By Desire Tshuma
Manicaland – The mist‑kissed hills of Honde Valley roared to life over the weekend as runners surged across the 5 km fun run, 10 km, 21 km and 42 km courses in the recent NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon.
Beyond promoting physical activity, the Netone Albun Marathon is spearheading a comprehensive national dialogue on holistic wellness, empowering citizens to make healthier lifestyle choices for greater productivity and longevity.
“A health nation is a productive nation. We encourage every Zimbabwean to stay healthy and strong as this is the foundation for not only a longer life but also for greater productivity in building our families, our communities and our country ” Netone Group CEO Engineer Raphael Mushanawani .
Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality praised the synergy between sport and travel._“Seeing athletes from across the region weave through tea estates, waterfalls and coffee plantations shows the world that Zimbabwe’s tourism tapestry is vibrant and welcoming. The marathon puts Honde Valley on the global map” . Minister Rwodzi championed a farm to table approach encouraging the public to tap into the First Lady’ s gastronomy drive.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza endorsed the drive for health populace . ” Let us continue to champion a healthier lifestyle across our beautiful province. To our young boys and girls, i say stay fit and healthy. Your discipline today could see you scouted for international opportunities in various sporting disciplines, putting both you and Zimbabwe on the global map ”
By aligning the marathon with these multifaceted health and wellness messages , Netone demonstrates a deep understanding that national fitness extends beyond excercise . It encompasses nutrition, economic empowerment for women and families and the creation of pathways for youth advancement.
Netone’s commitment, through its Health and Care pillar is to foster resilient communities where citizens are empowered to live longer , more productive, and more fulfilling lives. The Netone Albun Marathon stands as a vibrant testament to this vision , proving that corporate leadership can effectively ignite a nationwide movement towards a healthier, stronger Zimbabwe.