Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika and Tonderai Mtatabikwa
THE Minister of Defence, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, has called on the nation to reflect on the courage and determination exhibited by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as they put their lives on the line in defending Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby contributing to national development.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri made the remarks at the Defence Headquarters yesterday while officially announcing the commencement of the ZDF Community Assistance Week.
During the week, the ZDF showcases its corporate social responsibility of aiding civil communities during peace time, chief among them construction of schools, clinics, footbridges and medical outreach programmes.
Traditionally, the Community Assistance Week comes before the Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day celebrations, which this year will be held on 11 and 12 August.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the ZDF remained a critical component in the country’s development trajectory and agenda.
“The nation of Zimbabwe will be celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day on August 12 at Rufaro Stadium in Harare to recognise and celebrate the contribution of gallant men and women in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, whose constitutional mandate is to guarantee peace and stability in our dear nation as we inch towards the attainment of Vision 2030,’’ she said.
The Community Assistance projects were undertaken in line with the ZDF secondary roles of military assistance to civilian ministries and communities and span infrastructure construction and rehabilitation as well as rendering necessary assistance during natural disasters and drought mitigation interventions.
As the ZDF rendered this noble assistance, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the forces worked in collaboration with other Government ministries, departments and agencies.
The ZDF community assistance programme is in the spirit of giving back to the communities, which are the source of military sustenance and pride as prescribed in the fish and water co-existence analogy.
“We get recruits from the community, we operate within the community and we retire back into the community,’’ Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
Turning to preparations for the celebrations, the minister said they are now at an advanced stage and are progressing well. Provincial celebrations will be conducted at the traditional venues countrywide.
Elsewhere, the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu, yesterday handed over a double storey state-of-the-art eight-classroom block to Warren Park Six Primary School in Harare.
Lt General Matatu was representing Commander Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
The school assembled all the required resources, while the ZDF provided construction artisans.
Gen Sibanda said collaboration was key to national development.
“We are gathered here to witness the benefits and positive outcome of cooperation, collaboration, synergy and unity of purpose among stakeholders. Such projects resonate with the national vision,’’ he said.
Gen Sibanda said the ZDF remained committed not only to guaranteeing peace and stability for the citizens, but also playing an active role in national development efforts.
“Communities are a vital part of our existence for in them is our cradle, our recruitment base, and also the haven to which we all retire. It is therefore imperative that we pay homage through social responsibility. This is in tandem with our secondary role of military assistance to civil ministries and communities in need of assistance,’’ he said.
With requisite infrastructure, communities and nation at large are able to attain education as one of the Millenium Development Goals and gaining traction in pursuit of Vision 2030.
The Commander of the Presidential Guard Brigade, Brigadier-General Fidelis Mhonda, whose Engineer Squadron provided the skilled artisans who built the block, said the ZDF will remain open to community assistance whenever called upon.
“As an organisation, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has a mandate not only to provide security to the nation but also to provide assistance to civil communities, together we can build our nation,” he said.
The school headmaster, Mr Michael Ndoro, called on institutions having difficulties in accomplishing projects to approach the ZDF for assistance.
