By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
When Zimbabwe’s founding fathers forged a new nation in 1980, they envisioned a defence force that would not only protect the country’s borders but also embody the aspirations and values of the people it served.
Forty-six years later, that vision is evolving into something far more ambitious.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is quietly undergoing a transformation. Under the theme “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030,” the 46th Defence Forces Day commemorations at Rufaro Stadium on Tuesday marked a significant pivot — from a traditional military focused solely on territorial defence to a multi-dimensional institution directly contributing to the country’s socio-economic development agenda.
“Zimbabwe is expediting the modernisation of defence systems and capabilities,” President Emmerson Mnangagwa told the nation. “Our goal is to safeguard peace, stability and the new national development trajectory, through a realigned security architecture that reinforces progress and realisation of Vision 2030”.
The shift reflects a broader understanding that in the modern era, security and development are inseparable.
A Holistic Role for a People’s Army
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri captured this expanded mandate succinctly: “The ZDF plays a very critical role in creating a peaceful and stable environment for any economic, political and social activity to take place in Zimbabwe”.
The Ministry of Defence falls under the Good Governance, Institution Building, Peace and Security pillar of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), with priorities including strengthening peace, security and social cohesion, inclusive service delivery, governance and accountability.
The stability provided by the ZDF, the Minister noted, has been the foundation for economic recovery and growth. Zimbabwe’s economy expanded by eight percent in 2025, inflation remained in single digits, and investment increased across mining, agriculture, manufacturing and energy sectors.
Beyond its core defence mandate, the ZDF has launched nine flagship projects across the country this year, comprising eight schools and one Civil Registry Office.
The Community Assistance Programme, which began in 2001 as a modest effort focused on cleaning and maintenance, has matured into a nationwide drive building clinics, schools, housing and providing free health services to underserved communities.
“The ZDF members come from the community and at the end of our service, we return to the community,” said Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu, during a recent handover of a classroom block at Warren Park 6 Primary School.
“We live within the community and we carry out projects that benefit members of the communities as and when they are required”.
From Food Production to Agro-Processing
Agriculture is the new frontier. President Mnangagwa has challenged the ZDF to go beyond guaranteeing national food security through its institutional farms and venture into agro-processing and the export of high-value agricultural products.
“With increased capacity and output, I call upon the Forces to also establish agro-processing ventures as well as the export of high-value agro-products,” the President said.
This call aligns with the Government’s broader thrust of increasing value addition and beneficiation across productive sectors.
Defence Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri noted that Zimbabwe is already seeing progress in this area. Zimbabwe Defence Industries and the Zimbabwe National Defence University are reportedly collaborating with the army to produce military hardware, tractors and other agricultural equipment under the Education 5.0 model.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “Very soon, they will partner with other countries and local institutions so that we build our own capabilities, defend our sovereignty, save foreign currency and create jobs”.
Science, Technology and Innovation
The transformation extends beyond agriculture. The President has directed the ZDF to boldly reconfigure training models and methodologies to optimise the application of science and technology.
“We must strengthen cyberspace security and anticipate the impact of artificial intelligence on the defence and security sector,” President Mnangagwa said. “The relevant units should be strengthened, or established where necessary to increase combat readiness in respect of contemporary military trends”.
The Zimbabwe National Defence University is already responding. At its seventh graduation ceremony on 7 August, Vice Chancellor Air Vice Marshal Michael Moyo revealed that the university had registered three patents with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation. Following an exhibition at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, the university received three collaboration proposals and is currently discussing Memoranda of Understanding with prospective partners.
The ZNDU is also introducing degree programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security and Mechatronics to build the human capital needed for a technologically advanced defence sector.
These developments support President Mnangagwa’s vision of a “vibrant science and technology driven National Defence Industry”.
Disaster Preparedness and Response
Climate change has added another layer to the ZDF’s evolving mandate. The defence forces now play a critical role in disaster preparedness and response, including drought relief logistics and search-and-rescue operations.
“We remain the first responders in drought relief logistics and search and rescue operations,” Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
The ZDF has established a standalone Climate Change and Disaster Management Department to strengthen its capacity to respond to climate-related emergencies.
The President has commended the forces for successfully undertaking search and rescue assignments in Masvingo and Midlands Provinces “with precision and tact”.
Civil-Military Relations and Community Development
The ZDF has also strengthened civil-military relations through community development projects. The forces have constructed additional schools and health infrastructure in Rushinga, Buhera, Gokwe, Mutasa North and Harare, among other areas.
These initiatives, along with numerous medical outreach programmes in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, have been applauded.
At Simchemba Secondary School in Gokwe North, the ZDF commissioned a state-of-the-art administration block fitted with security features necessary for handling examinations. The project has enabled the school to become a ZIMSEC centre for itself and for other schools within a 100-kilometre radius. Previously, students had to travel 100 kilometres to access a centre .
The project was built using materials funded through proceeds from the Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Fund and community contributions. Skilled artisans from the AFZ construction department carried out the work.
A Friend to All, Enemy to None
On the international front, Zimbabwe’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2027-2028 is “a tribute to our commitment to peace and security,” President Mnangagwa said.
The ZDF remains ready to second more members to UN, African Union and SADC peace support missions.
The President reiterated Zimbabwe’s foreign policy stance: “We are a friend to all and enemy to none” .
The Road Ahead
As Zimbabwe pursues Vision 2030, the message from the Defence Forces Day commemorations is clear: peace and stability remain essential to the country’s economic recovery and development.
The ZDF’s constitutional mandate to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is now closely linked to the national development agenda.
“As the nation marches towards becoming a prosperous and empowered upper-middle income society, I challenge the ZDF to evolve, innovate and adapt in line with the needs and national interest of our beloved motherland,” President Mnangagwa said.
The officers, men and women of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, he declared, have earned the status of “a dependable, professional and highly reputable Force”.
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