By Norman Dururu
Gweru, (New Ziana)– The Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Emmerson Mnangagwa today commissioned 202 officer cadets at the Zimbabwe Military Academy during its 40th commissioning parade, marking the successful completion of a rigorous 21-month training programme.
The commissioned cadets include 54 women and 148 men. Of these, 157 are from the Zimbabwe National Army and 43 from the Air Force of Zimbabwe.
Two cadets are from the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force of the Kingdom of Eswatini, while another two ZNA officer cadets who undertook training in Mozambique also graduated in that country.
Six cadets were recognised for outstanding performance. Danmore Matsenuke was named Best Student in Military Training, with Shingai Kasambarare and Collen Vheremu receiving runner-up awards.
Kasambarare, along with Patricia Dehwa and Muhammed Komboni, also received awards for a diploma done in collaboration with the Midlands State University.
The Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/40/23 began on September 18, 2023, with an initial intake of 250 cadets, comprising 73 females and 177 males.
A total of 48 trainees, 19 females and 29 males dropped out during the training programme.
President Mnangagwa hailed the regional collaboration, saying it promotes inter-operability among defence forces, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact.
He noted that the presence of cadets from Eswatini and the South African National Defence Force in the course underway reflects the ZDF’s growing role in regional military diplomacy.
“This not only affirms the quality and depth of programmes offered by the ZDF, but also resonates with the long-standing unity among the people of SADC, particularly in the defence and security sector. This unity dates back to the struggle against colonialism, oppression and apartheid,” he said.
President Mnangagwa urged SADC defence forces to continue safeguarding the region’s liberation legacy and maintaining peace and security.
“As ZDF and sister defence forces represented here, I challenge you to jealously guard the peace and security of our region toward silencing the guns on the African continent. This is key to achieving our collective development goals and the Africa we want,” he said.
He commended ongoing improvements at the ZMA, including the introduction of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Military Science and Leadership, aimed at producing well-rounded professional officers.
The Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces also applauded efforts to increase female participation in the military.
“By doing so, you are tapping into the immense potential of women to contribute meaningfully to national defence, peace and security,” he said.
The cadets’ course was divided into three phases: basic military training, conventional warfare, and low-intensity operations, covering a wide range of subjects.
President Mnangagwa stressed the need to integrate modern technologies into training, including artificial intelligence, to prepare cadets for the evolving landscape of warfare.
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