Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
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.
