Online Reporter
We publish here the full speech delivered by President Mnangagwa at the 46th anniversary of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations at Rufaro Stadium in Harare yesterday.
Director of Ceremonies;
First Lady, Amai A. Mnangagwa; Vice President, Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga and Amai Chiwenga; Vice President, Hon. Col. (Rtd) Dr. K. C. D. Mohadi; Minister of Defence and Chairman of ZANU PF, Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri; Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Hon. C. Z. Tawengwa; Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Adv. J. F. N. Mudenda; President of the Senate, Hon. Amai M. M. Chinomona; Chief Justice, Hon. E. Gwaunza; Members of the Politburo and Central Committee; Honourable Ministers; Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. M. Rushwaya; Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Dr. V. Hungwe; Commander Defence Forces, General E. Matatu; Commander Zimbabwe National Army,Lt. Gen. A. W. Tapfumaneyi; Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal J. J. Nzvede; Commissioner General, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Commissioner S. Mutamba; Commissioner General, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Commissioner M. Chihobvu; Director General, President’s Department, Amb. P. Chikawa; Senior Government Officials; Traditional Leaders, here present; Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Veterans of the Liberation Struggle; Mayor of Harare, His Worship Councillor J. Mafume; Invited Guests; Comrades and Friends.
It is my distinct honour to address the nation at this special occasion marking the 46th Anniversary of the Defence Forces Day.
Today, we stand strong as a united and peaceful country, with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces guaranteeing the harmony and tranquility that has become synonymous with the Second Republic.
We cherish the manner our Defence Forces continue to execute their constitutional mandate of safeguarding and protecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
This achievement is anchored on the three principles that guided the struggle for independence and our shared desire for self-determination, unity, peace and development.
Upon attainment of Independence in 1980, one of the immediate and fundamental duties was the creation of a national defence and security apparatus that reflected the aspirations of the majority black Zimbabwean people.
I, congratulate our Defence Forces for living up to this national expectation.
Further, it is noteworthy, that 46 years after independence, members of the Defence Forces continue to be inspired by the ethos and revolutionary spirit that guided our forebears.
I implore you to maintain this enduring tradition. Well done. Makorokoto.
Amhlophe. Fellow Zimbabweans; This year’s theme; ‘Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030’, is befitting and timely. More-so, that the 46th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations are taking place at a time when global peace and security is threatened by unpredictable dynamics and more turbulent international relations landscape.
The ripple effects have seen far-reaching shocks in economies and societies across the world.
In the face of the complex security threats and challenges, Zimbabwe is accordingly expediting the modernisation of defence systems and capabilities.
Through effective leadership, a holistic approach, robust strategies and policy systems, the national defence and security environment has improved throughout the country. Our goal is to safeguard peace, stability and the new national development trajectory, through a realigned security architecture that reinforces progress and realisation of Vision 2030.
Government is, thus, determined to consolidate the sense of strategic confidence in our national defence and security by building multi-layered defence and security success pathways in an intricate security space.
Our focus is consolidating practical defence mechanisms to enhance combat effectiveness and readiness. Greater attention is now on improving coordination, increasing efficiency as well as deploying science and technology, while keeping the fundamental character and ethos of our military, untouched.
To further “Guarantee Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030”, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has a duty, therefore, to ensure a defence and security establishment that facilitates deeper integration and a stronger nexus between development and security. To achieve this objective, a competent and well-trained defence personnel is a necessity.
To date, I am pleased with the various training programmes within the ZDF, which are cultivating high calibre officials and officers who are loyal, patriotic, disciplined and professional.
These will not only help propel the ongoing modernisation thrust of the ZDF and our nation, but also ensure that the competency, combat capabilities and reputation of the ZDF remain high, in perpetuity.
Going forward, I challenge senior military officers to take the lead and facilitate a defence ecosystem that drives innovation to develop fluid and more resource efficient systems to continually improve the manner we execute the constitutional mandate of the ZDF.
My Government stands ready to increase support to the various categories of the training facilities within the ZDF.
On its part, the military should boldly reconfigure training models and methodologies in a manner that optimises the application of science and technology.
In this regard, the adoption of multifaceted approaches and infusion of strategic capabilities in emerging fields, is now an urgent necessity, however, relying on our own unique realities.
We must strengthen cyberspace security and anticipate the impact of artificial intelligence on the defence and security sector.
The relevant units should be strengthened, or established where necessary to increase combat readiness in respect of contemporary military trends. As the ZDF, let us never shy away from transformation in line with our national interests, through all round reform, innovative ecosystems and self-reliance.
Under my leadership, independence, self-reliance and sovereignty, which extend to all aspects, are key objectives of the Second Republic.
The world over, internal defence capability is a vital cog to protect national sovereignty.
In this respect, Government stands ready to support the growth of a vibrant science and technology driven National Defence Industry. On the sidelines of the recent graduation ceremony held at Zimbabwe National Defence University, I was pleased to be exposed to various ground-breaking security and defence related innovations by students.
I invite stakeholders in industry and the security space, to support such innovations towards eventual deployment and commercialisation.
