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1343: The President and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe have left the National Sports Stadium but various activities are still ongoing till 6pm.
1302: The Zimbabwe National Army is now presenting a mass display titled “More sweat in training and less blood and battle”, the making of a soldier.
1257: Parachutists are prepapring to land on the National Sports Stadium turf with one parachutes designed in the national colours. The crowd goes wild as the first one lands safely.
1250: The Airforce Dance Troupe is entertaining the crowd.
1232: President Mugabe wished the ZDF, on behalf of the nation and Government, a happy 33rd anniversary and with that ended his speech.
1227: The President said above these courses the ZDF helped its members join other civilian courses.
1224: The ZDF fulfilled all its planned training programmes among others Joint Command Staff course, National Defence Course which is a new course that is critical to the national security.
1222: President Mugabe has commended the ZDF for providing support for disaster rescues, to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and among other beneficiaries.
1217: He commended the ZDF for successfully carrying out demining activities. Due to the costly nature of the demining activities Zimbabwe failed to meet its deadline given in line with the Convention it signed but has since secured an extension.
1215: ZDF has rendered support to the police in border control and at Chiadzwa diamond fields.
1214: The President says he is happy to note that ZDF has remained resolute. Security varies from the individual to the national level. The ZDF has over the years improved their capacity to be the guardian of the country.
1210: The President lauded the ZDF and attacked elements who called for security sector reform in order to weaken the security forces. He said there’s no going back on indigenisation now that Zanu PF has secured a fresh mandate to lead in the just ended election. He congratulated Zimbabweans for voting peacefully.
1204: President Mugabe is now on the podium.
1202: President Mugabe confers 1 250 ZDF officers, one of them posthumously, Orders of Merit for distinguishing themselves on various operations in the DRC and Mozambique. He physically conferred 22 taken as a sample.
1149: Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa addresses the crowd. He said the ZDF runs a vibrant community assistance programme and in that regard the ZDF continues to join hands with communities around the country to rehabilitate schools, roads, bridges among other projects. This year the ZDF worked on classroom blocks at Nyakasikana in Beatrice.
1122: In Masvingo, Governor Titus Maluleke and Service Chiefs arrive at Mucheke Stadium and the governor starts to inspect the parade.
1115: The parade marches past the Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe.
1058: President Mugabe inspects the Guard of Honour.
1051: The Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe has arrived to wild cheers and a fly past is conducted by the Air Force of Zimbabwe while the National Anthem plays.
1043: VP Mujuru arrives to loud cheers. DPM Mutambara also takes his seat on the high table.
1041: Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga arrives.
1039: Thousands pack Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo to mark Defence Forces Day as more people continue to throng the venue.
1033: Chief Fortune Charumbira, president of the Chiefs Council arrives together with other chiefs.
1028: The crowd is being entertained by Alick Macheso.
1027: Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Service Chiefs among Police Deputy Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and Major General Nyikayaramba have arrived.
1024: Several senior Government and Zanu PF officials have arrived.
1002: Long queues have formed at various entrances leading into the National Sports stadium as people throng to witness the Defence Forces Day celebrations.
0950: People in Marondera have started gathering at Rudhaka stadium for Defence Forces Day.
0949: In Masvingo Defence forces parade comprising army and police accompanied by drum majorettes starts marching from Chikato police station to Mucheke stadium.
DAY TWO-13 AUGUST-DEFENCE FORCES DAY
1550:Part of the impressive crowd that thronged the Heroes Acre
1548: Youths, Zanu PF supporters clad in t/shirts,caps and wrap overs (mazambia) thronged the Mashonaland East Heroes Acre. Entertainment comprised of poems,songs and dances;reminding people of the liberation struggle and benefits derived after winning independence. The Heroes Day commemorations,which come soon after a resounding Zanu PF victory,have created another platform for Zanu PF supporters to celebrate their victory during the harmonized elections
1326: The ceremony has ended at the Heroes Acre.
1316: In Mashonaland Central, Governor Cde Martin Dinha presented President Mugabe’s speech at the Provincial Heroes Acre.
1307: The President continues to lay wreaths at fallen comrades’ graves.
1235: President Mugabe has just laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. VP Mujuru is now laying her wreath.
1221: The President has ended his address.
1216: The President said Zimbabweans should always be aware of the West’s manipulation. He said people should be able to see amongst themselves whether there is foreign influence. He said, in reference to MDC-T’s court application, that the losers are saying they lost when they are the thieves.
1212: He said now is the time for every Zimbabwean to work hard and there is no room for lazy people.
1211: He thanked the uniformed forces for maintaining peace during and after the elections as well as the general peace that prevails in Zimbabwe.
1209: He said Zimbabwe is at one with Sadc, Comesa and AU which have pursued gender equality, good governance and the principle of non interference in domestic issues of other countries.
1207: As a major sign of confident in the continent Zimbabwe and Zambia will co-host the United Nation World Tourism Organisation General Assembly later this month.
1202: The empowerment agenda remains at the centre of Government’s initiatives with youth and women empowerment being central. d
1158: He said Zimbabwe has for the third consecutive time been ranked as the country with the highest literacy rate in Africa standing at 90, 7%. Governmnet is currently establishing three more State University in Matabeleland South, Manicaland and Mashonaland East.
1157: The Mining Promotion Corporation is being revived said the President. He said due to illegal sanctions manufacturing sector continues to show signs of contracting citing the clothing manufacturers have shut down or downsized. He said the Government remains concerned as this is hampering the revival efforts.
1154: He noted climate change as a major threat to the country’s agriculture and economic security but the Government will continue to implement mitigatory measures in order to ensure food security.
1152: President Mugabe said the main struggle continues on the path of socio-economic transformation. Zimbabwe’s economy remains one of the most stable in the region.
1150: The President thanked Sadc, Comesa and AU as they have continued to support the country’s national efforts as well as the friendly countries that have wished the nation well.
1148: President Mugabe said the celebrations come in the wake of two historic events namely a new home grown constitution and the harmonised elections. Both events were done peacefully shaming those who doubted that Zimbabwe can handle its affairs peacefully.
1144: The President thanks the crowd for attending the celebrations to honour the departed heroes.
1142: He asks the West”We are bringing democracy on a platter, do you take it? We say take it or leave it but the people have delivered it,”
1141: The president said the enemy was beaten at the elections and the West must see that the power of Zimbabweans is not only that shown by the gun during the war but the peopl’s power is in their unity. This time they used the ballot as the weapon.
1138: President Mugabe says today is a day to salute those who sacrificed their lives for Zimbabwe. Those buried at the Heroes Acre represent thousands buried elsewhere.
1132: Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi invites President Mugabe to the podium.
1109: President inspects Guard of Honour mounted by the Presidential Guard.
1105: President Mugabe and the First Lady have arrived and the National Anthem is playing.
1059: VP Mujuru is now part of those in attendance at the main Heroes Day Celebrations.
1054: Song and dance keeps the crowd entertained as they wait for President Mugabe to arrive.
1052: The Service Chiefs have arrived.
1018: The crowd keeps swelling as more people arrive for the Heroes Day Celebrations.
Online Reporter