Online Reporter
Features Reporter
A GLIMMER of compunction and salvation glazes his eyes as he relives the path once trodden of feats and roads untravelled, rousing nods and uneasy smiles from the audience. But the story levels regret and even better, it inspires.
Tonderai Maphosa’s journey is not just a voice; it is a sober reminder of the realities we often overlook in daily life. One story among many becomes the beginning of a long, fruitful struggle that offers salvation to those willing to listen. As you voyage with Tonderai, you share in his battle and celebrate his victory.
“It took me 14 years to complete my academic journey to earn a degree, it took more than courage to come out of the darkest moments of my life because of drugs,” he lamented.
Tonderai told listeners on Harare Poly Campus Radio and Power FM that drugs destroyed everything and everyone around him stage by stage as he helplessly watched and made matters worse until he finally came around and decided to fight the addiction.
Harare Poly FM Campus Radio collaborated with Power FM Zimbabwe in a simulcast to deliver the third instalment of the Voices Against Addiction radio programme. This was the first time for the Campus Radio to join the airwaves with an established station to broadcast.
Cascading interest into the crowd, Toto put a jab into his own character. He drew some laughter, sober and intense moments with the story of life in plain honesty, and baring it all at that.
“I was a simple boy from church when I went to varsity, met friends and tried things that turned my whole life upside down and separated me from my family and those who loved me,” he said.
From being the son of an academic professor to committing transgressions against Solusi University, where his father was Vice Chancellor, Tonderai’s descent was steep. He became a drifter chasing the next high, losing sight of his purpose. But for Toto, the turning point came the day he decided he wanted out. It was not easy, but it was necessary.
“When my mother was on her deathbed, I could not see her and bid my farewell and this is the worst part of memory for any man to live with,” Toto said.
But for Toto, the stroke that broke the camel’s back was the day he decided that he wanted out of it all. Even though it was not an easy going, it was something that he needed.
He narrated his breakthrough to a curios live audience of students at Harare Polytechnic in a tone that signalled not only triumph, but the pain of seeing light at the end of a self-dug tunnel, “I went to see Dr Sitotombe at ANNEX and told him that I need to be sober and get out of addiction for the rest of my life,” he said.
“This time, I mean it, I am done with this life,” added Toto.
I was told that, “if you really want change in your life, it must be from inside, there is no cure for this except from within.”
Tonderai lost his life, but years later, his father finally accepted him and joined him on a crusade to raise awareness against the harsh realities of addiction.
His biggest struggle now is to reach as many people as possible with his story to make a difference.
Speaking at the event, Harare Polytechnic public relations officer Mr Admire Masuku stressed the importance of collaborating to overcome the challenges caused by the proliferation of drugs and dangerous substances that destroy the youth.
“We must endeavour to achieve good results by coming together and confronting this problem with honesty because the productivity of the whole nation depends on that. As an institution, we are concerned with creating a better tomorrow and it begins with a sober-minded student,” he added.
Masuku said it is worrying to witness the future of young people being claimed by drugs and brilliant minds not being able to contribute to national development.
Power FM manager, Mr Leander Kandiero, told the students to take a leaf from Toto’s testimony and help others who might be confronting the urge to be free from addiction.
“Amongst us right now, there could be someone who needs to hear this story; it might change their life. This is not the beginning nor is it the end, but we will grow these voices louder until we reach every possible corner of the nation,” said Kandiero.
Kandiero appreciated Harare Polytechnic for the platform to simulcast with Poly FM as an important synergy in reaching the majority of the youth in tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe.
Voices Against Addiction is a movement born by Power FM Zimbabwe as a response to the surge in the uptake of illegal and dangerous substances in the country. The most affected age is between 12 and 35, the most productive age group, raising concerns at the national level.
