22 May 2024

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has awarded medals to serving members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) in recognition of their service and conduct.

President Masisi awarded the deserving officers at a parade held at the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) in Mogoditshane yesterday.

Over 400 members of the BDF were bestowed with various medals including Duty Code Order (DCO), Pearl Jubilee Medal (PJM), Foreign Service Medal (FSM), Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and the Long Service Medal (LSO).

Other medal recipients were not present as they were on a tour of duty on border security, anti-poaching operations, SADC intervention in Mozambique and the United Nations stabilisation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

President Masisi bestowed 59 officers the DCO which is awarded to members of the administration and technical staff of the BDF for their devotion to duty.

Dr Masisi also awarded 20 officers the PJM which is recognised members of the BDF who had completed 30 years of honorable continuous service.

Minister of Defence and Security Mr Kagiso Mmusi awarded the DSM to 44 officers who completed not less than 20 years of continuous service with good conduct.The Long Service and Foreign Service medals were awarded by Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Mr Tumiso Rakgare and Ms Peggy Serame of finance ministry.

The awarding of medals parade preludes the 47^th BDF Day anniversary celebrations at the national stadium on Saturday.

President Dr Masisi will be the guest of honour at the event.ENDS