Story by Tafara Chikumira
OFFICER Cadets commissioned at the Zimbabwe Military Academy this Friday are looking forward to safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity in line with the demands of their newly-found profession.
Military training over the world is not a walk in the park as the exercise is marred by gruelling experiences meant to prepare the uniformed forces for real war situations.
For 22 months, the Officer Cadets commissioned this Friday had to go through several drills and experiences, a journey that was not easy judging by the statistics which prove that of the 250 students who commenced the course, only 202 managed to finish the voyage.
“The course commenced training with a total of 250 candidates comprising 183 from the Zimbabwe National Army, 65 from the Airforce of Zimbabwe and two officer cadets, one male and one female from Umbutfo Eswathini Defence Force. Overall, the total enrolment had 73 female and 177 male students. 46 officer cadets comprising 27 male and 19 female officer cadets could not cope with the rigorous demands of cadet training and fell by the wayside while two officer cadets were seconded to the Republic of Mozambique for an exchange cadet training programme,” Zimbabwe Military Academy’s Commandant Brigadier General Crispen Nduku said.
The Commissioned Officer Cadets concur their journey was gruelling, pledging to defend their country at all costs.
“We have managed to be here today due to the Grace of God. All I can promise Zimbabwe is that I am ready to stand as a soldier and make my country proud.”
Parents and guardians of the commissioned officer cadets say they feel relieved as their loved ones begin a new journey.
“I am a proud parent today. For the first time in my life, I saw my son being called up and having a handshake with the President. This has never happened in my clan,” a parent said.
Officer Cadet Danmore Matsenhuke was crowned the overall best student due to his outstanding performances throughout the training programme.
The regular officers’ cadet commissioning parade is the 40th graduation ceremony held at the military academy since the country attained independence in 1980.
