22 Graduate From BDF Staff College

Frederick Kebadirets
Staff Writer | Monday December 7, 2009 00:00

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) auditorium in Mogoditshane last Thursday, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana (UB), Bojosi Otlhogile, said it is essential for the officers to practice what they learned at the college because if they do not do so, their knowledge will become a liability. Otlhogile told the graduates that they will be expected to take on higher responsibilities in the BDF. 'You are now equipped with the necessary skills to articulate procedure and your juniors, the army, and the nation at large will be looking at you to help defend the nation,' he said.

The graduates should be proud of their achievements and not to shy away from exercising authority. Otlhogile said it is UB's honour and privilege to be involved in the establishment and programming of DCSC, adding that the involvement of UB staff in this manner has drawn UB into issues of national interest. UB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the BDF in October in terms of which the two institutions will work together at DCSC.

College Commandant Brigadier Morake said the college has showed a lot of potential in its second year of operation by helping to give its students the tools they need for improving their overall knowledge in the military. 'The college promotes thinking and stretches students' minds,' Morake said. 'I am sure today you are emerging out as completely different individuals.'

The college is on the right track of providing top class military training and knowledge sharing to soldiers and that it is essential for soldiers to have capable and competent quality leadership to fully execute their duty of protecting the nation, hence the establishment of DCSC. Morake emphasised the importance of discipline in the army, saying it is what distinguishes it from a mob.

It is important to maintain high standards at the college to ensure growth in the future, he added. He thanked UB for playing a pivotal role in the establishment of the college and the university's continued assistance. He said the college currently does not have any international students due to limited facilities, but it will accommodate them once the facilities and infrastructure are in place. 

This was the second batch of graduates from the college after it started operating in 2006. The officers who undergo training at the college are selected every year by the Commandant on the basis of their competency and their area of specialisation in the army. A total of 22 officers graduated this year. Major Dumisani Ndzinge was awarded the best Commandant Research Paper (CRP) for demonstrating excellent skills in research. The course lasted 11 months.

Major General Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo warned the officers that with increased responsibility, they are now going to meet a lot of challenges they must be ready to face. 'You are going to meet a lot of challenges as you progress, and we now want you to apply the capabilities you showed during training,' he said.