In his address at the 46th Defence Forces Day commemorations, President Mnangagwa lauded the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for consistently mirroring the collective wishes, values, and aspirations of the nation since the country gained independence.
Reflecting on the journey since 1980, the President emphasized that the men and women of the ZDF have steadfastly carried forward the legacy of the liberation struggle, embodying the courage, principles, and ideals of the freedom fighters who preceded them.
“Following the attainment of our Independence in 1980, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have remained a true reflection of the wishes, aspirations and values of our people,” he said. “46 years after Independence, the men and women of the ZDF continue to uphold and embody the values, principles and ideals of those who fought courageously in the liberation struggle.”
The President also highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts to deepen strategic defence collaborations, noting that these international partnerships are bolstering Zimbabwe’s capacity to protect national sovereignty while also contributing meaningfully to regional and global peace and stability.
On internal reforms, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to cultivating a highly professional, disciplined, and loyal officer corps within the defence forces. He added that Zimbabwe is actively integrating science, technology, and innovation into military operations to keep pace with the evolving nature of modern warfare and emerging security threats.
“To this end, we remain committed to building a professional, disciplined and loyal officer corps within our Defence Forces,” he stated. “We are also enhancing the application of science, technology and innovation in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, in line with the demands of modern warfare and emerging security challenges.”
The President noted that this year’s commemorations coincide with Zimbabwe’s continued contributions to international peacekeeping efforts worldwide. He further revealed that the Government is accelerating the modernisation and re-equipping of national defence systems to ensure the ZDF remains fully capable of executing its constitutional mandate effectively.
