Tendai Keith Guvamombe
Zimbabwe’s rise against drug and substance abuse is gaining new momentum, and at the heart of this national movement stands NetOne — not merely as a telecommunications provider, but as an active nation-builder committed to protecting the country’s most valuable asset: its youth.
The Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Sports Gala held at Garwe Stadium, Chikomba West, became a vivid display of how sport, leadership, technology and national willpower can unite to confront the threat consuming young lives.
The event brought together key national figures, including the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Lieutenant General (Retired) Ambassador A. Sanyatwe; the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, MP; and the Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. O. Ndudzo.
Their presence underscored the seriousness of the national call by President Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa: Zimbabwe must protect its youth and say no to drugs. This gala did not only reflect that call—it operationalised it.
NetOne’s involvement was not ceremonial; it was intentional, strategic and deeply rooted in its identity as a national digital enabler.
The organisation recognises that drug and substance abuse is not merely a social challenge—it is a national crisis threatening the dreams, productivity and future of Zimbabwean youth.
And thus, NetOne continues to tackle the issue where it matters most: in communities, through youth programmes, and—critically—through the power of technology.
Sport formed the heartbeat of the Chikomba West event. The games were a reminder that discipline, teamwork and physical engagement can redirect youthful passion away from harmful substances and towards purpose. But what made the initiative truly groundbreaking was the meeting point between physical activity and digital enlightenment.
NetOne has been leveraging its vast network, mobile platforms and social media presence to distribute educational content on drug abuse, share real-life stories, inspire behavioural change and ensure that young people remain informed and connected to positive influences.
NetOne’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, delivered a message that encapsulated this national vision:
“Connectivity alone is not enough. Towers, fibre, broadband—these must become channels of empowerment, education and awareness. Our networks must serve as lines of defence, keeping young people informed, inspired and engaged.”
This philosophy is reshaping the national approach to youth empowerment. Digital messaging campaigns are reaching schools, rural communities and urban centres alike.
Awareness videos circulate instantly
Motivational content spreads faster than the drugs that threaten young lives. By turning its technological ecosystem into an educational and protective shield, NetOne is proving that technology, when strategically deployed, can transform an entire generation’s mindset.
This initiative sits firmly within NetOne’s pillars of health, education and empowerment. It reflects the organisation’s transition from being merely a communication service provider into becoming a key partner in national development.
By combining sport, ICT and community engagement, NetOne is delivering a holistic intervention that touches the mind, body and environment of the young person. It is this integrative approach that gives the programme national value and long-term sustainability.
The Chikomba West event was more than a gala—it was a national declaration that Zimbabwe is ready to fight back against drugs with unity, innovation and purpose. And at the centre of this courageous movement stands NetOne, not distancing itself from the challenge, but leaning into it boldly and visibly.
The organisation has embraced the responsibility to defend the youth—through technology that informs, through sport that strengthens and through community engagement that inspires.
As Zimbabwe pursues Vision 2030, the protection of its youth is paramount. NetOne has risen to this task, turning its digital footprint into a national safeguard and ensuring that no young person faces the threats of drugs alone. The message is clear: a connected youth is an empowered youth, and an empowered youth is far harder to destroy.
Through every tower erected, every message broadcast, every sport programme supported and every community touched, NetOne is proving that defending a generation is not just a campaign—it is a national mission, and one they are fully committed to leading.
