President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi joined members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and other Batswana on Saturday in a vibrant military parade celebrating the armys 47th anniversary.
Vice President Mr. Slumber Tsogwane also attended the event, which attracted a diverse crowd to the national stadium.
A standout moment of the celebration was when BDF Commander Lt. Gen. Placid Segokgo honored social media sensation and Ramotswa native Mr. Orapeleng Delu Kwatle, known affectionately as "General Nankase." General Nankase gained widespread recognition for his viral video showcasing his knowledge of BDFs high command, including Air Arm Commander Major General Hendrick Rakgantswana.
Upon arrival, President Masisi took a lap of honor around the stadium track, accompanied by a 30-member white horse-mounted guard, before inspecting a full guard of honor.
The annual BDF Day continues to demonstrate the army's ability to live up to its motto, Thebe Ya Sechaba (shield of the nation). This years celebration, themed "Transforming the Military for a Culture of High Performance in Service Delivery Through Mindset Change," highlighted the BDF's disciplined and hardworking nature.
The day's events included a civilian participation drill, showcasing BDF's professional training standards, skill, and talent. A colorful display featured the color party, flag bearers positioned at the center of the guard carrying national, presidential, unit, and formation flags, mounted as a mark of respect.
Spectators were also entertained by the BDF Band, performing ceremonial and marching music composed by members such as Swabisa Saatane and A reyeng bosoleng.
Since its establishment in 1977, evolving from the Police Mobile Unit, the BDF has prided itself on being one of Africas truly homegrown military outfits. The strategic objective now is to embark on transformative growth, guided by a mindset change strategy aimed at fostering a high-performance culture within the organization.