BDF guests starved, embarrassed
Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Monday April 14, 2014 16:12
Bad audio system, confused seating arrangement and general protocol lapse on the part of the organisers spoilt what could have otherwise being a good day for Botswana Defence Force (BDF) graduates and their families at the Sir Seretse Khama barracks in Mogoditshane last Thursday.
While lucky ones found chairs to slot themselves in, others endured standing and at times were left clueless as to the proceedings. The guests had to strain their ears to capture very little of the presentation for the awards to four of the most talented privates.
At the end of the graduation ceremony the parents and relatives of the recruits were invited to gather at a certain hall to meet the graduates, while dignitaries were asked to proceed elsewhere.
However, protocol lapse left family members lost, not knowing where to go, with some following dignitaries only to be embarrassed by being turned away. There was no hall in sight for these supposedly important guests.
They were then directed to walk to a place a kilometre from the graduation centre, only to be met by what looked like school hostels and a pitched tent. There, a sound system was mounted outside the tent. The ordeal was not over, as the families had to stand about for more than 30 minutes before they were made to scramble for some few chairs that were being delivered by some soldiers.
Another hour passed with the guests waiting for the promised interaction with the graduates. Considerable amount of time elapsed as the soldiers had to go and surrender their guns before meeting family members. For the hungry guests who had been there for hours, it was only two hours after the ceremony that BDF members were seen offloading boxes of soft drinks. A while later, another team came with pots of meat and pap as the BDF frantically attempted to stage the graduation party.
Another shock was to follow when it was discovered that there were no plates to serve the guests on. The graduates had to dash about to source plates and spoons for their parents. Family members had to share plates as the recruits could only supply personal items to serve on.
In addition to the short supply of chairs, the plates and cutlery, there was a scramble for food which was in short supply. In fact the meat had run out before many of the guests in the long queue had been served.
Unfed and disappointed guests could be seen at around 12 noon hurrying to the bus back at the gate, where the BDF’s generosity and courtesy was flattering early on.
But then there were not buses to catch; the BDF had parked them and released the drivers. The guests were soon marching, like their sons earlier on, some five kilometres back to the gate on the scorching day on empty stomachs.
The embarrassment was not only felt by family members as whispers could be heard among the soldiers watching the spectacle. Some were heard saying organisation for this year’s graduation was the worst ever.