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Chronicle Reporters—
HUNDREDS of people gathered at White City Stadium yesterday to commemorate 35th anniversary of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Minister of State for Bulawayo Province, Eunice Moyo was the guest of honour at the celebrations and she read a 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 the parade commander Nomore Mphini before reading the speech.

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces added colour to the occasion with a parade, bayonet fighting displays, drills and live musical performances.

One Infantry Brigade Band wowed the crowd with music.

Groups that included War Collaborators M and Amakhosikazi Entuthuko also gave a good account of themselves.

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

In Matabeleland North Province, thousands of people braved the scotching sun to celebrate Defence Forces Day at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane.

Service chiefs arrived at the venue followed by Provincial Affairs Minister 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.

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

The programme was punctuated by music and poems from school pupils.

A local Rhumba group based in Lupane, Nehwe and Ndolwane Super Sounds fronted by Martin Sibanda gave polished performances that kept the huge crowd on their feet.

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

In Midlands Province, 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 at the stadium, 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.

A high turnout marked the 35th Defence Forces Day Celebrations at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo yesterday.

Proceedings started just before midday with the arrival of Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Shuvai Mahofa.

She arrived shortly after the arrival of service chiefs led by acting 4 Brigade Infantry commander Colonel Michael Mataruka, Officer Commanding police Senior Assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo.

Cde Mahofa inspected a quarter-guard mounted by officers from 4 Infantry brigade before proceeding to read the Presidential Speech.

The crowd was kept on its feet by spectacular displays by the ZNA.

Mutimurefu Prisons inmates complemented the soldiers with cultural dances.

The celebrations ended with a soccer match between Masvingo City and Four United Lions.