Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
COLONEL Dr Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga made history as the only woman in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to command a platoon during a peacekeeping mission on foreign soil, Vice President
Dr Constantino Chiwenga said on Saturday.
VP Chiwenga made the revelation while celebrating his wife’s belated 50th birthday, which coincided with a family celebration of her attainment of a PhD.
He said Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga commanded a platoon in Angola under the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III (UNAVEM III) from October 1997 until the mission ended in 1998.
The achievement, he said, was among the defining moments of a military career that has since seen her rise to the rank of Colonel and take up the position of Director of Analysis at ZDF Headquarters.
“She is the only woman who commanded a platoon in a foreign peacekeeping operation,” said VP Chiwenga, reflecting on her deployment to Angola.
Then, Commander Zimbabwe National Army, VP Chiwenga recalled the then Commander in Chief former President Robert Mugabe welcoming her battalion at 23 Infantry Battalion in Magunje after the soldiers returned home following the conclusion of the mission.
The revelation about her peacekeeping role added a distinctive dimension to Saturday’s celebrations, which were otherwise centred on two personal milestones — her 50th birthday and the attainment of her doctorate.
From her early years as a military officer deployed on an international mission, Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga has gone on to establish herself across several fields, including military service, academia, international relations and business.
VP Chiwenga described her as a senior military officer, international relations and media expert, entrepreneur and scholar who speaks English, Ndebele, Shona, French, Chinese and Zulu.
Her military service has been recognised through several decorations, including the Independence Medal, 10 and 15 Years Long and Exemplary Service Medals and the DRC Campaign Medal.
Outside the military, she has built businesses under the Style by Minie Group of Companies, Chivaraidze Academy and Yummy Organic Foods, while also serving in corporate and national leadership roles.
But it was her journey from a young officer commanding troops in a foreign country to a senior military officer and scholar that provided a particularly poignant backdrop to the golden jubilee celebrations.
“At 50, she has every reason to celebrate, but knowing her, she will probably envision the next 50 years and beyond as another assignment,” said VP Chiwenga.
He also joked about life with a wife whose titles now include Colonel and Doctor.
“At home, sometimes I am simply the husband. Sometimes I am the husband of the Colonel. And these days, I must also remember that I am married to Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga,” he said.
Colonel Fungai Mapaya, who trained alongside Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga at the Zimbabwe Military Academy in 1996, described her as an inspiration to many of their coursemates.
Colonel Mapaya said although she was small in stature at the time, her determination during the demanding military training left a lasting impression on her colleagues.
He recalled that some soldiers would encourage each other during difficult exercises by saying they would soldier on and neither tire nor quit until “that small girl” had given up.
“Her determination inspired most of us. She was small in stature, but she had the heart and determination of a very strong soldier,” said Colonel Mapaya.
