Zimbabwe celebrated its 45th Defence Forces Day this Tuesday with heartfelt tributes and renewed pledges of vigilance.
In her speech at the 45th Zimbabwe Defence Forces commemorations, the Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, reflected on the milestone achievements by the defence forces in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, and independence.
“The ZDF renews its oath to continue delivering peace and tranquillity, guaranteeing the fulfillment of Vision 2030 to establish an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income economy. As we commemorate 2025 Defence Forces Day, we are doing so under the backdrop of a rapidly mutating and complex operational environment, largely occasioned by shifting geopolitical dynamics, characterised by tensions and mistrusts between and among nations.
“In addition to battling against traditional security threats, we have to contend with emerging non-traditional security threats in the form of cyber-crimes, terrorism, recurrent climate change-induced disasters, proliferation of fake news, human and drug trafficking, just to mention a few. Your Excellency, given the complex nature of the defence and security environment, Your Ministry is focused on modernising and upgrading national defence capabilities to remain versatile, adaptable, and keep abreast with rapidly changing developments,” she said.
From the guns of liberation to the bricks of development, Zimbabwe’s Defence Forces have walked a journey not of power, but of purpose.
“Your Excellency, under your astute guidance, you have taught us to be a self-reliant force. Production at Zimbabwe Defence Industries is being revamped to satisfy the demand for military consumables by your force. Our farms around the country not only meet our food needs, but also contribute to national food security.
“Plans are afoot to establish an entity to provide commercial construction services to the public. Your aspirations for lasting peace and security resonate well with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly with regard to the continental body’s objective of silencing the guns in Africa by ending all forms of wars, conflicts, and gender based violence and displacements.
“It can never be overemphasised that peace and security are a foundation for sustainable socio-economic development.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 Zimbabwe Defence Forces skilled personnel in partnership with well-wishers and communities. The Community Assistance Programme is consistent with your desire to inspire new heroes to champion national developmental aspirations as articulated by your development philosophy “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo”.
The projects are part of peacetime operations by your army and cement the symbiotic fish and water relationship between the people’s army and the communities,” she added.
Today, they stand not only as sentinels of sovereignty, but as architects of our collective future, bridging the past and the promise of tomorrow. We honour their legacy and the path they continue to forge for us all.
