STORY: Zimbabwe Defense Forces mark 43rd anniversary
DATELINE: Aug. 16, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:31
LOCATION: Harare
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the celebration
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President
3. various of audiences
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President
5. various of army officials and written banners
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President
7. various of the parade and military displays

STORYLINE:

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday presided over the national celebrations of the 43rd anniversary of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces Day, which are observed every second week of August.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President
"We are gathered here once again to celebrate yet another year of excellence by the Zimbabwe Defense Forces in the execution of their mandate of safeguarding our independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests as well as the rich liberation cultural heritage."

Inside the National Sports Stadium in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, Zimbabweans, young and old, honored members of the uniformed forces for their diligent duty in protecting the country.

Audiences were entertained by military displays consisting of parachute drops, commando flood rescue simulation, and an iconic flyover of military aircraft over the venue.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President
"The theme of this year's celebrations - Zimbabwe Defense Forces: Creating a conducive environment for the achievement of Vision 2030 - is in recognition of the importance of a peaceful and tranquil environment for sustainable development."

He said the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) remains a vital cog in the ongoing national socioeconomic modernization and development of Zimbabwe. Since its formation, the ZDF has been "a people's force" which has effectively defended Zimbabwe, thereby guaranteeing its nationhood in the face of adversity.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President
"The security of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, as well as the unflinching patriotism, loyalty and strategic capabilities of our security sector and the Zimbabwe Defense Forces in particular, remain the cornerstone of the preservation of our independence, our unity, our peace, stability and sustainable development."

Mnangagwa also said he had made a deliberate decision to heighten the pace of modernization and capacitation of the defense forces.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Harare.
(XHTV)