Meanwhile, I congratulate the ZDF for the role it continues to play towards guaranteeing national food security and sovereignty through the utilisation of its institutional farms.
With increased capacity and output, I call upon the Forces to also establish agro-processing ventures as well as the export of high value agro-products.
Comrades and Friends; The ZANU PF Government is people-centred, likewise, the sacred characteristic of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as a People’s Army, should never be tainted.
The people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe remain at the core of all our activities. I am confident in the clarity of the ZDF with regard my Government’s pursuance of Vision 2030 and the need to consolidate the current socio-economic development journey of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
I, therefore, commend the Defence Forces for continually strengthening the civil-military relations, and raising public awareness on the importance of the ZDF and national security, as a whole.
The ZDF has undertaken community development projects such as the construction of additional schools and health infrastructure in Rushinga, Buhera, Gokwe, Mutasa North and Harare, among others.
These initiatives along with numerous medical outreach programmes, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care are applauded.
The Whole of Government and Society Approach, has seen the Zimbabwe Defence Forces collaborating with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security agencies in border control operations. Combined deployment along our borders with South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique has fostered public security, while facilitating safe movement of people and efficient trade.
Similarly, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is a critical partner in the Civil Protection, Disaster Management and Risk Reduction architecture. 10I, applaud the Forces for successfully undertaking search and rescue assignments in Masvingo and Midlands Provinces with precision and tact.
The ZDF is urged to maintain the professional work which continues to positively impact lives of our people across all communities.
My Administration will continue to upgrade early warning systems and enhance preparedness towards mitigating natural disasters.
To date, the responsibility for the clearance of landmines planted by the Rhodesian colonial forces at the height of the liberation struggle, lies with us. Some tracts of land have remained economically inactive due to landmines, with a proportion of our population left vulnerable to landmines and other residual explosive devices of the war of liberation.
It is, however, encouraging that notable successes have been realised in de-mining exercises. My Government, will continue to mobilise resources to become a mine free country in keeping with obligations set out under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty.
I extend profound gratitude to partners who include the United Nations Development Programme; Norwegian People’s Aid; Hazardous Area Life Support Organisation and the Mine Advisory Group, for supporting ongoing efforts, enabling us to achieve impressive milestones.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ National Mine Clearance Unit is commended for increasing the capacity and knowledge with regards to mine clearance.
This critical division of our military will continue to be capacitated. Zimbabwe stands ready to share insights and experiences in mine action as part of contribution to a mine free world and shared sustainable development.
Fellow Zimbabweans; We are ‘a friend to all and enemy to none’. My Government is advancing diplomacy, multilateralism and dialogue as sustainable pathways for shared prosperity and the resolution of conflicts. Zimbabwe’s election as a non-permanent member of the United 12Nations Security Council for the period 2027 to 2028 is a tribute to our commitment to peace and security.
We shall scale up advocacy for a just, fair and equitable world order. Zimbabwe Defence Forces remains ready to second more members to United Nations, African Union and SADC peace support missions.
Currently, our brave officers, men and women of the security sector have done the nation proud through their high-level standards of professionalism, commitment to duty and discipline, at the international fora.
It is further pleasing that through military diplomacy, the ZDF is reaping the fruits of mutually beneficial relations with regard to external training exchange programmes, skills enhancement and the promotion of inter-operability.
I congratulate the Air Force of Zimbabwe for their successful participation in the SADC Exercise Blue Lugwashu, conducted in the Republic of Zambia. Zimbabwe is pleased to host the next edition of the exercise in 2027.
Fellow Zimbabweans; in line with the work ethic of the Second Republic, it is praise worthy that the ZDF is intensifying focus on problem solving, strategic planning as well as more prudent defence expenditure management and supervision.
On its part, my Government will continue to build and maintain an efficient as well as highly competent Force, with the requisite attention to the welfare and conditions of service for the personnel.
The construction and refurbishment of institutional facilities in Cantonment areas have been scaled up. Efforts are underway to increase the use of renewable energy technologies, towards improving availability of power in all facilities.
As Commander in Chief, I established a special facility to expand the ZDF’s Lift Capability.
The facility will be extended to other critical units to accelerate the upgrade and modernisation of our national defence systems.
Let me also take the opportunity of these commemorations, to extend my sincere gratitude to the generality of the people of Zimbabwe for the support we continue to render to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Be assured that our Forces will continue to play their part for an environment of peace and tranquility that facilitates an accelerated, irreversible economic growth trajectory, towards Vision 2030.
Let us all remain inspired by our national philosophy; ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo’.
Finally, I commend members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for remaining steadfast, loyal, patriotic, disciplined and exemplary in the execution of their mandate.
As the nation marches towards becoming a prosperous and empowered upper-middle income society, I challenge the ZDF to evolve, innovate and adapt in line with the needs and national interest of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
Officers, men and women of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the nation is proud of you.
Sustain the momentum and keep up the good work that has earned you the status of a dependable, professional and highly reputable Force. We salute you.
With these remarks, I wish the entire nation, officers, men and women of ZDF an enjoyable and memorable 46th Defence Forces Day Commemorations.
Long Live the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Long Live our Sovereignty, Unity and Peace.
God bless you.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.
