Cynthia Thanda

TPA Features Writer

Botswana Defence Force is not only concerned with protecting citizens from aggressors, but it also occasionally shows compassion for the less privileged in society.

This display of generosity and charity was in full display Tuesday 24^th of May 2022 in the village of Struizendam in the Kgalagadi District, some 847km from the capital city, Gaborone, where the BDF had travelled to hand over an all-furnished house to a former soldier, Lance Corporal Jacobus Jan Matthys.

Lance Corporal Jacobus Jan Matthys served in the Botswana Defence Force for a period of fourteen years until he separated in 2005.

While in active service, he was part of the Botswana contingent assigned for operational deployment to the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation in Somalia in 1993 to bring peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

Whilst on duty Lance Corporal Matthys stepped on a landmine that blew both his legs off. He now used prosthetic legs and walks with the help of crutches. The injury led to him separating from the force and having to start a completely new life in which he did not know where his next meal would come from.

But all this while the BDF, through its corporate social responsibility was watching Matthys’ unbearable living conditions and finally decided to extend a helping hand.

Giving an overview of how the project was conceived, Project Manager Mosimanegape Molale explained that the project had been commissioned by the Commander of the Botswana Defence Force Lt. Gen Placid Diratsagae Segokgo, as an outreach project for Jacobus Matthys.

When commissioning the project, the Commander made a special call which inspired all BDF members including the BDF Women’s Club as well as the corporate society, to make voluntary contributions.

The initial objective was to raise P600 000 to build a three en-suite bedroom house. However, the contributions received only amounted to P325 000 falling far below the BDF’s target.

That being the case, the BDF High Command took a decision for the project to be re-scoped to fall within the range of accumulated funds of P325 000. The architecture was done with the re-scoping and house plan drawings were approved paving way for the construction to start in earnest.

Struizendam is 847km from the capital city, Gaborone hence the building of such a project was a mammoth task. However, the project succeeded because the community eagerly bought into it.

The BDF engaged local transporters to deliver goods from Tsabong to Struizendam resulting in additional costs due to the long distances. Apart from financial challenges, they also encountered an inconsistent supply of water and a lack of appropriate specialized construction equipment like excavators.

The prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was also a contributing factor as the project had to be halted only to resume after the end of the state of emergency and when it was safe to do so.

“To undertake a task of this magnitude requires careful planning to ensure prudent use of resources. We mobilised personnel from various sponsor units to set up a project team that comprised all required expertise for project management,” Molale explained.

Speaking at the Project Matthys handover ceremony in Struizendam Village, the Commander of the Botswana Defence Force Lieutenant General Diratsagae Placid Segokgo said that the handover of a house to someone in need is a celebration of the goodness of Batswana’s collective hearts.

“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.

“Jacobus Matthys was one of the brave men who left his loved ones and responded to the national call to be our ambassador in our national quest to restore peace among Somalis and the peaceful co-existence of Somalia and her international neighbours and the world at large,” Lt. Gen Segokgo said.

He stated that the BDF remains highly indebted to Matthys for the immense service to Botswana and the BDF. He commended all BDF members for the invaluable sense of humility, compassion and tolerance towards their former colleague who did them proud when he was serving.

The man of the moment, Lance Corporal Jacobus Matthys expressed gratitude towards the BDF.

“I want to thank the Almighty God, the Botswana Defence Force from the Commander to the last junior for the contributions they made by building this well-developed house which will make my life easier and hope that the Botswana Defence Force will continue to support me and not forsake me. I want to thank the section which had been building the house for me,” he said.

The Chairperson Kgalagadi District Council Hon. Hendricks Jacobs ended the ceremony by thanking the BDF for finally offering assistance to a man who was once and is still their own. He parted with a plea for the BDF to sponsor Matthys with monthly groceries.

The house is well furnished with a kitchen filled with food, a living room with furniture, an inside toilet, a bathroom and two bedrooms.