Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)’s Ordnance and Transport Training School has been commended for strengthening gender inclusivity through the deliberate enrolment of serving female officers, a move seen as advancing fairness by addressing the different needs and experiences of men and women.
Speaking during a combined graduation ceremony for nine logistics courses at Khumalo Barracks in Bulawayo yesterday, Quartermaster Staff Colonel Tryvern Nkoma said the school’s approach aligns with the Zimbabwe Gender Commission’s policy, which promotes equality, equity and inclusivity across all sectors, including education and employment.
A total of 271 officers, among them 54 women, completed courses that included basic cookery, food and beverage services, senior catering management, basic stores management, intermediate stores management, procurement junior non-commissioned officers’ management, basic learner driver training, recovery operations and mechanical transport senior non-commissioned officers’ administration.
“I am delighted to recognise the presence of a number of female students. I urge the school to continue enrolling female serving members in line with the Zimbabwe Gender Commission policy, which emphasises promoting equality, equity and inclusivity,” said Col Nkoma.
“This approach further acknowledges the different needs and experiences of men and women to achieve fairness.”
Col Nkoma said the courses fall under four Quartermaster Staff–sponsored corps: Ordnance, Transport, Procurement and Electrical, Mechanical and Engineering (EME). Three of the graduating courses, including catering and two stores courses, were run under Ordnance, while transport-related programmes included the senior non-commissioned officers’ administration course and the Basic Learner Driver’s Course.
The procurement junior non-commissioned officers’ course was overseen by the Directorate of Procurement, and the recovery operations course was conducted by the EME Corps.
The graduates included six officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, nine from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service and six from the Ministry of Defence.
Col Nkoma said the courses fulfil the 2025 Zimbabwe National Army Training Directive, aligned with the QS Branch Performance Management Directive, both of which underscore training as central to building competence, strengthening knowledge and ensuring adherence to organisational policies and standards.
He noted that all graduands met the required standards except for two who were returned to their units on medical grounds and for absence without leave.
Col Nkoma also lauded ongoing efforts to modernise the curriculum, with the nine logistics courses recently updated to include contemporary subjects such as Civil–Military Relations, Security Awareness, Crime Prevention, First Aid, and Asymmetric and Cyber Warfare. The Army HQ Training Branch also ensured strict implementation of the Physical Fitness Policy.
“Such continuous reviews of training syllabi are prudent to enhance relevance, engagement, integration and training outcomes,” said Col Nkoma.
