Online Reporter
Christopher Nyika
A fresh wave of hope swept across Beitbridge over the weekend as Vice President Kembo Mohadi delivered a powerful anti-drug and substance abuse message- not only through speeches but also by leveraging the unifying power of inter-district sports competition.
The 2025 KCD Mohadi Youth Sports Tournament, held at Ronnies Sports Arena, was held at a critical time for Beitbridge, a border town grappling with a recent surge in drug trafficking.
In recent months, security forces including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) have intercepted multiple consignments of BronCleer, crystal meth, dagga (commonly known as mbanje) and other illicit substances smuggled across the busy border by traffickers now resorting to using buses and trucks.
For a town often called Zimbabwe’s gateway, drugs have become a silent invader, infiltrating communities and threatening the futures of young people who are lured into substance abuse that is destroying lives daily.
Amid this tense backdrop, VP Mohadi’s sports-centered awareness campaign arrived as a timely intervention, combining entertainment, empowerment, and education for Matabeleland South’s youth, who face heightened exposure due to the border’s high activity.
Addressing thousands of youths, athletes, and community members gathered at the event, the Vice President stressed that sport is more than entertainment; it is a tool for transformation.
“Sport has the power to unite people and empower young people. Today is not just about competition; it is about protecting our youth from drugs, crime and wayward behavior,” said VP Mohadi.
The tournament, themed “Champions for Change: Fighting Drug and Substance Abuse Among Youths,” turned the football pitch and netball courts into platforms for teaching resilience, discipline, and healthy lifestyles. Competitors and spectators hailed from various districts across Matabeleland South Province.
Throughout the venue, the anti-drug message was clear. Exhibition stands from youth empowerment organisations, health professionals, and rehabilitation partners provided information on the dangers of drugs, early signs of addiction, and access to support services- demonstrating the country’s serious commitment to addressing substance abuse.
The Vice President’s message resonated strongly in Beitbridge, which has recently found itself on the frontline of Zimbabwe’s anti-drug war. ZRP and ZNA teams deployed along the Limpopo River under the “No to Cross Border Crimes Phase 20” initiative have intercepted trucks, haulage vehicles, and couriers smuggling drugs.
Authorities warn that these drugs often infiltrate schools, growth points, and low-income communities where vulnerable youths are exploited by being paid with drugs to distribute substances to their peers.
VP Mohadi described this trend as a direct threat to national development. “Many youths with a promising future
have fallen victim to drugs. Government is working tirelessly to stop this scourge by establishing rehabilitation centers in every province,” he said. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening provincial drug and substance abuse task forces to effectively address these issues at local levels, protecting the youth who are “the custodians of the country’s future.”
Beyond athletic rivalry, the tournament demonstrated how community-driven initiatives can divert young people from drugs by giving them purpose and hope for a better future.
Last year’s winners, Gwanda Tshitaudze, used their prize money to start a goat farming project, a success story VP Mohadi celebrated as evidence that sport can open doors to entrepreneurship and self-reliance, helping youth contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
The Vice President called on corporate players to invest in youth sports, describing it as a frontline defense against drugs, teenage pregnancies, and school dropouts.
Among the young attendees, the initiative was welcomed as a source of renewed hope.
“Most of us in border towns are exposed to drugs because they pass through here almost daily,” said 19-year-old Mathew, a footballer from Beitbridge. “But when leaders show up and engage us through sport, we feel seen and we make better choices.”
Parents, teachers, and community leaders at the event echoed similar sentiments, calling the tournament a “turning point” in the district’s fight against drug and substance abuse.
As he officially opened the second edition of the tournament, VP Mohadi issued a powerful challenge to the youth: “Never give up on your dreams. Every dream is possible through dedication. You are the builders of this country, and Zimbabwe needs you drug-free.”
For a border town under constant pressure from traffickers, smugglers, and social ills, the message brought a refreshing sense of unity and resilience.
Beitbridge may be the entry point for many things, but security forces along the border remain on high alert, intensifying operations to prevent illegal drugs and other contraband from entering the country. Leadership is complementing these efforts by bringing much-needed awareness campaigns to the frontline communities.
