Martin Muleya
NetOne recently launched a powerful campaign against substance abuse in Bulilama, Matebeleland South province, on the eve of Africa Day.
The ‘Say No to Drugs- Yes to dignity and a future with purpose’ campaign, held under the #Impactlives initiative, marked a significant milestone in the fight against drug abuse. The event celebrated the graduation of youths and villagers into skill-based professions, symbolizing their transition from substance from substance abuse to dignity, productivity and nation-building.
NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani emphasized the importance of rural empowerment in the nation’s transformative agenda.
“Bulilama is not behind. Bulilama is part of Zimbabwe’s future. What we are witnessing today, is the true definition of national development from the grassroots.
He reaffirmed NetOne’s role as a development partner delivering practical digital solutions- from telemedicine and e-learning to digital agriculture- all designed to uplift rural communities and ensure equitable access to opportunities.
The campaign’s impact extended beyond the individual level with youths and villagers graduating into various skill-based professions, including hotel and catering, welding and detergent making. The campaign also reinforced the nation’s firm stance against drugs- promoting a drug-free and determined Zimbabwe.
Ministry of Youth Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti appealed to youths for a call to action, praising the young people who have chosen the path of personal development over destructive habits.
“When young people acquire life skills and stand up against drugs, they reclaim their future and shape the destiny of our nation. This is the Zimbabwe we want- self-sufficient, drug-free and determined.
“What Bulilama has demonstrated is that with the right mix of leadership, partnership and purpose even the most remote districts can become engines of transformation. The success of this initiative should inspire replication across all provinces. The streets may offer illusion, but purpose offers permanence. Let this event serve as a powerful reminder that the battle against drug and substance abuse is not just a moral imperative- it is a national development strategy,” said Phuti.
