By Ottilia Dube
Residents of Zimbili Village in Ward 19, Umzingwane District, are grappling with serious challenges caused by poor cellphone network coverage.
The unreliable network has made it difficult for villagers to access important information, use digital technologies such as smartphones, or connect to the internet, issues that have continued since 2023.
One of the Zimbili villagers, Vincent Khuphe, said network reception for all major service providers such as Econet, NetOne and Telecel were poor.
“For Telecel, it’s non-existent,” he said, highlighting that locals were asking telecommunications providers and relevant authorities to urgently address the issue to improve livelihoods and access to information in the area.
Khuphe believes the problem may stem from the collapse of the Mlanjaneni booster station (locally known as ‘Whites Run’), which was damaged by strong winds two years ago and has not been repaired since.
“NetOne used to be strong in the area, but now the signal is very weak. The same applies to Econet,” he added.
Khuphe appealed to local authorities for intervention.
“Maybe the local councillor or Member of Parliament can take this up with the service providers,” he said.
Another villager, Fortunate Ndlovu, highlighted that while some areas in the ward have partial coverage, most remain underserved.
“This makes it difficult for people to access social media or receive timely information,” she said.
Ndlovu added that the poor network affects not only communication but also the local economy, making it hard for business owners to connect with customers or markets.
Dumisani Moyo, also from the village, expressed concern that the lack of consistent internet access isolates residents from news and opportunities.
“Students are missing out on scholarships, and job seekers can’t search or even apply for employment online,” he said.
This story was produced as part of the CITE Youth Network training program, which aims to empower young women in rural communities with digital skills, enhancing their ability to create and share community news.