BULILIMA, Matabeleland South – As the echoes of celebration subside following the Bulilima Drug and Substance Abuse Campaign & Life Skills Graduation held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, a powerful message resonates throughout Zimbabwe: the nation is united in its fight against the menace of drugs, and no community will be left to battle this scourge alone.
The groundbreaking initiative, hosted in the heart of Matabeleland South Province, transcended the typical graduation ceremony. It marked a pivotal moment where young individuals and community members not only celebrated their acquisition of vital skills in fields such as hotel and catering, welding, and detergent making, but also symbolically graduated away from the grip of substance abuse towards a future defined by dignity, productivity, and active participation in nation-building.
The campaign garnered significant support from mobile network operator NetOne, under its impactful #ImpactingLives initiative. This collaboration seamlessly aligns with the national vision championed by His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, whose consistent call for inclusive development under the mantra “leaving no one and no place behind” has found a powerful embodiment in Bulilima’s inspiring success.
In his keynote address, NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Raphael Mushanawani, underscored the strategic importance of rural empowerment in the nation’s transformative agenda.
“Bulilima is not behind. Bulilima is part of Zimbabwe’s future,” Eng. Mushanawani emphatically stated. “What we are witnessing today… is the true definition of national development from the grassroots.”
Eng. Mushanawani further reiterated NetOne’s commitment as a key development partner, actively deploying practical digital solutions spanning telemedicine, e-learning, and digital agriculture—all strategically designed to uplift rural communities and ensure equitable access to opportunities for all Zimbabweans.
This tangible work on the ground directly supports the national aspirations outlined in Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Crucially, the event also highlighted the inseparable link between digital empowerment and behavioral transformation, particularly the urgent need to combat drug and substance abuse, a destructive force threatening to derail the potential of Zimbabwe’s youth.
Hon. Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, the Member of Parliament for Bulilima, delivered a passionate call to action, commending the young people who have resolutely chosen the path of personal growth over the lure of destructive habits.
“When young people acquire life skills and stand up against drugs, they reclaim their future and shape the destiny of our nation,” Hon. Phuti declared. “This is the Zimbabwe we want—self-sufficient, drug-free, and determined.”
Bulilima’s remarkable achievement serves as a powerful demonstration that with effective leadership, strong partnerships, and a clear sense of purpose, even the most remote districts can emerge as vibrant hubs of transformation. The resounding success of this initiative should serve as an inspiration for replication across all provinces of Zimbabwe.
To the youth of Zimbabwe, the message from Bulilima is clear: reject the false promises of drugs, embrace the empowering potential of skills, and take ownership of your future. While the streets may offer fleeting illusions, purpose offers lasting permanence.
Let this momentous event stand as a potent reminder that the fight against drug and substance abuse is not merely a moral obligation—it is a fundamental pillar of national development. And with the unwavering leadership of President Mnangagwa, the visionary drive of institutions like NetOne, and the unwavering courage of communities like Bulilima, Zimbabwe is poised to emerge victorious.
Together, we connect. Together, we rise. Together, we impact lives.