Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s oldest mobile network operator, NetOne Cellular says it is driven by the strategy to transform lives in outlying communities – a move which has seen lives being transformed in distant places.
The remarks were made in a speech read on behalf of Engineer Raphael Mushanawani in a speech read on his behalf by Netone Southern Regional Manager Miss Gugulethu Mpofu at the occasion to launch a network tower in Ward 5 in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South province.
The network tower is part of a number of other models where NetOne has installed its active equipment at towers belonging to TelOne formerly known as PTC.The tower covers 20 kilometres and uses ZTE hardware.
Eng Mushanawani said as NetOne celebrates 30 years of connecting Zimbabweans, there is no better way to celebrate this milestone than by coming to communities like Matjinge.
“Our success as NetOne is not measured by buildings in Harare, but by the lives we transform in places like Bulilima. For 30 years, NetOne has walked the journey of national development together with the people of Zimbabwe. We have connected cities, growth points, schools, clinics, farmers, businesses, churches and families. Today, we proudly extend that journey to Matjinge,” he said.
Mushanawni said the project was not just a tower but a bridge of opportunity empowering a learner in Matjinge to access online lessons and compete with the world, a farmer can now receive weather updates and market prices in real time, a young entrepreneur can now market products beyond Bulilima, a nurse at a rural clinic can now communicate faster during emergencies and families separated by distance can now remain connected.
“This is how we bridge the digital divide. This is how we build Zimbabwe together. Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the Government has made it clear that Vision 2030 must reach every village, every ward and every community. Development cannot only belong to urban centres. Development must also be felt here in Matjinge and today, we are witnessing that promise becoming reality,” he said.
Mushanawani underscored that the infrastructure does not belong to NetOne alone but to the people of Matjinge with the service provider playing the custodian role in the developmental journey.
“We are merely custodians and partners in development. This base station is your asset.It is your child’s future. It is your community’s connection to opportunities. That is why I am making a heartfelt appeal to every citizen gathered here today to protect this infrastructure,” added Mushanawani.
