Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) continues to take pride in its commitment to a gender-neutral recruitment policy, which has resulted in a significant number of female recruits graduating at its pass-out parades, ZNA Commander Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Matutu has said.
Lt-Gen Matutu was the reviewing officer at the passout-parade ceremony for recruit intake 38B/01/24 comprising of 495 general duty soldiers at Imbizo Barracks yesterday.
He said the army leadership was also charmed by the fact that the recruits were drawn from all the provinces of the country, as that helps the organisation to maintain its true national character.
The graduation ceremony had four companies, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta, with each company having 125 recruits.
Recruit course 38B/01/24 is the second of the three streams of intake 38B/01/24, having started training on December 16 last year with 500 recruits comprising of 374 males and 126 females although five recruits, one male and four females failed to complete the course.
“That we have 122 female graduates on parade today is clear testimony of our gender mainstreaming efforts. These young ladies will join the many that came before them and shatter the myth that the military career is for men only. I’m told, and I think we’ve seen that for ourselves, that these young ladies were equal to the challenge and they met their counterparts all the way,” said Lt-Gen Matatu.
Lt-Gen Matatu said discipline in the army was non-negotiable and said highest standards of professionalism and discipline from all members of the army was a top priority.
He said the defense of the nation requires men and women who are well-trained and proficient in the use of the tools of the trade, and adept in the application of the skills that are inculcated here, and be prepared to make sacrifices, even the supreme sacrifice for the country.
“I, as commander of Zimbabwe National Army, demand the highest standards.
of professionalism and discipline from all members the army.
The military career is not like a job at a factory where you clock in at 8am and you’re out at 5pm. Defense of a country requires us to be prepared at all times and I call upon you, the graduands, to take heed,” said Lt-Gen Matatu.
