By Cuthbert Mashoko
In a spirited effort to raise awareness on the ravaging effects of Drug and Substance Abuse, Masvingo Province, Visionary Cadres Association of Zimbabwe (ViCAZ) teamed up with their Midlands counterparts in a voluntary walkathon from Masvingo to Harare.
The spirited gallant cadres kicked off their 385 km foot journey on 14 June, from Zvishavane to Masvingo, where they presented a petition to Provincial Secretary for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa before embarking on their long march to Harare.
The walkathon, which drew youth across the two provinces, Masvingo and Midlands is running under the theme “Drug Abuse is a National Enemy, A Threat to development and A Destroyer of youth potential”
Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa welcomed the gesture by Masvingo and Midlands ViCAZ provincial chapters as a compliment to government efforts in bringing an end to the deadly menace of drug and substance abuse.
“H.E President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, is a champion of development and is after empowering the youths so that they are masters of their own destiny. By this, The President is against drug and substance abuse, for this derails development,. Against this background, l call upon all youths to shun drug and substance abuse and positively contribute to the development of Zimbabwe, as the nation journeys towards the realisation of Vision 2030 ” said Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa.
Masvingo Province , Deputy Director Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training , June Mbizvo bemoaned the devastating effects of drug and substance abuse in youths and hailed the Masvingo and Midlands ViCAZ leadership for joining forces for a noble cause .
“I would like to salute the ViCAZ Provincial leadership for coming up with this awareness campaign. This will go a long way in raising awareness and educating our youths on the dangers of drugs and substance abuse . We want our youths to stay away from drugs so that they make meaningful contribution to the development of our great nation,” echoed Mbizvo.
Vicaz Masvingo Provincial Chair, Khayelihle Ncube thanked the leadership for the support which it renders to VICAZ in its pursuit to fight drugs and substance abuse.
“On behalf of Vicaz Masvingo Province , l am grateful to the Provincial leadership for the support which they continue to give to us as an organization, it is this which has helped us to come up with this initiative, as we make our voices louder in denouncing drugs and substance abuse, ” said Ncube.
By the time of posting the story, the ViCAZ walkathon team had covered a remarkable distance on their way to Harare. “Today is 18 June and we are already in Mvuma, we thank well wishers who have been supporting us with refreshments and also the Zimbabwe Republic Police for escorting us,” shared Ncube.
The walkathon ViCAZ team expect to be in Harare on 26 June.
