Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
NETONE has launched its 2026 Winter Drive in partnership with KidzCan Zimbabwe, donating blankets, bed sheets and other essential winter supplies to support children undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers during the cold season.
The donation was handed over at the Harare-based facility that provides accommodation, meals and other critical support services to children receiving cancer treatment from across the country.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Monday, NetOne Public Relations Manager Mr Ernest Magadzire said the intervention was aimed at providing immediate relief to vulnerable children and families facing difficult circumstances.
“Winter cannot wait while we are preparing for our fundraising golf tournament later this month,” he said.
“We felt it was important to act now and provide immediate support to children and families facing one of the most difficult battles of their lives.
“Through this partnership with KidzCan, we are delivering not only warmth, but also hope and reassurance that they are not alone.”
Mr Magadzire said the initiative reflects NetOne’s commitment to supporting health and social welfare programmes while contributing towards national and global development goals.
“Through this partnership with KidzCan, we are investing in the health and well-being of vulnerable children while contributing towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being,” he said.
He added that the winter donation campaign marks the beginning of NetOne’s 2026 Winter Drive and builds momentum towards the NetOne-KidzCan Charity Golf Tournament scheduled for later this month in Bulawayo.
Funds raised during the tournament will go towards supporting children undergoing cancer treatment and improving access to essential care services.
KidzCan Zimbabwe Executive Director Mr Daniel McKenzie welcomed the donation, saying it demonstrated the importance of collective action in supporting children battling cancer.
“We say that it takes a village to raise a child, but whose village is it? It is our village and our children,” he said.
Mr McKenzie said the blankets and other winter items would bring comfort and warmth to young patients and their caregivers during the cold season.
“Even just the blankets, especially at this time of winter, will bring a lot of joy and warmth,” he said.
He stressed that supporting children with cancer goes beyond medical treatment and includes ensuring they have access to proper nutrition and a supportive environment.
“We say that the best treatment for childhood cancer is food more than medicine,” said Mr McKenzie.
