Patrick Chitumba and Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has applauded the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for mainstreaming gender equality within its rank and file, which has seen more females being recruited to the uniformed services.
Such a bold step has enabled the defence forces to tap into the valuable contributions women can make to the country’s defence, peace, and security initiatives, said the President.
He was addressing members of the uniformed forces, officer cadets, Cabinet ministers and Government officials at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) as he presided over the Commissioning Parade of the Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/40/23.
The course consisted of 202 cadets made up of 148 male and 54 female officers. The ROCC 3/40/23 pass out was 40th course to graduate at the Academy since 1980.
“It is praiseworthy that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has taken bold strides to raise the number of female officer cadets enrolled at our strategic military institutions.
“By so doing, you are tapping the inherent potential of women to also contribute to our national defence, peace and security effort. Well done,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the ROCC remains one of the most physically and mentally demanding military courses, enabling graduates to deal with demands of the complex modern battlefields.
President Mnangagwa said yesterday’s graduation ceremony was yet another demonstration by the ZDF to continually inject new officer corps into the forces that are well equipped to play their part in safe-guarding the hard-won Independence, freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“About 21 months ago, these young men and women before us, commenced an extremely demanding journey to become well trained, competent and professional officers within the ZDF.
“From the initial enrolment of 250 candidates, drawn from the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe and two from Umbutho Eswatini Defence Force, these 202 graduates, including 54 females and 148 males, made the grade,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said two officer cadets from the graduating course were seconded for Cadet Course Training in the Republic of Mozambique.
“On a solemn note, we remember Officer Cadet Joe Prosper Muzondo who passed on after the commencement of training. May His Soul Rest in Peace.
“These young officers diligently undertook the course programme, which was divided into three phases being, basic military training,conventional warfare and low intensity operations,” said President Mnangagwa.
The training covered a range of subjects that included Skill at Arms; Fieldcraft; Command and Leadership; Military Law; Law of Armed Conflict and Civil Military Relations, among others.
“These set a solid foundation of military knowledge and skills, inculcating officer cadets with the requisite character and abilities to lead in the combat environment as well as during peacetime,” said the President.
Given the emerging centrality of technology in modern warfare, President Mnangagwa challenged the academy to deliberately expose officer cadets to new fields, including Artificial Intelligence and how these impact the defence and security sector.
He said the joint training of officer cadets, by the Zimbabwe Military Academy of officers from sister Republics in the region was commendable.
“Such collaboration must be strengthened and scaled up as it aids in the interoperability among Defence Forces in our region, especially in the context of the SADC Mutual Defence Pact,” said President Mnangagwa.
“To this end, the presence of graduates from the Kingdom of Eswatini at this 40th Commissioning Parade of the Regular Officer Cadet Course is applauded. It reflects the role of institutions of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as effective tools for our country’s military diplomatic endeavours.”
President Mnangagwa said under the same spirit of training officers from sister Republics, officers from the South African National Defence Forces were part of Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/42/24 that is underway.
“This not only affirms the quality and depth of programmes offered by the ZDF but resonates with the long-standing unity of the peoples of SADC, including in the defence and security sector,” he said.
“This dates back to the days when we fought against racist colonialism, oppression and apartheid, for the freedom and independence of our respective countries.”
President Mnangagwa also called upon the younger officer corps, as well as service men and women across SADC defence forces to continue guarding jealously the rich liberation heritage of cooperation and unwavering solidarity.
“You, the new crop in our militaries, have the weighty duty to be guarantors of regional peace and security. Never take this lightly and remain guided by our long standing regional mantra, ‘an injury to one, is an injury to all’,” he said.
The President noted the ongoing efforts by the ZDF to improve the ZMA as a centre of military excellence with the introduction of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Military Science and Leadership, which officer cadets now undertake concurrently, with the military phase of training.
“It’s my expectation that programmes such as this will ensure that cadets emerge from training as well-rounded professional officers. They must be equipped for an ever-evolving national and global arena, which exerts intricate pressures on defence and security as well as the theatre of war,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said under the Second Republic, education and skills development extend beyond mere paper qualifications to positively impact the broader national developmental agenda.
In this case, President Mnangagwa said programmes offered by the ZDF should enhance and complement national defence and security architecture and systems.
“The ZDF has the sacred duty to uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe. To inculcate this imperative, anchored by the spirit and letter of Section 212 of the Constitution, the Civil Military Relations curriculum, has become a critical cog in the cadet course,” said the President.
“This is helping to nurture and deepen the understanding of national ethos, values and objectives, which are the pillars of our strong state.”
He commended the visit by officer cadets to liberation war sites, locally and in the region such as Kamungoma Battle Site in Gutu and Freedom Camp Shrines in Zambia, which serve as a reminder of the selfless sacrifices made by veterans of the liberation struggle to attain the freedom and independence, which Zimbabweans enjoy today.
“This history and the protracted war for our independence demonstrates the resilience and bravery of our people and should inspire future generations to always guard, protect and defend our motherland, Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.
Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Minister of Energy and Power Development July Moyo and the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, also attended the graduation ceremony.
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