Gweru – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commissioned 202 officer cadets at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) after a rigorous course that had one trainee dying during training.
”It is my honour and privilege to preside over the graduation of Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 3/40/23. The Regular Officer Cadet Course remains one of the most physically and mentally demanding military courses, enabling graduands to deal with demands of the complex modern battlefields,” Mnangagwa said in his commissioning parade address at the ZMA in Gweru.
”From the initial enrolment of 250 candidates, drawn from the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe and two from Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, these 202 graduates, including 54 females and 148 males, made the grade. Two officer cadets from this course were seconded for Cadet Course Training in the Republic of Mozambique.”
”On a solemn note, we remember Officer Cadet Muzondo Joe Prosper, who passed on after the commencement of training. May His Soul Rest in Peace,” he added.
Mnangagwa said the 21 months military training course included artificial intelligence courses.
”These young officers diligently undertook the course programme which was divided into three phases being, basic military training; conventional warfare; and low intensity operations. The subjects covered included Skills at Arms; Fieldcraft; Command and Leadership; Military Law; Law of Armed Conflict and Civil Military elations, among other aspects,” he said.
Mnangagwa said the current 3/42/24 which is underway has members of South African national defence force.
”It is my expectation that programmes such military service demands the highest levels of professionalism, unflinching patriotism, loyalty and discipline. The call of duty always comes first. Your graduation confers on you, huge responsibilities associated with joining the ranks of officers, charged with the responsibility of commanding men and women, in circumstances of great peril,” he said.