The upper green band represents the traditional
military green uniform;
The lower green band represents the bush environment
that soldiers are expected to operate in;
The red band represents the blood of members of the
BDF that have been and will be shed and sacrificed in the defence of the
nation;
The two white stripes represent peace. The
significance of them being on either side of the red band is to indicate the
effort of the BDF that will be channelised in containing and preventing
bloodshed through deterrence;
The width and direction of all colour bands and
stripes is a duplication of the Botswana National Flag;
The coat of arms of the BDF occupies a place in the
centre of the flag. The inner circle with the letters BDF represents
the entire nation, the people, infrastructure, and the country. The
lettering BDF represents the organisation’s commitment to defend the nation;
The outer ring with the motto “Thebe ya Sechaba”
represents the shield that the BDF casts around the nation for its
protection;
The crossed swords represent all types of weapons
used to defend the nation; and
The national coat of arms that sits on the top of the
outer ring represents the authority of the Constitution and the Government
over the functions of the BDF.
Image by Jens Pattke,
17 May 2012
