Life after army: BDF houses handicapped former soldier
Pini Bothoko | Monday May 30, 2022 06:00
It was an emotional day here as the amputated soldier could not believe the compassionate gesture from his former work mates as he now owns a modern house with fully furnished rooms.
The property was on Tuesday presented to the joyful Matthys family, courtesy of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
The army’s good gesture started years ago after Matthys’ condition caught the attention of BDF commander, Placid Segokgo. Matthys’ plight forced his former colleagues in Mogoditshane and Glen Valley BDF camps, through their social responsibility initiative, to offer a helping hand and build him a modern house.
Then, the army discovered that Matthys was staying in a one-roomed structure with his family and it then raised funds to build him a two-bed roomed house complete with a kitchen, en suite bathroom and toilet and installed with water and electricity.
Handing over the house, BDF commander, Segokgo said constructing a modern house in a far flung area required a lot of money and they were forced to engage stakeholders who offered donations in an attempt to help Matthys.
Segokgo was happy that they managed to mobilise donations in order to give Matthys dignity by providing him with a basic need. He applauded the army for their donations stating that it was not because they were resourced, but that they were dedicated to assisting one of their own.
He stated that their gesture reflects on their moral obligation of compassion, empathy and unity that forms part of the bedrock of national values applauding soldiers for a good job imploring them to continue with their good gesture.
“The BDF’s values are an enactment or subset of our national principles and values. Today we see members of the BDF displaying courteousness, politeness and humanness as ingredients of Botho. Your cohesion as a force has been witnessed by single mindedness towards contributing to the success of this extraordinary project,” Segokgo said.
He added that Matthys formed a contingent of the gallant forces that were deployed to Somalia in 1993, as part of those who responded to the national call to defend the country’s national interests and its international obligations to global peace.
Segokgo further revealed that Matthys was part of those who answered the call to protect the international human rights and the vulnerable in Somalia within the ambit of a peace keeping operation.
“He was one of those brave men who left his loved ones and responded to the national calling to restore peace amongst Somalis and the peaceful co-existence of Somalia and her international neighbours,” he said.
“Matthys served diligently in this mission and due to circumstances beyond his control, he fall victim of unfortunate injury that left him handicapped.”
He stated that Matthys’ service has touched and changed so many lives hence honoured to reflect on his misfortunes because as painful as it is, his heroics are bravery remains within their memory.
“We do not celebrate the injury but rather the gift God had given us in his survival and we highlight the assertions that it would not only happen out of bad luck,” Segokgo said.
“Matthys, for your immense service to Botswana we remain highly indebted to you, today as we are gathered here we do not only want to show our national gratitude to you, we also want to show our appreciation to your service as one of us and we can only show that by making sure we grant you a decent place to live.”
Matthys could not contain his happiness as he thanked the army for building him a modern house.
“I joined the army back in 1991 and in 1993 I was deployed to Somalia on a peacemaking mission and fell victim of unfortunate injury that left me handicapped. I thank my former colleagues for their good gesture. Continue helping those in need like me," Matthys said.
Struizendam Kgosi, Issac Titus applauded the army for the good gesture pointing out how disappointed and hurt he was when BDF truck transported Matthys’ belongings to a one-roomed house.
“Neke utlwile botlhoko ha truck ya BDF e tlisa dilwana tsaga Matthys ke ipotsa gore ke eng BDF e latlha motho jaaka ntša despite serving the country in Somalia where he got injured and lost both of his legs. However, I am happy that you remembered him, established and responded to one of his basic needs,” Titus said.