Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces have started rehearsals for drills to be performed on the Defence Forces Day commemorations on Tuesday next week. The commemorations will be held at the 60 000-seater

National Sports Stadium.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Jemmias Chatora, who is the drillmaster, yesterday said people should expect to be entertained by the children who will perform the drills.
“Children of civilians and of soldiers will thrill the crowd with drills they are being taught. Young people need to be nurtured since childhood such that they can emulate soldiers and it is fortunate they are doing it with passion. Children from various walks life need to grow up emulating the good work done by the defence forces,” he said.

Director of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces public relations Colonel Overson Mugwisi said everything was in order.
He said, “Preparations for this day are on course and we are ready.”
“The main celebrations will be graced by President Mugabe, the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

“There will be military hardware displays outside the National Sports Stadium which Zimbabweans will have the privilege to view.”
Col Mugwisi said people would be entrained by a live performance from Alick Macheso and a soccer match in the afternoon.
The soccer match will pit a Zimbabwe Defence Forces select team against their counterparts from Zambia.

Col Mugwisi said Zimbabweans who cherish the country’s hard-won independence must throng the various centres for the celebrations.
“We urge every Zimbabwean who cherishes our independence and the efforts of our heroes and the defence officers who are safeguarding our independence to

come to the national shrine to commemorate the day,” he said.

“All Zimbabweans from the political divide should attend because this is a national event. We have gained a lot over the past years since we attained independence and the day will be useful for celebrating the achievements.”