Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
WHEN 21-year-old Pretty Tshuma from Tokwana Village in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province set foot on Imbizo Barracks on the outskirts of Bulawayo last year, she was one of 500 wide-eyed young men and women eager to prove themselves in the
Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Thirty-six gruelling weeks later, Tshuma stood tall in the parade square, her dream fulfilled, as part of recruit intake 38B/01/24, which saw 495 general duty soldiers graduate last Friday. The pass-out parade was presided over by none other than the
ZNA Commander himself, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Matatu.
But Tshuma’s story did not end with simply completing training. She rose above hundreds of her peers to become the first runner-up in the merit awards for outstanding performance during the course, second only to Bravo Company’s
Munyaradzi Munetsi, with Alpha Company’s Enock Muchefa coming in third.
For Tshuma, it was the culmination of a childhood dream.
“I always wanted to be a soldier and today I have come through, dream fulfilled,” she said, her voice full of pride.
Unlike many young people her age, Tshuma never dithered when it came to her future.
“I never thought of any other profession. My dream was to defend my country,” she said.
That focus drove her to live a disciplined lifestyle long before she joined the army. She avoided drugs, stayed physically active and ran every morning, no matter the circumstances.
“So when I came here, I never had any problems with the training demands, even though they were very rigorous. I was able to run alongside everyone,” she recalled, smiling.
Her journey began when she spotted posters announcing the army recruitment drive. Armed with her five O-levels, a national ID and physical fitness, she stepped forward.
“There was no financial payment needed. It was open to every young person willing to serve,” she said.
The highlight of Tshuma’s day came when her name was called out for the merit award.
“At first I was shocked, then immediately excited,” she said, her eyes sparkling as she relived the moment.
Too overwhelmed to project her voice like her fellow award-winners, Munetsi and Muchefa, Tshuma simply marched, eyes locked on Lt-Gen Matatu, the crowd watching as the young recruit walked the 40 metres to the shield table.
In a moment that felt more paternal than military, the ZNA Commander congratulated her warmly.
“Congratulations, mntanami. Well done, soldier,” Lt-Gen Matatu said, handing her a certificate and an engraved brown shield.
The ceremony also highlighted the ZNA’s ongoing efforts to ensure equal opportunities for men and women.
Of the 495 graduates, 122 were women. Lt-Gen Matatu said the increase in the number of female graduates is a clear testimony of ZNA’s gender mainstreaming efforts.
“That we have 122 female graduates on parade today is a clear testimony of our gender mainstreaming efforts. These young ladies will join the many who came before them and shatter the myth that the military career is for men only,” he said.
“I think we’ve seen for ourselves that these young ladies were equal to the challenge and they met their counterparts all the way.”
