Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika-Herald Reporter
THE Air Force of Zimbabwe continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing safety standards within both the national and regional aviation industry through rigorous training that saves lives and protects valuable aircraft.
This was underscored yesterday during a graduation ceremony at the AFZ School of Technical Training (STT) in Harare, where 105 soldiers received National Diplomas in Aircraft Engineering after completing a four-year programme.
The graduating cohort included six allied students from Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi.
The diploma, accredited by the Higher Examinations Council, covers a range of technical trades, including Aircraft Armament, Aircraft Engines and Power Plants, Airframes, Aircraft Electrics, Aircraft Instruments, Radios and Telecommunications, and Aircraft Interiors.
In line with the Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality, 25,3 percent of the graduating class were female.
Officiating at the event, AFZ Chief of Staff (Supporting Services) Air Vice Marshal Selenale Masera described the course as a boost to aviation safety in Zimbabwe and the wider region.
“You are not merely receiving certificates or qualifications. You are being entrusted with a profession in which precision, integrity and attention to detail can determine the success or failure of an operation and, ultimately, the safety of expensive equipment and human lives,” he said.
Air Vice Marshal Masera cautioned the graduates against complacency.
“An aircraft maintenance engineer cannot afford to be complacent. A small error in inspection, maintenance, repair or documentation can have serious consequences.”
Air Vice Marshal Masera noted that the graduation marked the beginning of a long and evolving career in aviation.
“Aircraft technology continues to evolve and so must your knowledge and skills. Remain curious, continue studying, embrace new technologies and learn from experienced professionals,” he said.
“Let the quality of your workmanship speak for the training you received here. Demonstrate exceptional professionalism, technical competence and integrity in every assignment you undertake.”
Air Vice Marshal Masera also encouraged the graduates to sustain the friendships and professional networks developed during their training.
“The bonds formed during this course can become valuable avenues for co-operation and the exchange of technical knowledge between our respective countries and defence forces,” he said.
In a message read on her behalf, STT Commandant Group Captain Memory Mashavave said the graduates had been equipped with advanced concepts to guide and enable them to excel in their respective trades.
“The emphasis of this programme is to help students understand the fundamental avionics principles that govern the modern-day aviation industry,” she said.
Group Captain Mashavave noted that previous graduates from the school had flown the flag high across the region.
“The products of this school continue to be in high demand within the aviation industry in the SADC region and beyond. As an institution, we take great pride in this status,” she said.
