Antony Chawagarira
As Zimbabwe commemorates Defence Forces Day, attention is traditionally drawn to the men and women who serve the nation in uniform.
But among the colourful and memorable figures associated with the country’s military traditions is one unlikely recruit — Private Khumalo The Third, the Zimbabwe National Army’s celebrated goat mascot.
Born on 28 August 2018, Private Khumalo The Third was inducted into the Zimbabwe National Army in November 2018 at Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade, marking the beginning of his unusual association with the country’s military establishment.
Unlike human soldiers, the four-legged private is not a combatant. His role is largely ceremonial and symbolic, reflecting a long-standing military tradition in which animals have served as mascots, boosting morale and adding character to military formations.
Private Khumalo has subsequently become a familiar sight at military and national events, including Defence Forces Day celebrations at White City Stadium, where his presence has attracted considerable public interest.
His story also offers a lighter dimension to the solemn Defence Forces Day commemorations, which honour the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for their contribution to national security, peace and development.
There have been claims and jokes over the years that Private Khumalo receives a soldier’s salary. However, there is no publicly available official Zimbabwe National Army documentation confirming that he receives a conventional military salary or other benefits enjoyed by human personnel.
What remains undisputed is his symbolic place within the military family.
As Zimbabweans celebrate Defence Forces Day, Private Khumalo The Third stands as a unique reminder that military traditions can carry both solemnity and humour — and that even a goat can become part of a nation’s military folklore.
