In a move highlighting corporate social responsibility, state-owned telecommunications operator NetOne has partnered with Heal Us Zimbabwe to address the country’s escalating drug abuse crisis. The collaboration is currently spearheading a 23-day, 500-kilometre walkathon from Beitbridge to Harare, aiming to raise awareness and provide actionable solutions to an issue that has been declared a national emergency.
The campaign, themed “Together We Rise, United We Heal,” began on June 27 and will culminate in Harare on July 19. It represents a strategic pairing of corporate infrastructure with grassroots expertise in addiction recovery, a model that organisers believe is essential for reaching Zimbabwe’s vulnerable youth demographic.
The economic and social imperatives driving this initiative are stark. Data indicates that drug use among Zimbabwean youth surged from 43 percent in 2017 to over 57 percent by 2019. This alarming trend has not only strained social structures but has also resulted in significant productivity losses in the workplace, prompting President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare the crisis a national emergency.
NetOne Group Chief Executive, Eng. Raphael Mushanawani, stressed that the company’s involvement is deeply rooted in national development rather than mere corporate visibility. “We are running towards a future where our youth reject substance abuse,” Mushanawani stated. “As NetOne, we are honoured to play a central role in this revolution. But we cannot do it alone.”
The partnership with Heal Us Zimbabwe, founded by Columbus Tapiwa Mushore—a survivor of addiction—provides NetOne with critical on-the-ground insights. Mushanawani noted that this collaboration allows the telecoms giant to leverage its extensive network capabilities effectively. “Heal Us Zimbabwe connects us to the ground reality,” he said. “They tell us what works, what hurts, and what gives young people a reason to choose life. Our job is to amplify that voice across our entire network — voice, data, mobile money, and internet services.”
Beyond the physical walkathon, the campaign is executing a comprehensive outreach strategy. NetOne and Heal Us Zimbabwe are conducting face-to-face sessions in schools and community centres to combat the stigma of addiction. The march itself serves as a mobile outreach platform, integrating counselling sessions and recovery testimonies into each day’s itinerary, thereby actively engaging local communities.
Mushanawani also highlighted the dual nature of technology in this context. “The same technology that distracts can also rehabilitate and educate, and NetOne is determined to be part of that solution,” he observed.
Furthermore, the initiative is closely aligned with Zimbabwe’s broader economic objectives. Mushanawani argued that mitigating youth drug use is intrinsically linked to the country’s Vision 2030 development goals, pointing out that a robust and productive youth workforce is critical for meeting national economic targets.
Currently on Day 4 of the march, the campaign has garnered significant grassroots support, with local residents providing provisions and encouragement to the walkers. This community involvement is seen as a vital component of the recovery process.
The campaign’s core message, “Your future is in your hands. Say No to Drugs. Say Yes to Life,” is being broadcast at every stop. The long-term success of this corporate-NGO partnership will likely depend on the continuation of these outreach efforts well beyond the walkathon’s conclusion on July 19.
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