Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday said the Government will continue to address manpower and skills gaps through sustained education, training, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at fostering development, peace and security in Zimbabwe and the continent.
Speaking at the Joint Command and Staff Course Number 38 graduation ceremony of 74 officers at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare, the President, who is also Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, said his administration will respond to the changing demands of the workforce to promote development and protect national interests.
He said the skills and knowledge being imparted at the Zimbabwe Staff College to officers from many African countries, contributes immensely to peace and security on the continent.
The graduates were drawn from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, other countries such as Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
“As Government, we continue to address manpower and skills gaps through the requisite education, training and capacity building,” said President Mnangagwa.
“In line with this quest, I congratulate the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for always being responsive to the ever-evolving training demands of its personnel.
“This has ensured that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces remains a source of inspiration within the broader local and regional security ecosystem.”
The President said it is further commendable that the ZDF is fostering and cementing relations in the sub-region through the enrolment of students drawn from across Africa.
Such a wider enrolment pool, he added, facilitates the sharing of ideas and experiences, which are critical for ‘silencing the guns’ everywhere.
President Mnangagwa called on the graduates to remain resilient and adopt critical and analytical skills in executing their duties.
He also urged the graduating class to transform and impact societies in their countries and jurisdictions.
“I am, therefore, confident that the Joint Command and Staff Course has moulded participants with the necessary skills to proficiently carry out their constitutional mandate, as both Commanders and Staff,” said the President.
“To the graduands, I say congratulations for successfully completing the course. The award of your certificates today is part of a long, demanding and arduous journey that lies ahead.
“Evidence of gained knowledge is demonstrated by serving with purpose, behavioural transformation as well as high outputs and impacts in the departments to which you will be placed.
“Resilience, innovation, adaptation, critical and analytical thinking remain essential qualities that must be exhibited by you as graduates of this course.”
President Mnangagwa also applauded the partnership between the Zimbabwe Staff College and the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU).
The ZNDU is managing academic courses, a development that enables the forces to measure up to international standards of a professional force, while also keeping abreast with emerging threats and security challenges.
The private sector, diplomats and academia, were also praised for their contributions and input at the Zimbabwe Staff College.
“I, therefore, congratulate the strong partnership between the ZNDU and the Zimbabwe Staff College towards consistently strengthening the training standards within the defence force.
“I further express gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and the Service Commanders for timeously responding to the manpower development needs of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also applauded the Zimbabwe Staff College for incorporating the country’s socio-economic landscape into its curriculum, saying this has a positive bearing on the graduates’ future decisions.
External tours to various African countries conducted during the training also promoted regional co-operation, enhanced students’ skills and aptitude to plan for peace building, conflict prevention and management.
The President said the lessons learnt must be nurtured and promote prudence, stewardship as well as safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of African countries.
The external tours covered Cameroon, Egypt, Lesotho and Malawi, as part of the geo-political studies of the course, which was consistent with the principles of regional solidarity and co-operation.
“I hope that the exposure you, the students have gained, in this respect, will positively impact your decision making in your various capacities, with regards our national interests and national security as well as our shared vision for a more prosperous future,” said President Mnangagwa.
“An appreciation of the key drivers and variables to security and statecraft, within the continent and beyond, by students, form critical building blocks to sustainable peace, stability and security.”
President Mnangagwa thanked the Chinese government for their support and Algeria for donating a consignment of computers and consumables set to be distributed across various units within the defence forces.
He also said the 2026 National Budget set aside ZiG46,8 billion to the security sector, which will ensure implementation of the military salary concept, equipment acquisition, requisite training, infrastructure development, among other key areas.
President Mnangagwa also presented certificates and awards to various students.
The event was attended by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tawengwa and other senior Government officials.
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