“When NetOne Became Family — A Christmas of Tears, Joy and Unity”

By Desire Tshuma

The goodwill becomes more than generosity, it becomes a force that binds a nation. This Christmas, that force has travelled across Zimbabwe, weaving its way through dusty roads, quiet villages, and provinces often spoken of only in statistics.

For once, they were not numbers. They were the heart of the Christmas cheer that reminded the nation what it means to belong.

The journey began far from the bright city lights in Gokwe, where the Midlands sun meets communities that carry more resilience than resources. In this place, elderly citizens, child-headed families, and vulnerable households welcomed not just hampers, but human presence. People who came not to tick a box, but to listen, touch hands, lift spirits, and restore dignity.

Christmas did not arrive in a truck. It arrived in the warmth of knowing: you have not been forgotten. From there, the spirit travelled east to Chipinge — to Musikavanhu Constituency, where life’s challenges often outweigh opportunities. Yet on that day, hope arrived dressed in laughter, food, music, and respect. With Deputy Minister Angeline Gata hosting and Deputy Minister Hon. John Paradza standing among the people as Guest of Honour, the event transformed into more than a festive gesture. It became a national statement: every province matters, and development must be inclusive.

Deputy Minister Gata, visibly moved by the atmosphere and the impact of the initiative, expressed her gratitude and support:

“What we witnessed here is the true spirit of nation-building. To see our elderly and vulnerable smiling with renewed dignity reminds us why inclusive development matters. This Christmas Cheer initiative uplifts more than households — it uplifts the soul of our communities. We are grateful, and we are encouraged.”

Her words resonated across the constituency, reaffirming the importance of compassion-driven development.

Chipinge’s gathering also strengthened the ongoing national fight against drug and substance abuse. The community embraced the Say No to Drugs initiative led by MenBelieved, turning a Christmas event into a platform for renewal — a reminder that saving the youth is saving the nation.

But the journey did not end there. It moved southward to Bulilima in Matabeleland South — to Ntunungwe Village, where time itself seemed to pause. There, the Christmas Cheer honoured Mr. Anuloisa Banda, believed to be the oldest living person in Zimbabwe at 122 years old. His laughter, his frail but determined smile, and the tears of gratitude from his daughter-in-law, Judith Maphosa, echoed a truth that transcends season: the well-being of our elderly is a measure of our national character.

With Deputy Minister Hon. D. Phuti present, the village became a symbol of unity, culture, and shared humanity.

Across provinces, one thread tied the story together — compassion expressed with consistency, dignity, and purpose.
And at the centre of this movement stood the voice of leadership.

Speaking with the authority of a national institution aligned to Vision 2030, Group CEO Eng. Raphael Mushanawani reflected on the deeper meaning of the initiative: “As we move from NDS1 into NDS2, our mandate is clear: development must be people-centred, empowering, and inclusive. Christmas Cheer is not an event — it is a philosophy. It reminds us that progress cannot be measured only by infrastructure, but by the upliftment of every Zimbabwean. Giving back is not an obligation for us; it is a privilege and a commitment to national transformation.”

His words captured what unfolded on the ground — development fused with empathy, policy expressed through action, empowerment delivered directly to the people.

This year, Christmas did not belong to malls or cities alone. It belonged to villages where joy is rare but deeply felt.
It belonged to grandmothers who lived through seasons of hardship. It belonged to young people searching for hope.

It belonged to a nation learning, once again, that unity is our greatest wealth.
And as the echoes of the festive season carry into the new year, the Christmas Cheer campaign leaves behind a message written not on paper, but on hearts:
That no community is too small, no province too far, and no citizen too forgotten for Zimbabwe’s story of progress.