By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – As the clock struck 8:00am on the first Friday of June, a different kind of connection was being made across Zimbabwe.
It wasn’t over the airwaves, but on the ground. State-owned telecommunications giant, NetOne, rolled up its sleeves and mobilized across its branch network for the nationwide clean-up campaign, reaffirming its commitment to a cleaner, healthier Zimbabwe.
Led by the company’s CEO, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, the campaign saw NetOne staff, local authorities, and community members fan out across key areas in the country, armed with refuse bags and a renewed sense of civic duty.
The initiative, held from 8:00am to 10:00am, aligns seamlessly with the President’s national declaration on community cleanliness and NetOne’s internal PR Environment pillar.
Acknowledging the National Call
Speaking during the exercise, Engineer Mushanawani began by acknowledging the President’s directive, commending the national call for hygiene.
“As NetOne, we are deeply honoured to support this nationwide initiative,” said Eng Mushanawani. “We are guided by the powerful mantra of ‘leaving no place behind’ and the simple truth that ‘Nyika inocheneswa nevene vayo’ (The nation is cleaned by its owners). If we wait for someone else to clean our streets, we will wait forever.”
More Than Just Picking Up Litter
For NetOne, this exercise was never just about sweeping dirt. The CEO reinforced that the campaign directly activates the company’s Environment Pillar, demonstrating responsible citizenship that goes beyond SIM cards and data bundles.
“We are committed to protecting public spaces and reducing pollution,” Eng Mushanawani noted. “Clean communities support healthy living, safer streets, and a better environment for everyone. Today, we are proving that a telecommunications company can also be a guardian of the earth.”
NetOne commended the seamless coordination with local authorities, community leaders, and the volunteers who arrived on time, equipped with protective gear, and ready to work.
NetOne’s Contribution
In its role as a responsible corporate citizen, NetOne confirmed its support structure:
Mobilisation: Activating staff and volunteers across all branches nationwide.
Logistics: Providing essential support such as gloves, refuse bags, and transport for waste collection.
Advocacy: Using NetOne’s extensive communication channels (including SMS and social media) to encourage participation and safety awareness.
Safety and Inclusivity First
Engineer Mushanawani was keen to stress that volunteerism must be safe. He encouraged broad participation from youth, schools, business communities, and households, but reminded everyone of safety protocols.
“Whether you are near a busy road or a market, we need responsible waste collection. Wear your protective gear, watch the traffic, and dispose of refuse properly. We want a clean Zimbabwe, not an injured one.”
A Call to Action for Every Citizen
The CEO concluded the morning with a rallying cry to the residents of Mutare and Zimbabwe at large.
“This cannot end at 10:00am. We call upon every resident to join, support, and champion clean surroundings. Practice proper waste disposal daily—not just when there is a camera present.”
Looking Ahead
As the bags of refuse were collected and the streets of Mutare began to shine, NetOne reiterated that this is not a one-off publicity stunt.
“We will be back,” Eng Mushanawani promised. “We are committed to supporting this programme month after month.”
The message from NetOne was clear: In the race to digitize Zimbabwe, no one should leave their trash behind.
About Author
