Scaling Mountains for Signal: Hwange Villagers Risk Heights for Network Access
HWANGE – Villagers in Nekavandama, Ward 12, Hwange, struggle with poor mobile network connectivity, forcing them to climb mountains and trees just to make phone calls.
The absence of reliable communication is creating challenges in education, governance and local businesses, leaving residents frustrated and disconnected.
Ward 12 councillor Jowani Chuma expressed concern over the impact of weak network infrastructure on essential services.
“We are losing a lot of critical staff here to other areas with better connectivity.
“This is a major setback for our learners because frequent teacher transfers lead to poor pass rates and widen the digital divide between rural and urban students,” he said.
The issue goes beyond education, affecting daily life and governance. “To access council meeting notices, I have no choice but to climb a mountain.
“The area is full of wild animals like elephants, and only a few brave men attempt this at night. Women are unable to do so due to the dangers involved,” he said.
According to NewsDay, former Speaker of the National Assembly Lovemore Moyo condemned the poor network coverage in Matabeleland, stressing that similar issues affect areas such as Matobo.
“The absence of a reliable network is retrogressive and negatively impacts businesses, especially tourism.
Some villagers even risk snake bites while climbing trees in search of connectivity,” he said.
Moyo urged service providers to improve infrastructure in remote areas, emphasizing the importance of digital access.
“Reliable communication networks are essential for development in any location,” he said.
Despite repeated calls for intervention, service providers have yet to address the issue, leaving residents feeling neglected.
Yet, for Hwange villagers, digital access remains a distant dream, forcing them to risk their lives for something as basic as making a phone call.
The question remains: How long will rural communities continue to suffer from digital exclusion while the rest of the world moves forward?.
