In a powerful display of unity, purpose, and progress, the community of Bulilima has emerged as a national beacon of hope in Zimbabwe’s ongoing war against drug and substance abuse.
Through the Bulilima Drug and Substance Abuse Campaign & Life Skills Graduation, held on 24 May 2025, villagers and youth took bold steps away from the grip of addiction and toward a future filled with dignity, skills, and sustainable opportunity.
The campaign, backed by NetOne’s #ImpactingLives initiative, saw dozens graduate from practical training programs in disciplines such as hotel and catering, welding, and detergent making. But more than certificates were earned; the graduates walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to rebuilding their lives and communities.
NetOne Group CEO Eng. Raphael Mushanawani described the event as a turning point, asserting that rural empowerment is central to Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
“Bulilima is not behind. Bulilima is part of Zimbabwe’s future,” he said. “What we are witnessing today is the true definition of national development from the grassroots.”
The event resonates deeply with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of inclusive growth, encapsulated in the mantra “leaving no one and no place behind.” Through such campaigns, the nation is turning the tide against drug abuse not with punishment alone, but with opportunity, empowerment, and innovation.
Digital access was also a focus, with NetOne reaffirming its commitment to rural connectivity through e-learning platforms, digital agriculture, and telemedicine. Yet, leaders stressed that these advances must be paired with behavioural reform starting with the rejection of drugs.
Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, also the local MP, lauded the youth for their courage to change course:
“When young people acquire life skills and stand up against drugs, they reclaim their future and shape the destiny of our nation,” he said. “This is the Zimbabwe we want: self-sufficient, drug-free, and determined.”
The Bulilima campaign is not an isolated event; it is a model. A model that proves real change is possible when government, the private sector, and the community work together. As Vision 2030 and NDS1 unfold, such grassroots triumphs must be replicated across the country.
The message is clear: Zimbabwe’s youth have a choice. Say no to drugs. Say yes to skills, self-respect, and a future with purpose.
