By Kudakwashe Pembere
Delta launches Delta Beverages launched a challenge dubbed ‘Above the influence’ which saw university students compete for top honours for the best innovation.
The challenge is a partnership between Delta Beverages, The Boost Fellowship, and University students from 11 Institutions in the country that presented innovative solutions to combat alcohol abuse. The program is backed by a USD$6000 prize fund.
Speaking at the event, Delta non-executive director, Emma Fundira highlighted the company’s long-lasting commitment to responsible drinking.
“Delta has been involved in promoting responsible alcohol consumption for over 126 years.
“Our campaigns advocate for no alcohol consumption among those under 18, discourage binge drinking, and encourage the use of designated drivers to prevent drunk driving,” she said.
She encouraged students, to take this investment as a pillar of inspiration.
“The value of the resources and effort invested in this innovation challenge should challenge you to work hard to improve yourselves academically so that in turn you may be able to further develop your communities, and those that come after you,” she said.
Delta’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs Patricia Murambinda, spoke in an interview with H-Metro, explaining the objectives of the program.
“As a company that produces alcohol, we urge responsible drinking, especially among those over the age of 18.
“We also strongly discourage binge drinking and encourage people to always have a designated driver when going out,” she said.
She said, the campaign’s focus on university students aims to harness their creativity and ideas to address the pressing issue of drug and alcohol abuse.
“We chose to work with university students because they are the future leaders who can come up with innovative solutions to fight this epidemic,” she said.
Meanwhile Midlands State University walked away winners of the challenge. The University cashed in a total of US$ 3141 from the competition. Hazel Mukedeya from MSU said they were delighted winning the challenge.
“We are very, very, very excited. We put a lot of work into it. We were able to engage our community through the partnerships of Delta.
“So starting with the book, it was targeted at ages 8 to 10. It was all about a boy named Sam and his friend Ben. They’re walking through the journey of life, understanding the dangers of underage drinking and making wise choices.
“And then for the game, Dash and Decide, it looks through Sam’s life as he’s walking through the game. He’s playing for every glass of water he has; he gets a life. For every glass of alcohol, he loses his life,” she said.
Zimbabwe Republic Police head of the Criminal Investigations Department Superintendent Michael Chibaya commended the organizers for bringing in students to provide innovative solutions noting they will assist them in coming up with well-informed decisions.
“Like for instance, you know when we are policing this drug and substance abuse, you cannot tell by eye to say, this is an illegal substance or a drug. You need to be guided by science.
“So those innovations, they will come out if they are promoted, if they are incentivized, if they are given enough resources, they will develop themselves.
“And us will also use those technologies to determine this drug, and it will be easier for us to fight in this state,” he said.
Delta launches campaign against alcohol and substance abuse
