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Herald Reporters
The 35th anniversary of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces lived up to its billing with Zimbabweans from all walks of life thronging various centres countrywide to celebrate the annual event.

The main celebrations were at the National Sports Stadium in Harare where President Mugabe addressed a bumper crowd comprising Cabinet ministers, ordinary Zimbabweans, service chiefs, military chiefs from other countries and diplomats.

President Mugabe, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, led the celebrations with an inspired speech that chronicled the achievements of the ZDF and its importance in defending the country’s territorial integrity.

Before the President’s arrival, the crowd was treated to polished sungura performances by Alick Macheso who belted hit after hit from his old albums.

The official programme started with the arrival of President Mugabe around 10am, singing of the national anthem and a fly-past by Air Force of Zimbabwe jets.

President Mugabe inspected the guard of honour after which he delivered his keynote address in which he bemoaned the negative effects of the West’s illegal sanctions on the operations of the ZDF.

The President then joined the crowd, services chiefs, senior government officials and diplomats in observing parachute displays by members of the ZDF.

The giant National Sports Stadium reverberated as the crowd cheered the parachutists as they landed in succession in the main arena.

Man-of-the-moment, Jah Prayzah who was also part of the musicians at the event, did not disappoint with his top notch performance.

Tracks from his latest album, Jerusarema, received gratifying appreciation especially from the young people.

Speaking through an interpreter on the sidelines of the celebrations, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces for Patriotic Education, General Antonio Egidio de Sousa Santos, hailed the ZDF saying they shared experiences with the force in terms of regional integration.

“We had a joint mission in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) in the past,” he said.

He said he also appreciated the speech made by President Mugabe during the Heroes’ Day commemorations on Monday.

“I appreciated his patriotic sentiment at the National Heroes’ Acre yesterday which is important especially to young generations about where we come from and where we are going,” he said.

Pakistan Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Saeed Muhammad Khan said relations between the two forces were flourishing.

“We are already providing training to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces especially related to the Air Force,” he said.

He said the training covered a number of areas including air defence and aircraft maintenance.

In Masvingo, hundreds of people thronged Mucheke Stadium where they joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the day.

Entertainment was galore with drum majorettes and displays by soldiers from 4 Infantry Brigade stealing the hearts of many.

The celebrations started just after 10am with the main parade comprising four detachments from 4 Infantry Brigade, accompanied by colourful drum majorettes marching from Chikato police station to the stadium.

The crowd was entertained by the parade which marched in quick and slow time before Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa read the Presidential speech.

The celebrations continued with mock battle drills and bayonet fighting by soldiers from 4 Infantry Brigade.

Mutimurefu Prison Band and ZCC Brass band also entertained the crowd with the curtain on the festivities coming down with a soccer match.

In Mashonaland West Province, thousands of people thronged Chinhoyi Stadium to commemorate the day.

The people were kept entertained by Zimbabwe National Army and Air Force of Zimbabwe displays.

Mashonaland West Minister of State Cde Faber Chidarikire inspected a parade before reading the President’s speech.

Horse displays from the Zimbabwe National Army Mounted Regiment were popular with the crowd that gathered to celebrate the day.

In Bulawayo, hundreds gathered at the White City Stadium. Minister of State for Bulawayo province, Cde Eunice Moyo, read the speech on behalf of President Mugabe.

The crowd received her with whistles and ululations, as she arrived under the service chiefs’ escort.

She inspected the parade, taking over from parade Commander Nomore Mphini.

1 Infantry Brigade band wowed the crowd with music.

Groups that included War Collaborators M and Amakhosikazi Entuthuko also performed.

Children of army personnel held the crowd spellbound with well choreographed displays of Chinese martial arts popularly known as kung fu.

In Matabeleland North, thousands of people braved the scotching sun to celebrate the day at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane.

Service chiefs arrived at the venue followed by Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Cde Cain Mathema who arrived just after 11am.

Cde Mathema inspected a quarter-guard before the Zimbabwe National Army wowed the thousands with spectacular slow and fast marches around the stadium.

He read President Mugabe’s speech after which members of the ZNA took to the ground with exciting drills.

A local rhumba group based in Lupane, Nehwe put the crowd into a mellow mood before Ndolwane Super Sounds fronted by Martin Sibanda took to the stage with a polished performance that kept the huge crowd spellbound at the venue even after the proceedings.

Later there was a soccer match between ZRP and ZNA select sides to cap a fine day.

Also present were Chief Mabhikwa and several heads of government departments in the province.

In Midlands, thousands of people thronged Mkoba Stadium to commemorate the Defence Forces Day.

People started trickling into the stadium from as early as 8am and by 11am when the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Jason Machaya arrived, it was a full house.

Cde Machaya inspected the guard of honour mounted by the Zimbabwe National Army before he proceeded to read the Presidential speech.

The crowd was entertained by groups such as Midlands State University band.