DCSC Graduates BDF, SADC staff personnel

Kaone Maje | Monday December 10, 2018 10:47

 

In an effort to nurture bilateral relations between Southern African Development Community countries, the program enrolled defence force personnel from four countries namely; Zambia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa who studied four key modules. Foundation, War Fighting, Military Operations Other Than War (MMOTW) and the Final Exercise modules form the curriculum of the annual based college that was enacted in 2008.

DCSC collaborated with Zambia Defence Services Command, South African National War College, and the latest entrant Zimbabwe Staff College to highlight and illuminate the dynamics and complexities of Peace Support Operations in a multinational interagency environment. 

Brigadier Papadi Monnatlhare, Commandant of DCSC emphasized on the fruitfulness of military to military cooperation as a critical building block for regional integration, and the pursuit for international peace and security. “In this connection, I wish to express our profound appreciation to sister Defence Forces in the region for having confidence in the DCSC as an institution of repute they continue to entrust their officer development with”, Commandant Monnatlhare said.

“The establishment of DCSC in 2008 saved government money that was spent in foreign staff colleges to equip and train its personnel. Training officers locally is beneficial because it preserves and promotes the BDF doctrines”, said His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi adding that the programme has adequately equipped officers with the requisite skills and competencies to enable them to cope well with a full spectrum of operations in a volatile, uncertain and complex environment.

Dr Masisi further said that it is important for the BDF to remain relevant and focused through education and training that address realities, challenges and threats in its operating environment, and be prepared at all times for the worst case scenarios and for every contingency. According to the president, some of the cross border challenges that this country faces as a country include poaching, which threatens the tourism sector and wildlife industry. Staff college instructors were further urged by the Commander-In-Chief to dedicate significant efforts in research and development in order to prepare for contemporary security threats that lie ahead.

This program (DCSC) recognizes the conventional role of the military, as well as appreciating the changing nature of conflicts, especially the “Three Block War” where militaries fight conventionally in one part of the country, engage in peace support operations on the other side, at the same time taking part in other humanitarianism activities in other parts of the country.

The college’s aspirations to become a world-class institution have compelled them to undertake a number of geo-strategic tours annually, Rwanda and Kenya being the latest. The aim of the graduation was to build a mutual relationship between African Staff and War Colleges and also to find African solutions for African problems.

From the total graduates, two are non-military students under employ of Office of the President. H.E Dr Masisi awarded Major F.M Mulonda of Zambian Defence Force the Best Commandant Research Paper while Major B Godie received an award for Best Overall Performer.