The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality within its ranks, with Commander Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Matutu declaring that the force’s gender-neutral recruitment policy is bearing fruit as more women continue to graduate from military training programmes.
Lt-Gen Matutu made the remarks on Friday while presiding over a colourful pass-out parade for recruit intake 38B/01/24 at Imbizo Barracks in Bulawayo. The ceremony marked the graduation of 495 general duty soldiers who successfully completed months of intensive training.
Out of the 500 recruits who began training on 16 December last year, 374 were men and 126 were women. Although five failed to complete the programme — one male and four females — the graduating class still included 122 women. Lt-Gen Matutu hailed their success as a milestone in the army’s ongoing gender mainstreaming drive.
“That we have 122 female graduates on parade today is clear testimony of our gender mainstreaming efforts,” he said. “These young ladies will join many who came before them and continue to shatter the myth that a military career is only for men. From what I have been briefed, and what we have all witnessed, these women matched their counterparts every step of the way.”
The ZNA Commander noted that women have increasingly shown that they can meet the demands of military service. He said their presence is vital in strengthening the force’s inclusivity, professionalism, and representation of Zimbabwe’s broader society.
ZNA Commander Applauds Gender-Neutral Recruitment Policy as New Recruits Graduate
Lt-Gen Matutu also expressed satisfaction that the recruits were drawn from all ten provinces of the country, a development he said preserved the national character of the army.
“The ZNA is a true people’s army. Our recruitment is broad-based and reflects every community of Zimbabwe,” he said. “When soldiers come from every province, it ensures that the army remains a unifying institution, representative of the nation it defends.”
The graduates were organised into four companies — Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta — each comprising 125 recruits. The pass-out parade showcased their military drills, physical fitness, and mastery of the basic principles of soldiering.
While celebrating the success of the recruits, Lt-Gen Matutu reminded them that discipline and professionalism were the bedrock of the military career. He emphasised that the army’s mandate of defending national sovereignty requires men and women who are not only well-trained but also unwavering in their commitment.
“As Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, I demand the highest standards of professionalism and discipline from all members of the army,” he said. “Discipline in the army is non-negotiable. Defence of the nation requires soldiers who are proficient in the tools of the trade and ready to apply the skills they have acquired. Above all, it requires individuals prepared to make sacrifices — even the supreme sacrifice — for the country.”
Lt-Gen Matutu underscored that the military was not like any ordinary job. “This is not like working in a factory where you clock in at 8am and leave at 5pm. Defence of a country demands readiness at all times. I call upon you, the graduating recruits, to take this responsibility seriously and honourably,” he said.
The Commander’s remarks come at a time when Zimbabwe is making concerted efforts to promote gender balance across key national institutions. Analysts say the ZNA’s efforts to recruit and retain women in significant numbers is a step towards breaking traditional barriers that have historically limited female participation in security and defence.
Families, invited guests, and senior military officials attended the parade, cheering as the recruits demonstrated the discipline, endurance, and skills gained over months of rigorous training. The event was punctuated by marching displays and the symbolic handover of certificates of completion.
For many of the graduates, the ceremony was not only the culmination of personal perseverance but also the beginning of a demanding career in national service. With their new roles, they are expected to contribute to peacekeeping missions, disaster response, and the safeguarding of Zimbabwe’s borders.
The ZNA has consistently declared its commitment to maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and inclusivity in line with both national policy and international trends. The visible participation of women in uniform is likely to encourage more young women to consider careers in the armed forces, further eroding stereotypes that the barracks remain a male preserve.
Lt-Gen Matutu concluded by urging the graduates to carry forward the values instilled during training. “You are now custodians of the nation’s peace and security. The people of Zimbabwe will look to you for protection, and you must never let them down,” he said.
As the sun set on Imbizo Barracks, the graduating recruits stood tall in uniform, embodying the discipline, resilience, and diversity the Commander celebrated. For the ZNA, the day was not just about numbers on parade, but about reaffirming a commitment to inclusivity, professionalism, and the defence of the nation by both men and women, shoulder to shoulder.
Source- Hearaldonline
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