Zimbabwe’s state-owned telecommunications operator, NetOne, has partnered with childhood cancer support organisation KIDZCAN to stage a fundraising golf tournament at Bulawayo Country Club, using sport as a vehicle to mobilise corporate support for children battling cancer.
The inaugural NetOne-KIDZCAN Golf Tournament drew executives, sponsors and members of the golfing fraternity in what organisers described as a demonstration of collective action behind one of the country’s most vulnerable patient groups.
Addressing guests at the conclusion of the tournament, NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the event carried purpose beyond competition.
“This tournament was never solely about the game. It was about giving hope to children battling cancer. It was about standing with families facing one of life’s most difficult challenges. It was about demonstrating the power of compassion and collective action,” he said.
Mushanawani framed NetOne’s involvement as an extension of the company’s core mandate, arguing that telecommunications infrastructure alone does not define connectivity.
“We believe that connectivity goes beyond technology. While we connect people through communication, we also believe in connecting communities to opportunities, connecting partnerships to purpose and connecting people to hope,” he said.
The CEO also situated the initiative within Zimbabwe’s broader national development framework, referencing government priorities under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2, which he said emphasise healthcare access and inclusive development.
Mushanawani said the tournament illustrated what coordinated effort between sectors could achieve.
“Sustainable development can only be achieved when Government, the private sector, civil society and communities work together towards a common goal,” he said.