Zimbabwe celebrates 45th ZDF Day with nationwide festivities

Zimpapers Writers

THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life yesterday joined the uniformed forces across the country to celebrate the 45th Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Day, a holiday set apart to honour and cherish the contribution made by the security sector in preserving national peace and development.

Provincial venues were a hive of activity from early morning hours until late afternoon as scores of people trooped in to watch the scintilating drills and marches presented by members of the police force, the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service.

In Bulawayo, long queues of people being ushered in at White City Stadium were seen as early as 8am while others were already seated on the terraces. Teams drawn from different segments of the uniformed forces, alongside drum majorettes marched from West Commonage to the main venue.

Ahead of the arrival of the guest of honour, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, spectators who included Bulawayo City Councillors led by Deputy Mayor Clr Edwin Ndlovu, legislators and Zanu-PF leaders witnessed the arrival of members of the Joint Operations Command led by Bulawayo District Commander, Brigadier General Cephas Gurira.

Minister Ncube later inspected the parade, which was mounted by the Zimbabwe National Army, which did slow and quick marches before doing military displays, which kept the crowd off their seats.

Before reading the Presidential speech, Minister Ncube presented Independence medals to 10 of the 200 recipients who were chosen from four different categories.

Among the recipients were Cde Vitaison Mpofu, Cde Loveletta Nkiwane, Cde Juliet Sibanda and Cde Richard Khehla, who received war veterans medals. Cde Sidumo Nkomo and Lennie Ndlovu were honoured as ex-political prisoners, detainees and restrictees while Cde Getrude Ndlovu and Tedious Msasa were given medals as non-combatants, an honour given to those who underwent military training but did not take part in actual battle.

Cde Tabitha Mguni and Cde Isaac Dakamela were honoured as war collaborators.
After the Presidential speech, various entertainment groups kept the celebrations alive ahead of the departure of the guest of honour and other dignitaries for lunch while everyone at the venue was served packed lunch.

This year’s celebrations were held under the theme: “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030.”

In the Midlands, scores of people thronged Mkoba Stadium in Gweru led by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, as the guest of honour, who also read the President’s speech.

Similarly, he inspected the guard, which was followed by a fly past in diamond formation that attracted wild cheers from the members of the public, who braved the early morning chilly weather to attend the event. The crowd was entertained by various military drills from four detachments, one of which comprised only female members of the uniformed forces.

The crowd was then treated to some poem from Hodzeko Arts and music and entertainment from different groups.
In separate interviews, members of the public praised the ZDF for their role in maintaining national peace, noting that this year’s Defence Forces Day was particularly special as it was celebrated under a new era brought about by the same forces.

In Matabeleland North, hundreds of people from the seven districts gathered at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane to celebrate the ZDF in a colourful event led by Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo, who was the guest of honour.

Notable attendees included Zanu-PF cadres such as Proportional Representation legislator, Cde Mail Nkomo, Lupane East MP Cde Phathisiwe Ncube-Machangu (Zanu-PF), Lupane West MP Mr Mxolisi Charles Sibanda (CCC), and Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director Mr Jabulani Mpofu. Also present were heads of various Government departments, service chiefs, the Zanu-PF leadership and Regent Chief, Zanele Mabhikwa.

In the afternoon, a soccer match was played between Lupane State University (LSU) and a ZDF Select team and a netball team pitting local teams. The event’s success was also made possible by Warrant Officer Class Two Khulumani Nkomo from the 12 Infantry Battalion in Hwange and Permanent Sibanda, the Zanu-PF District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) chairman for Lupane District, who were the directors of ceremony.

In Matabeleland South, ZDF celebrations began with a march to Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda District with the uniformed forces keeping the crowd large crowd entertained.

Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, read the President’s speech.

He went on to present Independence medals to war veterans, war collaborators and non-combatants in recognition of their sacrifice in liberating the country.

A total of 200 veterans of the liberation struggle from the province received medals. Service chiefs, political leaders, civil servants, faith leaders, traditional leaders, residents and school children attended the event.