By Staff ReporterBEITBRIDGE – NetOne, Zimbabwe’s state-owned mobile network operator, has partnered with grassroots organization Heal Us Zimbabwe to launch a 23-day walkathon from Beitbridge to Harare, in a campaign to combat the escalating drug and substance abuse crisis among young Zimbabweans.The walkathon, which runs from June 27 to July 19, 2026, under the banner “Together We Rise, United We Heal,” covers more than 500 kilometres from the country’s southern border to the capital. On Day 4 of the journey, walkers have been met with water, encouragement, and support from strangers along the route, mirroring the recovery process where no one overcomes addiction alone.The partnership comes as drug use among young Zimbabweans surged from 43 percent in 2017 to over 57 percent by 2019, according to available statistics. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the crisis a national emergency.Speaking ahead of the Beitbridge launch, NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the fight against drug and substance abuse cannot be won in isolation.”We are running towards a future where our youth reject substance abuse. As NetOne, we are honoured to play a central role in this revolution. But we cannot do it alone. Heal Us Zimbabwe brings the lived experience, the frontline truth, and the human face of recovery. That is why this partnership matters,” said Mushanawani.He said NetOne believes connectivity is not only about technology but also about connecting people to opportunities, hope and a better future.”NetOne believes that connectivity is not only about technology but also about connecting people to opportunities, hope and a better future. Heal Us Zimbabwe connects us to the ground reality. “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,” said Eng Mushanawani.He said the partnership is linking anti-drug efforts to Zimbabwe’s broader Vision 2030 development goals.”A productive, healthy youth population is critical if Zimbabwe is to achieve its economic targets. This partnership is not just about saving lives today—it is about securing the nation’s future,” he said.The campaign’s closing message urges young people to take control of their futures: “Your future is in your hands. Say No to Drugs. Say Yes to Life”.Founder of Heal Us Zimbabwe, Columbus Tapiwa Mushore, is a former addict who rebuilt his life. He now dedicates his organization to reaching young people struggling with addiction.The partnership has extended beyond digital messaging to on-the-ground interventions, taking the campaign into schools, community halls, and youth centres, where face-to-face dialogues break down the stigma of addiction and offer pathways to rehabilitation. Counselling sessions, testimonies from former addicts, and community engagements accompany each day’s march.
