Mnangagwa demands “unflinching patriotism and loyalty” from young soldiers
GWERU – President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), has called on young soldiers to exhibit unflinching patriotism and loyalty as they begin their careers in the military.
Speaking at the commissioning parade of the Regular Officer Cadet Course 3/39/22 at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) in Gweru on Friday, President Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of discipline, sacrifice, dependability, and selflessness in serving the nation.
The President commissioned 182 Officer Cadets, including 138 males and 44 females, who have completed their training at the academy.
He commended them for their decision to join the Defence Forces, saying it was a noble calling that required the highest standards of honor and integrity.
Mnangagwa reminded the young soldiers that serving in the Defence Forces was not just a job, but a life of service to the nation, and that they must always put the interests of the country and its people ahead of personal interests.
“The resolve to achieve your aspirations along with the leadership qualities you exhibited during training have earned you the right to be commissioned in the Zimbabwe National Army.
“Your decision to join the Defence Forces in the officers’ corps is commendable and a noble calling which should never be taken lightly,” Mnangagwa said.
“As Commander in Chief, I demand unflinching patriotism and loyalty, while discipline, sacrifice, dependability and selflessness must be exhibited at all times.
“Serving in the Defence Forces is a life of service to our great nation and entails placing the interests of our people and country ahead of personal interests. This calls for the highest standards of honour and integrity amongst you.
“Always remember that you are not just joining an organisation; you are becoming part of a broader family which also thrives on honour, respect, courage, decisiveness, dependability, initiative and tact.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces should always defend the secure and stable environment, which is necessary for the attainment of our Vision to become an upper middle-income economy by 2030.”
The Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 3/39/22, which commenced training on July 18, 2022, had an initial enrolment of 220 candidates, but 38 students dropped out due to ill health, voluntary resignation, and indiscipline.
The course covered a range of subjects, including drill, skill at arms, map reading, field craft, leadership, command, and administration, military law, and introduction to information communication technology.
“As per the norm, the course’s training programme was divided into 3 distinct phases in order to systematically accomplish the desired training objectives.
“Overall, the syllabus develops the officer cadets’ character, command and leadership skills as well as evaluates their officer potential in military service as regular officers in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“Subjects covered by the Course include Drill, Skill at Arms, Map Reading, Field Craft, Voice Procedure, Leadership, Command and Administration, Military Law, Law of Armed Conflict, Conventions of Service Writing, First Aid, Civil Military Relations and and Introduction to Information Communication Technology,” Mnangagwa added.
Despite being the Commander in Chief of the ZDF, Mnangagwa’s controversial relationship with the military ensured his rise to power in 2017 when the army overthrew the late former President Robert Mugabe through a coup.
