Zimbabwe Staff College visits The Chronicle

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
SENIOR military officers attending the 28th Joint Command and Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College visited The Chronicle yesterday as part of their course to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the country’s economic situation. The officers attending the special 12-month course are drawn from the various countries in the SADC region. They paid a courtesy visit to Zimpapers Bulawayo branch general manager Marks Shayamano before he led them on a tour of the branch.

Speaking after the tour, director of studies at Zimbabwe Staff College Colonel Steven Gwekwerere said the team of officers was visiting different institutions as part of their course.

“The course is aimed at developing the professional knowledge and understanding of selected officers in order to prepare them for the assumption of increased responsibilities both in command and staff appointments.

“The course has a capacity of 55 selected officers from the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, President’s Office and the SADC region,” said Col Gwekwerere.

He said the college is transforming its courses from the traditional military approach to a socio-economic approach to help officers understand how the economic challenges of the country impact on security.

“As part of the syllabus, the course covers geo-political studies. In line with this study, the course receives presentations from selected speakers from the public and private sectors.

“This later culminates in a study visit of the country’s agriculture, manufacturing and mining industries which contribute to the economy of the country.

“This study visit is aimed at broadening the students’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the link between industry and national security,” said Col Gwekwerere.

The officers, who will join Bulawayo for the 35th Independence celebrations on Saturday, have so far visited Datlabs, the National University of Science and Technology and the National Blankets.

They will also visit a few mines and some chiefs on the outskirts of Bulawayo to have a better understanding of the country’s values.