Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
ZIMBABWE’s election to a non-permanent two-year term on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term is a historic milestone and shows the country’s growing international stature and effective diplomacy, Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Commander Air Marshal John Jacob Nzvede has said.
Speaking at the graduation parade of the Number 47 Recruit Course and Junior Tactics Course at Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo (JZM) Air Force Base in Chegutu yesterday, Air Marshal Nzvede said the successful bid reflected strong international confidence in Zimbabwe’s leadership.
“I wish to congratulate His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, for leading the nation to securing a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. This is a historic victory which recognises the commitment by the President to advancing world peace and security,” he said.
Turning to the graduation, Air Marshal Nzvede said the joint ceremony underscored AFZ’s deliberate and structured approach to training, aimed at producing skilled and mission-ready personnel.
“This graduation ceremony offers a glimpse into the Air Force of Zimbabwe’s deliberate and incremental approach to training,” he said.
“Complex military skills are imparted in sequential steps to ensure we develop competent personnel who are capable of effectively carrying out their duties in defence of our motherland, Zimbabwe.”
Recruitment for the Number 47 Recruit Course, he said, was conducted in the first quarter of 2025, with trainees divided into two groups.
The first group completed training in November last year, while the second commenced training on December 12, 2025. A total of 341 recruits enrolled at the start of the programme, but three failed to meet the demanding physical and mental requirements, leaving 338 graduates — comprising 250 males and 88 females.
Air Marshal Nzvede commended the recruits for maintaining discipline and physical fitness during the waiting period before training commenced, describing their success as a demonstration of resilience and determination.
“The training has transformed these graduands into capable soldiers ready to serve alongside their superiors and counterparts. This injection of young members into the Air Force of Zimbabwe is a significant step in ensuring that our legacy of gallantry and excellence is carried forward by future generations,” he said.
The recruits underwent rigorous military and academic training, including physical fitness, drills, fieldcraft, weapon handling, map reading, voice procedure, first aid, conventional warfare, low-intensity operations, and military and international humanitarian law.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba; Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Deputy Commissioner-General Christina Manhivi, who represented Commissioner-General Dr Moses Chihobvu; officials from the Central Intelligence Organisation; members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and other invited guests.
