The Sunday News
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Business Correspondent
COMMUNITIES countrywide have been called upon to adapt to the “new normal” life brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and take up use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).
In an effort to make sure that ICTs are at the forefront of everyday life for every citizen, the Government has committed to reviving Community Information Centres (CICs) as these facilities are viewed as drivers of capacitating communities with contemporary survival skills and economic growth.
It had been a long-held concern that communities in remote areas have no access to ICTs, in what has widened the digital gap between the “progressing” urban societies and their “laid back” rural counterparts. This is in line with meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of placing ICTs at the fore of development.
Last week the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services fulfilled its promise to provide access to ICTs launched CICs at Victoria Falls’ Chinotimba Township and at Sanyati in Mashonaland West. The launch of the two CIS comes as the country has reached a mobile penetration rate of 94,2 percent up from the 10,4 percent recorded in 2008, according to data from the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (Potraz). Internet penetration rate has also been consistently on the rise at 59,1 percent.
The Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said ICTs are key in developing communities and propel economic growth.
“Government has identified ICTs as one of the pillars and cornerstones for economic development, and Community Information Centres play an enabling role in our quest to provide access to ICTs to the citizenry, especially those in remote and under-served areas of the country.
While Chinotimba CIC has been operating, it was not officially handed over to the local community and we saw it necessary that despite the Covid-19 induced lockdown, we make the operationalisation of this facility official.”
Minister Muswere said access to ICTs will enhance literacy levels among individuals and help them adapt to an ever-changing world environment.
“As a ministry we have a mandate to ensure that all Zimbabweans have access to ICTs and basic ICT literacy, regardless of their social or economic standing, or their geographical location. The role of human capital in the ICT sector cannot be underestimated. If we are to make effective use of ICTs and other emerging technologies, as a country, the right skills and competencies must be in place at all levels,” he said.
The minister added that Government’s ICT policy aims to ensure that all citizens have access to broadband connectivity, including for rural and low-income communities.
“A number of initiatives are being rolled out, through the Universal Service Fund, to increase access to ICTs among rural communities.”
Owing to countless challenges affecting the economy, Zimbabwe’s ICT sector has been hit by brain drain, leaving the country with a skills gap. Minister Muswere said it is high time young people take up ICT skills and contribute to development.
“Growth in this sector can only be achieved when we have a large pool of qualified personnel in the different spheres of the ICT industry. I therefore, call upon our youths to take up studies in the different disciplines in the ICT sector and to make use of the facilities we are commissioning.”
Of late the Government has been on a drive to promote education in schools and universities that is ICTs oriented, which Minister Muswere said was pivotal in skills training. Almost all State universities are now equipped with information hubs that are used for research, skills development and are also accessed by communities as well “In line with the country’s thrust of Education 5.0, and the aspirations of attaining middle income status by year 2030, the Innovation Drive is assisting innovation hubs at universities in the acquisition of the tools and equipment required to support the attainment of this national vision,” he said.
