Delta and the Youth: A Powerful Alliance to Combat...

Delta and the Youth: A Powerful Alliance to Combat Substance Abuse

Philemon Jambaya

ASSISTANT EDITOR

In a vibrant display of collaboration, Delta Corporation Limited and The Boost Fellowship joined forces to host a transformative Leadership Bootcamp in Harare.

From April 14 to 17, 2024, 106 passionate Enactus Zimbabwe student leaders from 13 universities across the nation convened, united by a powerful purpose: to tackle the critical issue of drug, substance, and alcohol abuse among Zimbabwe's youth.

This bootcamp served as a springboard for the momentous launch of the Smart Drinking and Moderation Innovation Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative set to run from April 2024 to December 2026.

Christened "Above the Influence," this challenge embodies the unwavering commitment to empower young minds to make informed choices and lead healthy lives.

The impetus for this initiative arose from a concerning statistic – a World Health Organization report revealed that approximately 12% of Zimbabwean adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 engage in heavy episodic drinking and substance abuse.

These alarming figures cast a spotlight on the urgent need for intervention. The Smart Drinking and Moderation Innovation Challenge rises as a beacon of hope, aiming to illuminate the dangers and lasting consequences of substance abuse.

By equipping young people with knowledge and fostering a spirit of advocacy, this initiative aspires to eliminate the detrimental impact this challenge has on the nation's youthful population. The bootcamp itself was a whirlwind of learning and empowerment.

Students delved into crucial topics like legislative frameworks, effective advocacy campaign strategies, and impactful community outreach techniques.

Wisdom Munemo, a student from Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, echoed the collective sentiment, “We've learned a tremendous amount about the consequences of alcohol abuse, including gang violence, school dropouts, and gender-based violence. We're equipped and enthusiastic to share this knowledge with our peers”.

The official launch ceremony on the bootcamp's fourth day witnessed a powerful address by Delta Corporation's General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Ms Patricia Murambinda.

She underscored Delta's unwavering belief that a community thrives when its youth flourishes. Ms Murambinda championed the role of university hubs as innovation powerhouses, emphasising, “As a responsible business, we prioritise the well-being of our consumers. We advocate for responsible drinking and discourage driving under the influence".

The call to action resonated deeply. Tinoda Moyo, a social media expert, ignited a spark by urging the students to leverage the power of technology and social media to advocate for safer communities.

She highlighted the transformative potential of social media in driving positive behavioral change in today's tech-savvy generation.

Sergeant Muringwa, representing the Zimbabwe Republic Police, extended a hand of collaboration.

He urged the students to report incidents and work alongside law enforcement to combat substance abuse.

"We view you as our watchdogs in your communities," Sergeant Muringwa remarked.

“We welcome this partnership with Delta Corporation and The Boost Fellowship, and we look forward to collaborating on this noble campaign”.

The students were presented with a captivating challenge – to craft innovative projects that address drug, substance, and alcohol abuse within six focus areas: illicit drinking, drinking and driving, alcohol and pregnancy, binge drinking, underage drinking, and sugary drinks and health.

Over the next eight months, these teams will spearhead awareness campaigns and implement creative solutions within their institutions and communities. The culmination of their efforts will arrive in December 2024 at the Smart Drinking and Moderation Innovation Challenge Competition.

Here, the most impactful projects will be selected for further advancement and potential investment by Delta Corporation Limited. This initiative paints a compelling picture of hope. It's a testament to the transformative power of collaboration.