Bernard Yombayomba
THE Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) participated in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) aviation exercise, code-named Exercise Blue Lugwasho, hosted by Zambia from 08 to 25 September 2025.
This humanitarian initiative was aimed at assisting provinces affected by climate change, particularly the El Niño phenomenon, which had led to drought conditions in parts of Zambia.
Held under the theme, “SADC Air Forces: Enhancing SADC Regional Stability Through Air Power,” the exercise involved the delivery of 450 tonnes of maize to Maamba and Namwala districts in the Southern Province, where it was distributed to beneficiaries.
During the food aid delivery at Livingstone Air Force Base, Air Commodore Maxwell Sakupwanya, the Air Component Commander for AFZ, expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the initiative with both air and ground assets.
“I want to acknowledge that the enemy to humanity has surpassed the traditional enemy that we used to know. Due to climate change, human security is at stake. Hence, as part of the SADC Standing Aviation Committee (SSAC), we are ready to support this exercise with our aircraft and haulage trucks to airlift and ferry the food aid to beneficiaries in the Southern Province,” said Air Commodore Sakupwanya.
He emphasised that the exercise served as a valuable learning experience, as Zimbabwe is set to host a similar aviation exercise in the future.
“This exercise is a biannual event, so Zimbabwe will be the next host in 2027. We are also learning and sharing experiences with others such that by the time we shall host, we will be completely ready.
“Such exercises expose us to the existential threats to our region, and we find common solutions that bring lasting peace and security to our nations. It is through these exercises that our regional integration is strengthened,” said Air Commodore Sakupwanya.
At the Lusaka Air Force Base, Mr Makoye Chisuta, the assistant director of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under the Office of Zambian Vice President Dr Mutale Nalumango, emphasised the DMMU’s role in responding to disaster situations.
“We have been working with military aviation authorities in SADC member States in the planning phase, and we are expecting the execution phase to deliver the food relief very soon.
“The DMMU facilitated the release of 450 tonnes of grain; that relief consignment has been apportioned to designated districts in the exercise,” he stated.
Eight SADC member States participated in the food relief distribution, including Namibia, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique.
