Staff Writer
Zimbabwe’s fight against drug and substance abuse has entered a new and energetic phase — and at the centre of this national push stands NetOne.
Far beyond its role as a telecommunications giant, NetOne has positioned itself as a nation-builder committed to safeguarding the country’s most precious resource: its youth.
This commitment was vividly displayed at the Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Sports Gala held at Garwe Stadium in Chikomba West, where sport, leadership, technology and community passion converged in a united stand against a growing national threat.
The event drew high-profile leaders, among them the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) 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 urgency of President Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s call: Zimbabwe must defend its youth and say no to drugs. The gala didn’t just echo that message — it put it into motion.
NetOne’s Role: Strategic, Intentional and Impact-Driven
NetOne’s participation was deliberate and deeply aligned with its identity as Zimbabwe’s national digital enabler.
NetOne Group CEO, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani
The organisation understands that drug and substance abuse is not simply a social ill — it is a national crisis with the power to derail lives, destroy dreams and weaken the nation’s future workforce.
To counter this, NetOne is taking the fight directly to communities, schools and youth spaces, harnessing the force of technology to drive awareness and behavioural change.
Sport: Harnessing Energy, Discipline and Purpose
At the heart of the Chikomba West event was sport — a proven catalyst for discipline, teamwork and channelled youthful energy. The games served as a powerful reminder that physical activity can redirect young people away from harmful habits and toward constructive engagement.
But what made the initiative uniquely impactful was the fusion of sport and digital awareness.
Technology as a Shield
NetOne has been transforming its digital platforms into channels of protection and empowerment. Through its mobile network, social media presence and digital ecosystem, the organisation has been distributing educational content on drug abuse, sharing testimonies, inspiring positive behaviour and ensuring youth remain connected to uplifting influences.
NetOne Group CEO, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, summarised this strategy with clarity and conviction:
“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 how the nation views youth empowerment. Awareness campaigns now reach both rural and urban communities instantly.
Motivational content spreads faster than the drugs that threaten young people’s lives. By repurposing its digital footprint into a protective shield, NetOne is demonstrating the transformative power of technology when applied with purpose.
A Holistic, Sustainable National Intervention
This initiative aligns seamlessly with NetOne’s core pillars: health, education and empowerment. It reflects the company’s evolution from a traditional telecoms provider to a strategic partner in national development.
By integrating sport, ICT and community engagement, NetOne is offering a holistic, multidimensional intervention that nurtures the mind, strengthens the body and fortifies the social environment surrounding young people.
A National Declaration of Resistance
The Chikomba West gala was more than an event — it was a resolute national statement that Zimbabwe is prepared to confront drug abuse with unity, innovation and unwavering purpose. And standing boldly at the centre is NetOne, embracing its responsibility to defend future generations.
Through technology that informs, sport that strengthens and community engagement that inspires, NetOne is helping shape a safer, stronger pathway to Vision 2030.
The message is unmistakable:
A connected youth is an empowered youth — and an empowered youth is far harder to destroy.
With every tower built, every message shared, every sporting programme supported and every community touched, NetOne is demonstrating that protecting the next generation is not a campaign.
It is a national mission — and one they are fully committed to leading.
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