge, promote healthy living and support initiatives that improved quality of life.

He added that the institution’s responsibility extended beyond preparing officers for military command to developing leaders who understood and valued service to society.  He stressed that no child should feel limited by their circumstances, thus called on parents, institutions and government to work together to remove barriers to education.

Reflecting on the event’s theme, My Health, My Responsibility, Brig. Bogatsu noted that a healthy population was crucial to national development. “Botswana is increasingly confronted by health challenges including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and other lifestyle-related conditions, which have serious consequences on individuals, families, workplaces and the wider economy,” he said.

He urged community members to cultivate healthy habits such as eating well, remaining physically active, attending regular health screenings and seeking medical attention early, as prevention was often better and less costly than treatment.

Addressing broader social issues, Brig. Bogatsu warned that alcohol and drug abuse, saying that it destroyed families, interfered with education and employment and contributed to crime and violence. He also highlighted the alarming issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“Gender-Based Violence is not a private matter to be ignored or tolerated, but a serious social problem that undermines human dignity and destroys the foundation of healthy families,” he said. Principal adult education officer at the Out-of-School Education and Training (OSET) Learning Centre thanked the Military College and local leadership.

Established in 2022 with just 17 learners, the Sekokwe centre has grown to accommodate 42 learners comprising 22 girls and 20 boys.  The facility offers second chance for children outside the formal education system, building their confidence and ensuring access to learning.

However, the officer highlighted several critical challenges, including high dropout rates, child neglect, lack of basic furniture and shortage of teaching materials. She urged stakeholders to assist with learning materials and classroom infrastructure, expressing the community’s ultimate wish to see the centre transformed into a formal public school.

Kgosi Oganne Polson of Matshelagabedi thanked the military for bringing free health screenings and services directly to the community. He noted that the outreach theme aligned with the medical and material support provided to Sekokwe residents. ENDS