peterRutendo Nyeve, Features Reporter
THE month of August will forever remain special in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) calendar. It is the month in which the nation set it out to honour the fearless men and women who were and are determined from the hinterland, trained not to sleep and only rest when time permits.
These men and women left their families and friends to protect their motherland.
Through the hot sun and harsh weathers, they never despair when duty calls.
Ahead of the sun rays of the last light and in ravaged camouflage they sit on top of a hill watching the sun going down with their last hope as a dimming candle light.
With the birds of the air staring at them while they sling their rifles they whistle to the nature with the new day expected to bring fortunes and anticipation.
A rumbling sound of a head of buffaloes while at times the birds will be humming and lions roaring, they continue with rummage in pursuit of the protection of the country and its citizens.
Annually, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) celebrates its day on the second Tuesday of every August and these are held throughout the country.
Over the years, these celebrations have evolved into a culture where the ZDF showcases various community projects that it undertakes throughout the country in what they have termed the ZDF Community Assistance Programme.
The events are held a week before the ZDF Celebrations Day.
Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North Provinces joined other provinces last week that saw a hive of activity as defence personnel descended on the usually quiet dusty streets of KoSipepa in Tsholotsho and Watershed in Mangwe.
Military convoys became a common sight on the roads as defence officers deployed for what arguably became one of the biggest military community assistance programmes to be held in these provinces.
This is because at its inception, the ZDF Community assistance programme focused on short term projects, such as general cleaning of public places, repairs and refurbishment of public facilities.
However, the demand for high impact in public facilities surged according to the ZDF hence they shifted the paradigm towards bigger and more impactful projects.
The areas of education and health were targeted, owing to the realisation that literacy and good health were key enablers to general community development.
As such, this year the impactful projects included the construction of a classroom block at Watershed Primary School in Mangwe District, which was handed over on Friday, construction of Mbamba Clinic in Tsholotsho District, a classroom block at Makotshe Primary school in Insiza District, Ngwana Clinic in Bulilima District as well as major renovation works at Mpilo General Hospital in Bulawayo, among others.
Understandably, some people began to speculate on the reasons for the soldiers’ increased presence in different parts of the country. A lot of conspiracy and counter conspiracy theories became the order of the day.
The worst fears of the less informed were however put to rest when the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri officially handed over a maternity ward at Mberengwa District Hospital.
The Commander of Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Elson Moyo handed over Nerumwe Clinic in Chiredzi, while the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General David Sigauke handed over a classroom block at Chakadini Primary School in Chihota.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of War Veterans and Defence Ambassador Mark Marongwe handed over a classroom block at Sipepa Primary School in Tsholotsho while Major General Hlanganani Dube handed over yet another classroom block at Watershed Primary school in Mangwe district this Friday.
It became an opportunity for communities to understand that contrary to the understanding that the organisation specialises in war, it is actually a revered organisation that has a reputable record of professionalism, loyalty, patriotism and commitment to duty within the region and beyond with marked and impactful footprints.
Handing over a classroom block at Sipepa Primary School on Thursday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of War Veterans and Defence Ambassador Mark Marongwe spoke of how the defence forces dedicated their commitment and expertise to Sipepa Primary School that unravelled their relationship with various communities countrywide.
“Realising the shortage of learning space at this school, parents, represented by the School Development Committee, local Member of Parliament, Retired Major General S Khumalo and the Councillor of Ward 1, Moyo, approached Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade, with a proposal for the construction of the classroom block.
The Commander 1 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Josphat Kudumba positively responded to the request, leading to the commencement of construction activities on 8 June 2021.
The deployment of ZNA artisans to assist in this project aptly demonstrates the symbiotic relationship existing between the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the communities within which they operate,” said Ambassador Marongwe.
While emphasising the gesture to the new dispensation’s mantra of not leaving anyone and no place behind, Ambassador Marongwe said the strong bond can be traced back to the time of the liberation struggle and was now being nurtured for posterity.
“It is noteworthy here that the criteria used to choose deserving projects is based on whether the community is less privileged or disadvantaged for one reason or another.
This is in sync with His Excellency, the President’s thrust under the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030 of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
Meanwhile, handing over yet another classroom block at Watershed Primary School at Mangwe district in Matabeleland South Province, Chief of Staff (Quartermaster Staff) Major-General Hlanganani Dube reiterated through a quote from a renowned Chinese strategist that the community assistance programmes carried out by the country’s military was testimony of the lucrative relationship that the forces have with communities.
“Ladies and gentleman, the project we are seeing today is a clear testimony of the good relations that exist between this community and the Zimbabwe National Army.
Mao Zedong the great Chinese strategist said, I quote ‘the popular masses are like water and the army is like a fish.
A fish out of water cannot survive’.
In the same vein, the existence of the ZDF remains anchored in close ties with our communities without whose support it would be difficult for us as the military to accomplish most of our constitutional obligations.
Such cooperation is fundamental in fostering peace and promoting a favourable environment for socio-economic development in line with the aspirations of the new dispensation,” said Major General Dube.
Furthermore, the provision of free skilled labour by the military translates to a significant reduction in the total cost of projects.–@nyeve14
Online Reporter