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Talent Chimutambgi Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) community assistance week commenced yesterday with various projects ready to be handed over to the respective communities.
Annually, during the ZDF Community Assistance Week, the military embarks on several projects where it assists communities in line with its constitutional mandate to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security and interests, its territorial integrity and to uphold the Constitution.
It is part of the ZDF peacetime mandate to embrace development in the country by extending a helping hand to communities.
In an interview yesterday, Commander Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Lieutenant General David Sigauke revealed that various projects were lined up, and ready for handover ceremonies this week.
He said the projects have transformed the lives of many dwellers in various communities, fostering unity in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of attaining an Upper-Middle Income economy by 2030.
“As a norm, amongst the completed projects, some will be selected as Star Projects and are to be handed over during the ZDF Community Assistance Week starting from 1 to 7 August by the Ministry of Defence hierarchy and ZDF command element,” said Lt Gen Sigauke.
“These community assistance projects have significantly improved the livelihoods of our people throughout the country thereby fostering cohesion and unity of purpose which is consistent with the vision of His Excellency, The President and Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, for achieving an upper middle income society by 2030,” he said.
Some of the completed projects in include: Maternity Ward in Mberengwa, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chinhoyi peri-urban as well as Neromwe Clinic in Chiredzi which was championed by the Airforce of Zimbabwe, Mandoga Primary School classroom blocks in Marondera and Siphepa Primary School classroom blocks in Tsholotsho.
There is also Watershed Primary School classroom block in Bulilima, Chakadini Clinic in Mahusekwa, St Albans Primary School classroom block in Buhera, as well as the Rebuilding of homesteads in Goromonzi also spearheaded by the Airforce of Zimbabwe, Monyoroka Primary School classroom blocks in Chiredzi, among others projects.
Lt Gen Sigauke said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are a major player in the success of the National Development Strategy 1 through the various projects they are engaged in and ensuring there is peace and stability in the country.
“A peaceful environment will allow economic development to take place unhindered in line with Vision 2030 as enunciated by His Excellency, the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces which has already been set in motion through National Development Strategy 1,” he said.
He said the ZNA collaborated with other security organs in various operations and rescue missions.
“ZNA, therefore, remains alert to give an early response upon disaster occurrences throughout the country.
“With regards to disaster management and relief operations, the ZNA in conjunction with the Civil Protection Unit and other Government departments has been involved in search and rescue operations in perennially flood-prone areas such as Gokwe, Tsholotsho, Muzarabani areas, and Chiredzi low veld, among others,” said Lt Gen Sigauke.
The ZNA, he said, was determined to ensure that they discharge their mandate of embracing a pacified nation to full capacity through training and specialised research.
“To fulfil its Constitutional mandate, the ZNA has continued to train its members thereby maintaining a highly trained, well equipped, and disciplined force which is able to guarantee peace and tranquillity in the country.”
“The ZNA has therefore continued to develop its human resource base through training on military and non-military courses. Our training programmes are complemented by sending some officers, men, and women for external training in friendly countries both regionally and internationally,” said Lt Gen Sigauke.
Furthermore, the ZNA was also sending members to attain professional qualifications with the thrust to promote professionalism in the organisation.
“In terms of professional non-military training, the ZNA continues to send its officers, men, and women to enrol for certificates, diplomas, degrees, and other higher civilian qualifications at colleges and universities,” he said.
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