LIVE: President Mnangagwa to preside over Zimbabwe Military Academy pass out parade

THE Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mnangagwa is today (Friday) expected to preside over the Commissioning Parade of the Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/40/23 at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) in Gweru

The course consists of 202 cadets made up of 148 male and 54 female officers.

The ROC 3/40/23 passing out today is the 40th course to graduate at the Academy since 1980.

The completion of this course symbolises the end of a demanding journey that began on 18 September 2023.

The ZMA has a rich history dating back over a century. Originally, the camp served as both a training ground for various military personnel and a supply depot.

Throughout the years, the academy underwent name changes that aligned with camp’s evolving tasks and the political context of each era.

In 2010, the Academy achieved associate status with the Midlands State University (MSU), leading to the establishment of the Diploma in Military Training and Education program.

The Academy has made significant strides in broadening its scope and vision. A crucial milestone was achieved in 2024 when the Cadet Wing transformed into a division, enabling the academy to provide degree programs to cadets.

Zimpapers’ Midlands Bureau Chief, Patrick Chitumba will be giving us live updates from the ceremony.

Female representation on the rise: 54 women to graduate from Zimbabwe Military Academy

The Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/40/23 to be commissioned by President Mnangagwa this morning at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) in Gweru is set to showcase a significant increase in female participation.

A total of 54 women will graduate, which represents an increase from 44 last year.

This was revealed by Commandant ZMA Brigadier General Chrispen Nduku.

“In line with gender inclusion policies among the graduands passing out are 54 females who endured the rigorous training of this course, an increase from 44 from the last course,” he said.

Brig General Nduku said of note is that this Cadet Course passing out is the 40^th to graduate at the Academy since 1980

He said the course commenced training on September 18, 2023 with an initial strength of 250 comprising of 73 females and 177 males.

“A total of 202, comprising 54 females and 148 males, made it to this day. Today’s pass out is unique in that the Academy is injecting 200 junior officers into the officers corps of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, comprising of 157 officers for Zimbabwe National Army and 43 officers for the Air Force of Zimbabwe, ” he said.

Brig General Nduku said the Academy is also proud of contributing to collective security in the region as the pass-out parade has two officers from Eswatini Defence Force of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

“The presence of these Allied students is a testament of the richness and depth of the Academy’s training programmes. Joint training is also a key ingredient for the successful execution of joint and multinational operations,” he said.

Zimbabwe Military Academy: A Century of Training and Excellence

The Zimbabwe Military Academy has a rich history dating back over a century. Originally, the camp served as both a training ground for various military personnel and a supply depot. Throughout the years, the Academy underwent name changes that aligned with the camp’s evolving tasks and the political context of each era.

The land was first utilised for military purposes by the Gwelo Volunteers Mounted Infantry in 1894, shortly after the 1893 War of Dispossession.

From then until 1979, the camp was primarily used for training under the colonial regime.

After Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, the institution was renamed Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA). During the early years of integration, the need for standardised command training was realised. In that regard, in addition to the Regular Officer Cadet Course (ROCC), the Standardisation Course was introduced at the Academy.

The course provided training for Lieutenants, Captains, Majors, and Lieutenant Colonels.

Candidates for this course were selected from Assembly Points.

The Standardisation Course comprised the Middle Management Course (MMC) and the Senior Management Course (SMC).

Graduates of these courses were appointed to command appointments in battal-ion settings, ranging from the rank of Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel, well-prepared to lead in a battalion setting.

In 1982, the Army identified command deficien-cies within the battalions, prompting the Academy to introduce the Foundation Course.

This course trained officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel. Following that, the Platoon Commanders’ Course (PCC) and the Company Commanders’ Course (CCC) were established at the Academy in 1983.

In 1983, the ZMA began offering the Basic Officers’ Course (BOC) specifically designed for selected specialists such as doctors and lawyers.

The Academy established its Academic Wing in 1997 with the aim of training officers who are well-rounded in both military and academic domains.

