Story by Patience Nyagato
More than 60 Defence and Security officers graduated with Diplomas at a ceremony held at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare this Friday. The college is an affiliate of the Zimbabwe National Defence University.
At a time of heightened global conflicts, the Zimbabwe National Defence University is committed to providing solutions fostering peace and unity in the region through advanced training courses.
This came out at the 16th graduation ceremony of the Diploma in Defence and Security Studies in Harare this Friday.
Vice Chancellor & Commandant, Air Vice Marshall Michael Tedzani Moyo said, “Today’s graduation therefore marks an important milestone for the ZNDU in this transformation trajectory which seeks to establish a solid academic foundation in defence and security studies through its strategic plan and compel the requirements by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education. The university has organized its intellectual trajectory to embrace high academic standards which are unparalleled, by its values that align with the ZIMCHE values, namely Zimbabwe’s first pan-Africanism, leadership, strategic thinking, knowledge driven, and liberation efforts, and this includes Zimbabwe’s minimum board of knowledge provisions.
“These values anchor the ZNDU’s transformative journey towards its contribution to the development of comprehensive practical solutions for emerging global security challenges. By combining critical thinking, research, and innovative mindsets with technical know-how, the university aims to produce competent graduates with relevant knowledge and skills that will contribute to the attainment of Vision 2030 through the implementation of the Health and Education 5.0 philosophy.”
The Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who was Guest of Honour at the event, said the country is committed to contributing towards global peace and security.
“The holding of this summit is a clear demonstration of the regional leadership’s commitment to provide solutions to challenges that affect peace and security in the region. It also demonstrates the regional bloc’s commitment towards the realisation of the African Union’s aspiration for a peaceful and secure Africa as captured under the AU Agenda 2063. One of the SADC’s goals is to create a peaceful and secure Africa. As one of the SADC member states, Zimbabwe is proud that it has remained up to date with its financial obligations and payments under SAMIDRC. It was the same also for SAMI Mozambique and also its annual assessed contributions to SADC as a bloc. It was the same also for SAMI DRC as a bloc. Thus providing leadership in the quest for peace and security in the region, which does not come cheap at all.”
She added, “This graduation ceremony is also taking place under conditions of a rapidly mutating geopolitical environment, which is characterised by tension and mistrust, which has even seen an appetite from the leading countries of wanting to embark on a Third World War which is characterised by tension and mistrust, collective efforts against cross-border crime and other security threats. The war in Ukraine and between Israel and Palestine has destabilized the world to a very great extent, causing, in the process, untold suffering to many people and compromising human security. Zimbabwe as a member of the global community remains committed to contributing towards peace and security as guided by His Excellency, our President’s philosophy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none. This is reflected in the National Defence Policy that seeks to effectively safeguard Zimbabwe’s independence.”
For the students it was a time of jubilation as they prepare to contribute to development of the country.
Student representative, Major Primrose Rupanga said, “Our faculty and staff have been instrumental in equipping us with critical thinking skills necessary to address complex defence and security challenges. We are forever indebted to your guidance. I would also like to take this moment to congratulate our fellow graduates from the Southern African Development Community countries, East and West Africa The diversity you brought to this academic journey enriched our perspectives and demonstrated the power of collaboration across borders. Together, we have proven that unity and shared purpose transcends geographic and cultural divides.
“To our families, we offer gratitude for your sacrifices and steadfast encouragement. You have walked this journey with us, providing strength during challenging times and celebrating each triumph along the way. Lastly, to all graduates, congratulations on this momentous achievement. Today is a demonstration of our resilience, diligence, and dedication. As we step into the next chapter of our lives, let us carry forward the lessons learned and the values instilled during our time here. May we serve as the earth of excellence and integrity in all that we do.”
The graduating course comprised officers from the ZDF (ZNA and AFZ) and allied students from countries such as SA, Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria and Eswatini.
Plans are on course to establish a solid academic foundation in defence and security studies, with the college set to offer a degree in the same field to come up with practical solutions for emerging global security challenges.
