The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
MANICALAND Province today joined the nation in honouring the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for the peace prevailing in the country.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial and Devolution Affairs, Honourbale Nokhutula Matsikenyeri, service chiefs and a few Government officials converged at a local hotel for the virtual celebrations.
President Mnangagwa’s speech was broadcasted live on television.
The commemorations were held under the theme: ‘41 years of defence excellence’.
In his speech, President Mnangagwa commended the ZDF on its corporate social responsibility efforts.
“I commend the ZDF for its corporate social responsibility through continued utilisation of its abundant wide array of skilled personnel to contribute towards the socio-economic development of our country.
“This has seen various communities benefitting from the construction of bridges, schools and clinics, with some of the most recent projects being the construction of maternity wards at Mberengwa District Hospital, Neromwe Clinic in Chiredzi and two classroom blocks at Charleswood Primary School in Chimanimani District just to mention, but a few.
“To enhance the impact of the community assistance programme, the ZDF is applying the devolution concept to ensure that community assistance is aligned to provincial priorities,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, 3 Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General George Chitsva, said ZDF will continue to offer its excellent service to the community.
“As the country’s defence forces, we are today being remembered and honoured for our excellent service to the community. Apart from building classroom blocks at Chawatama and Charleswood primary schools, we are also rolling out vaccination programmes in Nyanga, Mahenye and Buhera,” he said.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators’ Manicaland chapter provincial chairperson, Cde Angeline Muponda said the day is all about celebrating the role played by the ZDF personnel in protecting and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
