ZAMBIA NATIONAL SERVICE UPHOLDS MERIT-BASED SELECTION IN TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND COMMENCES VOLUNTARY TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR 1,092 RECRUITS
Today, Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, and Defence Permanent Secretary, Maambo Hamaundu, convened a joint press briefing to provide updates on the commissioning of Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema.
Here are the highlights:
DEFENCE PS MR. MAAMBO HAMAUNDU
✅️The ZNS Voluntary Training Program is set to commence on September 1, 2025, with 1,092 recruits (468 female and 624 male) slated to participate.
✅️Medical examinations for the identified candidates will be conducted on August 25, 2025, and successful candidates will proceed to training at one of three centers: Chiwoko in Katete, Chishimba camp in Kasama, and Kitwe.
✅️The program will include military training, agriculture, and instruction in national values and principles, aiming to foster discipline, commitment, and entrepreneurial skills in participants.
✅️The initiative aims to instill perseverance and transform participants into disciplined individuals, promoting national development and patriotism.
INFORMATION AND MEDIA PS MR. THABO KAWANA
✅️ Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema successfully passed the mandatory Officers Selection Board process: Lt. Hichilema demonstrated his capabilities and potential as a future officer by successfully completing the rigorous selection process, which included a range of assessments.
✅️To ensure a fair evaluation, Lt. Hichilema trained under a pseudonym, preventing instructors from extending special favours or bias towards him due to his family ties.
✅️Lt. Hichilema shared meals and accommodations with his fellow cadets and participated fully in all training activities, including bush exercises and disciplinary measures when necessary.
✅️Lt. Hichilema embodied the spirit of “To Train the willing and unwilling” by showing a strong commitment to the training process and a willingness to learn.
✅️Lt. Hichilema demonstrated his commitment and willingness to learn by participating in physically demanding tasks, such as digging his own trench during field training.
✅️Throughout his training, Lt. Hichilema consistently demonstrated humility, discipline, and a strong work ethic, participating in challenging exercises and living alongside his fellow cadets.
✅️Lt. Hichilema kept his identity confidential until after his commissioning, ensuring that his training and evaluation were based solely on his performance.
✅️And Brigadier General Mable Nyone expressed gratitude to the first family for choosing ZNS as an institution to train Lt. Hichilema, highlighting the importance of merit-based selection.
✅️General Nyone emphasized that Lt. Hichilema’s selection was based on his hard work, perseverance, and resilience, demonstrating the value of meritocracy.
✅️Captain Siva Asani described Lt. Habwela Hichilema as a disciplined individual who desires to do things according to the book, highlighting his commitment to following rules and procedures.