Mnangagwa briefs Senate on National defence college

under construction on the outskirts of Harare.

The institution, he said, was vital in the national manpower development agenda.
The college is being built just outside the capital in Mazowe District with the assistance of the Chinese Government.

“Evidence from similar education and training institutions elsewhere in the international system suggest that appointments into notable key vacancies in the civil service are directly and indirectly dependent on the compulsory attendance of the NDC,” he said.
Minister Mnangagwa said Kenya had a similar institution that had trained personnel from Zimbabwe. He said the East African country appointed people to important positions like international trade attaches, secretaries within ministries and diplomatic postings after they completed a national defence course.

EMMERSON MNANGAGWA

“There is a large number of graduates from such institutions within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces who can testify to the importance of the critical role NDC plays in the national manpower development agenda,” Minister Mnangagwa said.
He said the NDC would serve as the premier defence education centre in Zimbabwe offering specialised training in the field of national security and defence to selected military and civilian officers.

“It will act as a think tank for providing research on military, defence and national security for the National Security Council, Ministry of Defence and other Government organisations.
“It will conduct seminars and workshops to co-ordinate national security issues,” he said.
The minister said the NDC would also widen participants’ role in understanding of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy in promoting national interests as well as providing understanding of the role played by military power in national security. The establishment of the NDC was authorised by the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF President Mugabe in September 2008.

The Ministry of Defence acquired 60 hectares of land for its construction on the outskirts of Harare.
Its foundation stone was laid in August last year and construction is expected to be completed by 2014. The NDC will start as an affiliate of the University of Zimbabwe before attaining full university status by 2016.
Minister Mnangagwa said the college would be open to senior military officers with the rank of colonel and others from the public.