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IT was not an act of arrogance when Zimbabwe Defence Forces spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi on Monday stated that they had many successes to speak about: “As ZDF, we have never faltered in defence of our country. We have defended our country well in whatever assignments we have been given,” he said.
Their 2015 theme, “ZDF: Consistent in Defence of National Sovereignty, Social and Economic Development” captures this commitment.
Indeed, ZDF has an impressive track record in Zimbabwe and beyond, and over the years they have won the hearts of Zimbabweans who in the past two days thronged various centres not just to witness the latest displays, but also to acknowledge the role played by their defence forces in maintaining peace and tranquillity in the country.
They have ensured that Zimbabwe’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are well-guarded against many debilitating odds. The 35th edition of the ZDF Day also saw thousands going to the National Sports Stadium in Harare in honour of the men and women who ensure the stability the country enjoys today. What we all need is to find out how people in the past few years have started to genuinely appreciate and embrace national events such as national Independence celebrations, National Heroes and Zimbabwe Defence Forces days. People now feel proud to be Zimbabweans and to be associated with the sacrifices made by thousands who fought for the country’s Independence. Those who think that people are compelled to attend such events must participate in any one of the occasions to experience the camaraderie that has become a part of these festivities.
Zimbabweans are grateful because they know that fighting settler colonial rule was not easy. Their coming in numbers is a way of saying “Zimbabwe will never be a colony again”. There is also a “catch them young” element as parents and guardians take their children to witness these events. Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe said yesterday the nation should take pride in the ZDF, which came out of an amalgamation of former warring parties to form a formidable force that is the pride of the nation. President Mugabe chronicled some of the successes in ZDF’s 35-year history, highlighting that the forces “are instrumental in our country’s quest for socio-economic development, as they do so by guaranteeing us of peace and stability.”
Despite being one of the sectors hardest hit by the illegal economic sanctions, the ZDF has managed to fulfil its constitutional mandate with very limited resources at their disposal. In their quest for best practice in military work, they have also been open to new ideas from friendly nations. For example, the 35th edition was attended by, among others, Pakistan’s Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saeed Muhammad Khan and the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces, General Antonio Egidio Sousa Santos.
Pakistani and Angolan forces have a long history of collaborative work with the ZDF, so too other countries in the Sadc region, the continent and beyond where we can trace ZDF’s footprints.
Training, research and development have also been key to ZDF’s successes. AFZ Commander Air Marshall Perrance Shiri said in a statement that the uniformed forces had drawn “valuable” lessons from the illegal sanctions: “Sanctions restricted our access to spares and equipment. We lost our capabilities to perform our defence roles. We initiated a research and development project to manufacture our own spares. We have learnt to effectively and efficiently manage the resources allocated through strict adherence to the Government initiated results-based management system. We have found ways to stretch the value of the resources allocated, which is the hallmark of an effective and efficient Air Force of Zimbabwe of the future.”
It is also a mark of achievement that the National Defence College will be transformed into a fully-fledged university before year-end.
A people’s army is there when they need it. The ZDF has not been found wanting despite constraints.
They continue to perform their social responsibility programmes among disadvantaged communities.
Online Reporter