Defence forces unite Africa
THE Zimbabwe Staff College is helping to foster regional unity and assisting Harare in maintaining cordial relations with Sadc and the rest of Africa, President Mugabe has said.
He has also commended China for providing professional training staff and equipment, saying joint training is key to unity among participating nations. The President was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 56 students who completed the Joint Command and Staff Course Number 29 at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare yesterday.
“I note with great satisfaction the critical role that the Zimbabwe Defence College plays in maintaining cordial relations through the enrolment of students from Sadc and African Union Member States.
“The college in its next intake will widen its Joint Command and Staff Course catchment area to include students from Kenya. It has always been my Government’s wish to see the college enrolling more students from Sadc and beyond as doing so will further enhance our existing co-operation as African states, while at the same time nurturing mutual trust among the defence forces.”
President Mugabe commended the Zimbabwe Staff College for reviewing its courses in line with the changing geo-political environment.
“The Zimbabwe Staff College continuously reviews its course curriculum to align it with the prevailing geo-political environment. On September 10, 2016, the college celebrated the International Culture Week, a celebration that was an appreciation of African cultural diversity and richness.
“An important cultural component of the course provided students with an opportunity to interact with Chiefs Chingombe and Nemashakwe of Gutu. Interaction with the two traditional leaders and their communities among other culture promoting activities of the course went a long way in inculcating an appreciation of our culture by the Defence Forces trainees.”
The President also said: “The geo-political studies package of the Defence Course saw trainees embark on a one-week external study tour to Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria and Namibia. The external study tour was aimed at broadening students’ conceptualisation and comprehension of the countries’ political, socioeconomic, cultural, military and architectural potentials as well as the status of their civil-military relations.
“The college has, in addition to its traditional Service Papers, and beginning this year, introduced research projects for its students. This development is a step towards fulfilling global academic standards which enable students to conduct universal research, consonant with international academic practice. The conduct of research at this level not only equips the students with basic academic research skills, but also prepares them for further studies at the Bachelor level in Defence and Security Studies.”
Of the 56 students who graduated, 27 were from the Zimbabwe National Army, nine from the Air Force of Zimbabwe, two from the President’s Department and one each from the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.
Others were from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa. One student came from Nigeria, marking the beginning of military cooperation between the West African giant and Zimbabwe. The graduation ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, senior Government officials and service chiefs.