Online Reporter
Herald Reporters
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans yesterday thronged stadiums across the country to commemorate the 46th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day anniversary, with colourful military parades and disciplined displays highlighting the armed forces’ role in safeguarding national peace and supporting development.
Celebrations were held under the theme; “ZDF Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030”.
While the main programme took place in Harare, provincial centres hosted parallel events where ministers read the President’s speech.
In Bulawayo, thousands gathered at White City Stadium for the provincial celebrations, featuring military precision, cultural performances and parades.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube inspected the guard of honour before delivering the President’s message.
Families, veterans, youth and senior officials arrived early, with many already inside the stadium by 8am. The programme began with the National Anthem, followed by inspection of the guard of honour mounted by members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) One Infantry Brigade.
Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza inspects the parade at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare yesterday. – Picture: Nyasha Chawatama.
In Matabeleland South, residents turned out at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda. The programme started with a march through the provincial capital to the venue.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, the guest of honour, inspected a parade consisting of four detachments of 27 members each, as well as the ZNA School of Music and military band.
He later read the President’s speech, emphasising the importance of peace and stability for national development. The celebrations also included recognition of liberation struggle supporters, with medals awarded to 20 non-combatant cadres and war collaborators.
In Matabeleland North, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo presided over celebrations at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane.
Hundreds of residents, traditional leaders, Government officials, service chiefs and veterans attended. Minister Moyo read the President’s speech as military displays and local musical performances entertained the crowd.
In the Midlands, provincial ZDF Day celebrations at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe were led by Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube. He inspected the guard of honour and delivered the President’s message to a crowd of officials, service chiefs, Zanu PF leaders, traditional leaders and members of the public.
The event featured cultural entertainment, including the Mbada Traditional Dance Group, a military traditional dance outfit from the ZNA’s 5 Infantry Brigade.
The festivities also reflected defence forces’ community support programmes, including the handover of a classroom block at Mapfungautsi Secondary School in Gokwe-Mapfungautsi last week.
In Mashonaland East, thousands packed Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera. By 7am, the venue was already full as artists entertained the crowds.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo reads the President’s speech at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera yesterday. – Picture: Victor Maphosa.
The commemorations were officiated by Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, who inspected the guard of honour before uniformed forces performed slow and quick marches. Advocate Ndudzo then read the 2026 Defence Forces Day commemorations speech, followed by the singing of the National Anthem.
In Mashonaland West province, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by personnel from the Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo (JZM) Air Force Base and Inkomo Mechanised Brigade.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo inspects the parade in Chinhoyi yesterday.
JZM Air Force Base Commander Air Commodore Ellen Chiweshe, Inkomo Mechanised Brigade Commander Brigadier-General Steward Kufa and Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Deputy Minister Jennifer Mhlanga were among senior officials who attended the commemorations, which attracted thousands of people. The celebrations also featured a football match between Chinhoyi-based FC Oden and army side Crocodile FC, which ended one-nil in favour of the latter. A capacity crowd thronged Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo yesterday in defiance of the cold weather to join the rest of the nation to celebrate Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day in style.
It was a day to remember for the people of Masvingo as merry-making dominated proceedings to mark the day reserved for honouring the nation’s defence forces. Proceedings to mark the day started with a parade comprising detachments from 4 Infantry Brigade marching to Mucheke, drawing onlookers by the road side.
Around mid-morning,the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira arrived at the stadium accompanied by service chiefs. He then inspected the parade accompanied by 4 Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Colonel Austin Chavani.
Minister Chadzamira then read the Presidential speech before the crowd was treated to perfect marches in quick and slow time by the parade.
The Minister then led service chiefs and other senior officials in conferring medals to over 200 ex-detainees, ex-restrictees and war collaborators for their role in the country’s independence.
The crowd was then treated to a mock battle by 4 Infantry Brigade soldiers involving a hostage rescue operation.
Proceedings to mark the day continued late into the day with a soccer match pitting a 4 Infantry Brigade soccer team and Masvingo United.
Overall, the nationwide celebrations reaffirmed the ZDF’s meaning as both a guarantor of security and a partner in Zimbabwe’s wider development agenda as the country drives toward Vision 2030.
