By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
When the spotlight turned to NetOne at the Zimbabwe ICT Excellence Awards this year, the applause was more than a celebration of corporate success — it was a moment that reflected the quiet, everyday stories of people across the country whose lives have been transformed by a simple signal bar appearing on their mobile phones.
For communities that once lived beyond the reach of reliable communication, NetOne’s win for Best Rural Internet Connectivity carried emotional weight.
It was the company’s second consecutive win in that category, a recognition that speaks directly to the farmers, students, health workers, and families who now stay connected in places where network access once seemed impossible.
The awards ceremony drew national leaders and policymakers, including the Minister of ICT, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, and the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Hon. Tinotenda Machakaire, who represented Vice President Hon. Dr. Kembo Mohadi.
Yet for many at NetOne, the moment felt personal — a reminder of the long journeys to remote communities, the installation teams working through harsh weather, and the determination to ensure no village is left behind in Zimbabwe’s digital future.
Beyond the trophies, the recognition highlighted stories like that of schoolchildren in rural Mashonaland who now download lessons instead of walking miles for materials, or small-scale entrepreneurs in Matabeleland who run thriving online businesses from homesteads once considered “offline.”
NetOne’s recognition as First Runner-Up for Best Telecoms Company further underscored the trust the company has earned over the years.
But those within the organisation say the awards mark something deeper: a commitment to bridging Zimbabwe’s digital divide, one tower and one community at a time.
From Vision 2030 to the National Development Strategy, national goals for digital inclusivity rely on connectivity.
NetOne’s work has quietly supported these ambitions by empowering communities with tools to learn, trade, communicate, and dream beyond geographical limits.
For NetOne staff, the awards were a reminder of why their work matters. Engineers who spend nights at rural base stations, customer service agents who teach first-time smartphone users how to navigate the internet, and community liaison officers who listen to local concerns — all are part of a larger story about connection, dignity, and opportunity.
By supporting the ICT Excellence Awards, NetOne reinforced its belief in innovation and collaboration as drivers of social change.
Its long-standing vision, The World In One, has become more than a slogan — it is reflected in every rural homestead that can now join a Zoom class, every mother who receives a mobile money message, and every young dreamer exploring opportunities online.
For Zimbabwe’s rural communities, the awards were not just NetOne’s victory. They were a celebration of progress, belonging, and the hope that every citizen — no matter where they live — can be part of a digitally connected nation.
ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera
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