Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Second Republic will not let the illegal Western sanctions hold it back in its quest to develop the country, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.
Under his administration, Government has been implementing game-changing development projects across the country such as the Lake Gwayi-Shangani, the dualisation of the Beitbridge-Harare highway and releasing devolution funds to local authorities that have created employment and changed people’s livelihoods.
Officiating at the Number 68 Pilot Training Course, Wings presentation and commissioning parade at the Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base in Gweru, President Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to remain focused towards achieving set goals for socio-economic development.
“My Government has taken the position that the illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe must no longer hold us back in our quest to leapfrog our socio-economic development. Let us therefore maintain focus towards the realisation of the goals we have set for ourselves with regards to the modernization, industrialisation and growth of every facet of our great country,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Number 68 Pilot Training Course commenced in May 2017 with a total of 20 students comprising 11 males and four females.
The Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said on a sad note one student pilot together with a flying instructor lost their lives through a fatal air crash during training.
He said the two young patriots will always be remembered for their dedication to duty.
He commended the AFZ for successfully carrying out the training programme in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic
“Through the aircraft recovery project, a number of air assets, including trainer aircraft, were recovered and brought on line to ensure the successful completion of the flying training programme. I thus applaud the AFZ for such endeavors to achieve self-sufficiency based on a vibrant research and development programme,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the wings presentation and commissioning parade is therefore, a celebration of the ingenuity of the AFZ as well as the diligence, persistence and hard work displayed by the young officers of Number 68 Pilot Training Course.
President Mnangagwa said a more capable, well resourced, versatile and battle-ready Air Force is a fundamental part of the realisation of the aspirations set in the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.
“In this regard, my Government will continue to avail resources to support technical and operational requirements for the modernisation of the Air Force of Zimbabwe. As I alluded to in my 2021 Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day speech, plans are already in motion to capacitate, retool and equip the Defence Forces with appropriate military technology,” he said.
In pursuit of the quest to produce proficient and professional military pilots, President Mnangagwa said the training was broken down into distinct phases which included Officer Cadet training, academic, aviation training and the practical and comprehensive flying training programme.
“I am aware of the challenges encountered during the training course with regards to the lighting at this base’s runway. I have since directed the relevant Government Ministries to ensure the urgent modernisation of the runway here at the Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base,” he said.
“The journey to becoming a military pilot in the Air Force of Zimbabwe is an arduous and demanding undertaking. It requires one to remain focused, dedicated and committed to the training programme.”
President Mnangagwa urged the graduates to remain dedicated and patriotic to the country.
He said between 1963 and 1964 he did his military training in China and remained patriotic to the country to this day.
Two times in his address President Mnangagwa had to stop reading his speech as various AFZ planes took to the sky for the beautiful and well-crafted air display leaving delegates and families of the graduates in awe.
He urged those who graduated to broaden their professional capabilities and abilities riding on AFZ’s thrust for continuous improvement.
“Equally you are urged to be alert and vigilant at all times and in all circumstances. Together with other arms of security, you are a vital cog in our country’s peace and security infrastructure as well as to national harmony and unity.
“Meanwhile, the selection of four Officer Cadets from this Course to participate in Pilot Training Courses in China and Zambia is a welcome development. I express my gratitude to the People’s Republic of China and Republic of
Zambia for affording our students the unique opportunity to undergo flying training with their respective Air Forces.
These partnerships which benefit our countries and people must continue to be deepened, promoted and safeguarded,” said President Mnangagwa.
Looking ahead, he said the revamping of the training syllabi as well as greater collaboration and synergies between the AFZ and other national institutions must be pursued and sustained.
“Furthermore, I applaud the Air Force of Zimbabwe for making strides to review the training syllabi which will see cadets also graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Studies from the Zimbabwe National Defence University,” he said.
“In celebrating the attainment of this great milestone, allow me to thank the Command element of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for prioritising training in order to ensure that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces remains professional, loyal and battle ready.”
President Mnangagwa said the Second Republic honoured the late National Hero Chief Air Marshal Josiah Tungamirai by naming the Thornhill Air Base after him.
“His illustrious career, legacy of loyalty, dedication and patriotism should be emulated by the men and women who pass through the air base,” he said.
Online Reporter