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By Ross Moyo
NetOne PR Officer Rudo Vicente today read the NetOne Partnership Address on behalf of the company at the Zimbabwe Comrades Marathon Achievement Awards 2026, held at Monomotapa Hotel, Harare, under the theme “30 Years Strong – The Endurance to Go Further.”
The event was today Sunday, 11 October, from 1 p.m., with a touch of comrades marked “1 DAY TO GO.”
The address, delivered to athletes, Comrades community, sponsors and partners, linked NetOne’s 30th anniversary to the spirit of the world’s greatest ultramarathon.
“In 2026, NetOne celebrates 30 years of connecting Zimbabwe. Thirty years of growth. Thirty years of overcoming challenges. Thirty years of connecting families, communities, businesses and our nation. There could hardly be a more fitting community with which to celebrate this milestone than the men and women of the Comrades Marathon. NetOne and the Comrades story share one powerful truth: Endurance builds greatness,” Vicente read.
The event celebrates Zimbabwe’s historic performance at the 2026 Comrades 85.777km Up Run — the equivalent of two marathons back-to-back.
Vicente paid special tribute to Zimbabwe’s top women:
“We congratulate Nobukhosi Tshuma, who delivered an extraordinary performance to finish second in the women’s race in 5 hours, 53 minutes and 36 seconds. We also celebrate Loveness Madziva, who achieved an outstanding sixth-place finish in 6 hours, 9 minutes and 54 seconds. Two Zimbabwean women among the top ten women in one of the world’s most celebrated ultramarathons.”
Nobukhosi Tshuma leading, followed by Loveness and Nomagugu at today’s marathon were the face of Zimbabwe’s endurance.
30 Years Strong
Vicente drew parallels between Comrades and NetOne’s journey:
“Like an endurance athlete, an organisation does not travel for three decades without encountering hills. There are climbs. There are difficult kilometres. There are moments when conditions change. But you keep moving.”
She said NetOne’s next chapter will be defined by greater innovation, inclusion, deeper connection and stronger impact, noting: “The finish line of one journey becomes the starting line of another.”
Wellness is ESG
Vicente said the partnership speaks to NetOne’s Environmental, Social and Governance agenda, with the “S” focused on people, health and inclusion.
“A healthy nation is a productive nation. You do not need to run 85 kilometres to begin your wellness journey. Walk one kilometre. Run five. Take on ten. Attempt a half marathon. Run a marathon. And perhaps one day, dare yourself to stand at the starting line of Comrades. What matters is taking that first step.”
Invitation to Corporate Zimbabwe
Using the platform, Vicente invited more companies to support wellness and athletics:
“What if more Zimbabwean companies supported running and wellness programmes? What if corporate wellness became embedded in organisational culture? What if young Zimbabweans could look at today’s award recipients and say: ‘One day, that could be me.’ No single organisation needs to carry the entire distance. That is the power of partnership: we can go further when we move together.”
She congratulated all award recipients, including those supported by NetOne and fellow partners listed including NetOne, CBZ Bank, First Mutual, 75 Brands Consulting Group, Musabvunda, JumboBets, RTG Rainbow Tourism Group Ltd, Holiday Inn by IHG and Monomotapa Harare powered by NAAZ.
Closing, Vicente said:
“Never allow the distance ahead to make you forget the distance already travelled. Thirty years strong. Connected by purpose. Strengthened by endurance. And together, ready to go further. I thank you.”
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