Tanyaradzwa Tizora
The Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera has revealed that more than half of the Zimbabwean population has no access to the internet, creating a digital divide among citizens.
Mavetera was speaking during a joint commemoration of World Post Day 2023 and the 2023 International Day for Universal Access to information (IDUAI) that was held on October 23 at Madhlangove Primary School in Chivi district of Masvingo Province where she said access to information was the key enabler to the attainment of vision 2030.
She said though the country’s internet penetration rate was above half, it was still low and does not look very different from the 70percent offline in other African countries.
“As our internet penetration rate is above 50percent, almost half of the country’s population remains offline and does not look very different from more than 70 percent offline in other African countries.
“We strive to ensure that we leave no one and no place behind as we journey towards the attainment of the National Development(NDS1 and NDS2) and in particular ,the digital economy by 2030,” said Mavetera.
She said the primary barriers to access to internet is the affordability of devices and lack of awareness and alternative strategies to extend affordable access to communications are urgent.
“We simply cannot carry on doing things the way we have been doing and expect the exponential changes we require .Today we have launched the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) Kiosk at the district development in Chivi and we have also launched the Chivi Community Information Centers (CICs) at Chivi Post Office, both of which will extend affordable access to communications, among other benefits,” said Mavetera.
She went on to say as the ministry they were seized with development of ICTs to ensure access to information and internet by everyone.
“The Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, is seized with the ICT development of this country and beyond in terms of ICT governance, that is, policies and regulations; infrastructure development, to provide ubiquitous and robust access; as well as applications development; and cyber security,” said Mavetera.
Mavetera encouraged operators to collaborate so that the sector which is key to the socio-economic growth of the country continues to evolve, thus embracing new skills, new technologies and new ideas.
“I have already called for ideas that leave no one and no place behind .My door is open and I’m looking forward to engaging with every one of you as we take the Post to the next level,” she said.
Mavetera assured people that her Ministry will continue to play a crucial role in the digital transformation agenda by providing accessible and affordable ICT platforms to local communities to achieve universal access to information, therefore impacting the aspirations of NDS1.
The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 following the adoption of a Resolution which declared 28 September of every year as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) to increase awareness of the right to information.
