Blessing Nduku
In a landmark development for rural connectivity and digital inclusion, NetOne, Zimbabwe’s leading mobile network provider, officially commissioned a new base station in Gokwe Msala under its “Digitilize Zimbabwe” campaign.
Engineer Raphael Mushanawan
The commissioned Netone base station in Msala, will also benefit previously marginalized communities in Lupani and neighboring Binga who have never had access to cellular system connectivity since the introduction of cellphones in the country. For communities to get access to the cellphone network, people used to walk for more than 15 km.
The event drew senior government officials, sector leaders and community members, marking a major stride in bringing digital access and socio-economic empowerment to one of the country’s remote communities.
Guest of Honour, the Honourable Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr. Tatenda Mavetera, led the delegation, joined by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen “Mudha” Ncube, and the Deputy Minister of ICT, Hon Dingimuzi Phuti.
The launch also saw the presence of POTRAZ Director General Dr. Gift Kallisto Machengete, representatives from the Mutapa Organisation, and sector CEOs, including Mr. Nkala of TelOne.
In his keynote address, NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, described the launch not just as a technological advancement but as a symbol of inclusive developThe Sun 08- 25 September 2025ment and empowerment.
“This base station is more than a tower. To me, it is like the tall mutondo tree that stands in the middle of the village. From it, everyone finds shade. From it, everyone finds direction.”
He emphasized that the project aligns with the national vision under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the preparatory stages of NDS2, as outlined by His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, to ensure that “no place and no one should be left behind.
“We do not only connect your phones. We connect your lives. We connect your child to knowledge. We connect your family to clean water. We connect your community to opportunity. Beyond connectivity, NetOne is transforming the Msala community with tangible socio-economic projects. Eng Mushanawani added.
“We have not come empty-handed. NetOne has equipped your schools with modern computers. For many of our children, the nearest library used to be a tree under which the teacher kept old textbooks. But now, those children can open a computer and connect with the world.
A child here in Msala can research the same way a child in Harare can. They can dream bigger, learn faster, and prepare to be doctors, engineers, and business leaders. I always say, a rural child is not a lesser child. With the right tools, that child is unstoppable.
Local schools received computers to enable digital learning, while new solar-powered boreholes, drip irrigation systems and nutritional gardens were installed to address water scarcity and food security.
He also took a moment to celebrate the community spirit and resilience of the people of Msala and neighboring Binga, declaring that the company’s footprint would soon extend further into underconnected regions.
In a humorous but poignant moment, he noted, “Data bundles are important, but sadza is more important.
