Midweek Reporter
HARARE: President Mnangagwa has commended the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for undertaking various social responsibility projects which have a positive impact on the general populace.
Delivering his keynote address during the 45th Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the President said the ZDF continues to undertake social responsibility projects which are having transformational impact on the people at community level.
“It is exemplary that our Defence Forces continues to undertake social responsibility projects which are having a transformational impact on our people at community level. The 2025 Defence Forces community assistance week which preceded these commemorations saw the handover of various community projects undertaken by the Defence Forces throughout the country. Others are at various stages of completion, including 29 projects in the education sector and four clinics in the health sector,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said government ministries, departments and agencies are also receiving support from the Defence Forces.
Mnangagwa also congratulated the Defence Forces for successfully making Manicaland province a landmine free territory.
He also extended his gratitude to development partners and national humanitarian demining organisations for the financial and material support extended for the programme.
In her remarks, Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the community projects undertaken by the uniformed forces cement the symbiotic relationship between the military and the public.
“In line with tradition, the 2025 commemorations commenced with the launch of community assistance projects from 28 July to 7 August 2025. The completed projects which include schools and clinics were constructed free of charge by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces skilled personnel in partnership with well wishers and communities. The projects are part of peeks time operations by your army and airforce and cements the symbiotic fish and water relationship between the people’s army and the communities,” Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
Harare’s Rufaro Stadium played host to this year’s Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day main celebrations where scores of people thronged to witness enthralling military drills.
Ministers of Provincial Affairs presided over the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations at other nine provincial centres across the country.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day was set aside to honour the uniformed forces for defending the country’s sovereignty, and maintaining peace and order in the country, among other duties.
This year’s Defence Forces Day celebrations run under the theme, “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing peace and stability for the attainment of vision 2030.”
Vice Presidents General (RTD) Constantino Chiwenga and Colonel (Rtd) Kembo Mohadi, Zambia Defence Forces officials and senior Government officials graced the 45th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations.
