PLUMTREE musical group Toundtainment last week tied their shoe laces to complete a 100
km walkathon from Bulawayo to their hometown in a bid to send a strong message to the
community on the dangers caused by drugs and substance abuse in society.
The two artists, Lewis Sibanda (26) and his brother Babongile Sibanda (29) braved the
scorching sun and walked the 100km to raise awareness against the surge of drug abuse,
which has reached alarming point in the country.
Babongile Sibanda said he was concerned recently by Dominican students who were expelled
from school because of substance uptake.
It came as a shock to me that youths are engaging in drugs and substance use and the
majority are keeping this vice under the carpet, we want to raise awareness and shed light that
drugs are not a solution," he said.
He was concerned that there was also a surge in drug abusers in Plumtree, which needs
solution with immediate effect.
There was a gloomy atmosphere when I recently visited Slima Village on the outskirts of
Plumtree town. It was indeed disheartening to see a young boy in deep slumber (Ukusticka,
in street lingo) while standing, all because of drugs.
It is my wish that youth centres and other recreational facilities are built so that they keep
youth active. It will surely divert their minds from drug habits, while those that are addicted
would eventually need rehabilitation centres and support. That’s our plea to the
Government, he said.
Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospital Industry, Nqobizitha Mangaliso
Ndlovu, joined the walkathon from the 23km peg to complete the journey while some
residents completed from the15km peg.
It was indeed a good project as we managed to rub shoulders with Hon Ndlovu, who vowed
to revive our border town for the good cause and we really applaud all our colleagues who
joined us on this awareness. We anticipate it will surely yield good results, said Lewis.
The duo’s walkathon which ran under the theme No to Drug Abuse saw a sizeable number
of Plumtree residents welcoming the heroes after a 20-hour non-stop walkathon.
