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The Head of State and Government and Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces also said Zimbabweans should also defend the well being of the country in social and sporting activities.
Addressing guests at the historic Zimbabwe Military Academy Pass-out Parade for Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/28/10 that saw five Namibians graduating for the first time together with their 83 Zimbabwean counterparts, President Mugabe said patriotism was critical to the development of any nation.
“No country can develop against a background of self-hate and pity within its fabric. I wish, therefore, to remind all Zimbabweans throughout the length and breadth of our country and, indeed those outside the country, that we should always put the well-being of our country first, in everything we do,” he said.
“We should never, ever, put foreign interests ahead of those of our own people, be it in the constitution-making process, which is under way, negotiating contracts, offering opinions and comments on our country, sporting and other social activities.”
President Mugabe said Zimbabwe continued to bear the brunt of the illegal economic sanctions imposed by Britain, the European Union, the United States and their allies.
He said contrary to the misguided views of some Zimbabweans, the sanctions were not targeted but sought to hurt the country’s economy as well its people.
“Many companies have closed down and workers have been laid off. Where the companies have remained active, their operations are way below their optimum capacity. I take joy in noting that despite the existence of the illegal sanctions, the Zimbabwe Military Academy has continued to carry out its mandate and responsibility of educating and training junior officers in order to provide the nation with future military leaders of exemplary character and loyalty,” said President Mugabe.
The President said the Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 3/28/10 curriculum had, among its subjects, a military relations package, which gave recruits an opportunity to visit Chimoio and Freedom Camp sites in Mozambique and Zambia.
He said the trips were meant to broaden the students’ comprehension of their country’s history.
“The visits were meant to allow the officer cadets to visualise the agonising and unforgettable journey that characterised the struggle for our independence and, consequently, enhance their understanding of the need to jealously and continuously safeguard our national independence and sovereignty,” said President Mugabe.
The other subjects carried in the curriculum included Arms Handling, Drill, Field Craft, Map Reading, Communications, Command and Leadership, Administration, Military Law and Service Writing.
Yesterday’s pass-out parade was the 28th edition held at ZMA since the country attained independence in 1980.
The rigorous officer cadet-training course, which commenced on 16 August 2010, had 155 students when it started.
The group had 150 Zimbabweans and five Namibians. Only 88 officer cadets managed to last the rigorous 23-month long military training course and graduated with Diplomas in Military Training and Education offered by ZMA in association with the Midlands State University at yesterday’s pass-out parade.
Among the newly graduated junior army officers were 11 females, one of them from Namibia.
President Mugabe awarded the sword of honour to the best recruit, Officer Cadet Wishes Manenji.
The commander of the Army’s Award went to Officer Cadet Judgment Karombo who came second and the Commandant’s Award was scooped by Officer Cadet Clever Mugari.
There was a special new award at this year’s pass-out parade, the Best Allied Student which went to Namibian officer cadet, Nelson Muesee.
President Mugabe applauded the new officers for persevering and remaining focused in their training, adding that the training prepared the officers for the stiff challenges of junior army officers ahead.
He said the officers’ resilience would serve the officers well throughout their military careers in defence of the country’s hard won independence and heritage.
The President also paid special tribute to the female graduates for managing to withstand the rigours of the course.
“In the process, the female students showed their male counterparts that given the opportunity, they could measure up to the task. I urge them to continue with that spirit throughout their entire careers in the military service. I have no doubt that they serve as an inspiration to other female counterparts who would like to join the hitherto so-called male domains, not only in the Defence Forces, but in other sectors of our national life as well.
“To our Namibian friends, we say you came, you saw and we are delighted by your graduation today. I urge you to go back and demonstrate that you received professional training that matches any other officer-training programme internationally.
As you return to Namibia, I urge you to be our honorary ambassadors, who are equipped to speak on the reputation of the Academy and Zimbabwe as a whole.
Namibia and Zimbabwe share a common history and remain bound by the common principles of self-determination and democracy,” said President Mugabe.
The President first inspected a seven-detachment parade while guests were kept enthralled by the officer cadets’ unique drill displays.
Among the guests who attended the pass- out parade were defence attachés from Namibia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and China.
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Midlands Governor Jason Machaya, Commander Defence Forces, General Constantine Chiwenga and other senior army and Government officials also graced the occasion.
Online Reporter