Online Reporter
Collin Mtatabikwa and Columbus Mabika
REGIONAL and continental collaboration remain critical in overcoming contemporary security threats and climate-induced disasters, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.
She made the remarks in her keynote address at the graduation of 70 students, including others from regional allied forces, with Diplomas in Defence and Security Studies at Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare.
The course was held in collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Defence University, to which the ZSC is an affiliate.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said that while nations were doing their best to overcome contemporary problems, collaboration through various aspects such as joint military training was the solution.
“Today, the region continues to be plagued by modern hybrid security threats that are complex in nature and climate change-induced disasters that continue to wreak havoc in the region and the world at large,” she said.
“Regional collaboration through aspects such as combined allied forces training remains of paramount importance to solving these problems.”
Collaboration in military training, the minister said, was strategic to national security in a world characterised by technological advancement and conflicts that require a matching response.
“The Diploma in Defence and Security Studies continues to exhibit strategic relevance to our national security architecture, which is complex in nature, characterised by rapid technological developments, evolving threats, and multidimensional conflicts.
“This requires that we equip our students with advanced knowledge, analytical capability, and capacity, and modern operational competencies.
“These include research and development, which enhances evidence-based decision-making and innovation within the defence forces, and military technology, which prepares officers to understand, utilise, and adapt to emerging technologies, sharpening their ability to safeguard national interests in a dynamic global environment. These competencies are indispensable to modern military institutions,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri noted that her ministry is working on aligning the Defence Act with the national constitution.
“The Ministry is also working hard to expedite the alignment of the Defence Act with the 2013 National Constitution. We are also fast-tracking the ratification of the Biological Weapons Convention,” she said.
Turning to gender equality, she emphasised the need to increase women’s enrolment and participation in courses of national interest.
ZNDU Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal Dr Tezani Moyo, said collaboration through training was a reaffirmation of collective dedication to national and regional security.
“This course equipped you with essential analytical tools to appreciate the complex and evolving nature of contemporary global security dynamics,” he said.
“The world around us continuously experiences fluid geopolitical shifts, hybrid threats, and asymmetric security challenges.”
He noted that the ZNDU has made strides in the fulfilment of the provisions of Article 39 of Statutory Instrument 38 of 2017, which empowers universities to associate with military training establishments.
Through its strategic plan, he said, the ZNDU continues to align its programmes with the attainment of Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into a prosperous upper-middle-income economy.
In an unrelated matter, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has notified the public of a handover and takeover parade between Generals Philip Valerio Sibanda and Emmanuel Matatu at Charles Gumbo Barracks on Monday.
Guests are expected to be seated for proceedings by 07:30 hours in the morning.
