Vice President’s Wife Leads in Military History as First Female Platoon Commander

Colonel Minnie Baloyi, wife of Zimbabwe’s Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga, has reflected on her trailblazing military career, recalling her historic achievement as the first female platoon commander in the world to be deployed on a peacekeeping mission in Angola in the late 1990s.

At the time, she was serving as a Lieutenant in the Zimbabwe National Army. Her deployment made global headlines, with her leadership earning recognition in both The Herald and the United Nations magazine.

Speaking as the nation celebrated Defence Forces Day, Colonel Baloyi said:

“As we celebrated Defence Forces Day yesterday, I reflected on the journey I travelled from the days of being a young military officer to the person I am today, and I’m so grateful to the commanders who assisted in shaping me into who I am. I’m also grateful to the organisation for allowing us to prove our worth regardless of gender.”

An extract from The Herald dated 12 August 1998 features her in a special “Women in the Army” article, written shortly after her return from Angola. The article highlighted her pioneering role as the first woman to command a peacekeeping platoon, a position that was virtually unheard of for women in the military at the time.

Her successful mission in Angola not only shattered gender barriers within the armed forces but also positioned Zimbabwe as a progressive contributor to international peacekeeping efforts.

Today, Colonel Baloyi’s story continues to inspire young women in uniform, proving that determination, skill, and leadership know no gender boundaries.