Online Reporter
Emmanuel Kafe
With drills complete, banners raised and marching boots polished, Zimbabwe today celebrates Defence Forces Day in a nationwide show of military precision and national pride.
President Mnangagwa will lead the main commemorations at Rufaro Stadium in Harare, while all 10 provinces stage their own events honouring the ZDF’s role in safeguarding sovereignty, peace and territorial integrity.
Across the country, soldiers and performers wrapped up final rehearsals yesterday, ensuring today’s parades and displays unfold with seamless coordination.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said from defending sovereignty to advancing regional peace, the ZDF has stood as a pillar of stability going beyond the country’s borders.
“Our President also challenged us to invest in the production of our own equipment. So, we have established a unit which works 24/7 to make sure that we produce our own so that we ourselves are sufficient.
“The world is changing; people are using technology, they are using drones, they are using missiles, reducing again the amount of exposure of using human beings. So, we are also researching on those developments,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri added that the ZDF has been instrumental in propelling the National Development Agenda.
“We have about 300 houses at Dzivaresekwa (in Harare). And I want to say that currently we have about 5 000 apartments that are being constructed at Dzivaresekwa.
“We have also assigned our officers so that in every cantonment area, they set aside 20 hectares which we are going to invest in the construction of accommodation for our forces,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said this year’s Defence Forces Day will spotlight both military capabilities and the human face of service.