In 2010, the Academy achieved associate status with Midlands State University (MSU), leading to the establishment of the Diploma in Military Training and Education program.

The first group to complete this diploma was ROCC 3/27/10 in 2011, where they received their diplomas from Professor Ngwabi Bhebhe, the then MSU Vice-Chancellor.

Since then, numerous cadet courses have graduated, and ROCC 3/40/23 – marks the fourteenth group to successfully complete the diploma programme.

The Academy has made significant strides in broadening its scope and vision. A crucial milestone was achieved in 2024 when the cadet wing transformed into a division and enabling the Academy to provide degree programmes to cadets.

Consequently, the Academy is now under the leadership of a brigadier general.

Throughout its history, the Academy has had a total of 23 Commandants. After Zimbabwe gained independence, Colonel Mashingaidze (now retired Major General Mashingaidze) was assigned to the Academy in November 1980, becoming its first Black Commandant, succeeding Lieutenant Colonel TB McDemoty.

Currently, Brigadier General Crispen Mhere Nduku serves as the Academy’s 23rd Commandant. Significantly, Brig General Nduku is the first commandant of the brigadier general rank following the expansion of the Academy.

President arrives for ZMA graduation

President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) in Gweru where he is expected to preside over the Commissioning Parade of the Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/40/23.

The President is accompanied by the Minister of Defence Opprah Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Minister of Energy and Power Development July Moyo as well as the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube.

The course consists of 202 cadets made up of 148 male and 54 female officers.

The ROC 3/40/23 passing out today is the 40th course to graduate at the Academy since 1980.

Upon arrival, the Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces inspected a Quarter Guard.

ZMA graduation ceremony kicks off, as President Mnangagwa inspects guard of honour

 

The Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mnangagwa is now at the Zimbabwe Military Academy parade square.

The President is accompanied by Commandant ZMA Brigadier General Crispen Nduku.

This follows the backup troops also marching into the parade square, followed by the mass band from different units of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces.

The backup troops are supporting the 202 cadets waiting to be commissioned by President Mnangagwa.

As the ROCC 3/40 /23 graduands marched into the parade, parents, guardians, friends and invited guests broke into ululation and whistles.

The Reviewing Officer President Mnangagwa is now inspecting the guard of honor.

President Mnangagwa charges new officers to guard Zimbabwe’s Independence

President Mnangagwa has commissioned 202 Cadet Officers at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) in Gweru during the Commissioning Parade of the Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/40/23.

The course consisted of 202 cadets, made up of 148 male and 54 female officers.

The ROCC 3/40/23 pass out was 40th course to graduate at the Academy since 1980.

The 202 officer cadets took oaths of allegiance to become Second Lieutenants during a graduation ceremony held at the Academy, which was presided over by the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mnangagwa.

Outstanding graduating cadets were recognised with various awards with the best overall cadet receiving the prestigious Sword of Honour, presented by President Mnangagwa.

The President was accompanied by the Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, the Minister of Energy and Power Development July Moyo as well as the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube.

In his address, President Mnangagwa called on the newly graduated cadets of the ZMA to guard jealously the independence and solidarity that the country and region enjoys.

He noted that the ROCC remains one of the most physically and mentally demanding military courses, enabling graduands to deal with the demands of the complex modern battlefields.

President Mnangagwa highlighted that the graduation ceremony was yet another demonstration by the ZDF to continually inject new officer corps into the Forces, well equipped to play their part in safeguarding the hard-won Independence, freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“About 21 months ago, these young men and women before us, commenced an extremely demanding journey to become well trained, competent and professional officers within the ZDF. From the initial enrolment of 250 candidates, drawn from the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe and two from Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, these 202 graduates, including 54 females and 148 males, made the grade,” he said.

President Mnangagwa indicated that two officer cadets from the graduating course were seconded for Cadet Course Training in the Republic of Mozambique.