Staff Writer
ICT, Postal And Courier Services Minister Dr Tatenda Mavetera says affordability of devices and lack of awareness remain the main barriers to Internet use.
Officiating at the Joint Commemoration of World Post Day 2023 and the 2023 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) Monday in Chivi, Dr Mavetera said although Zimbabwe’s Internet penetration rate was 65.2%, almost half of the country’s population remained offline and does not look very different from the more than 70% offline in other African countries.
“The barriers to Internet use for many people are, therefore, not that they are not covered by a signal, but that people do not have the resources to get online – the primary barriers being the cost of devices as well as the price of data,” she said.
“It may surprise you that some of those who do not use the Internet do not know what the Internet is.
“While human development is necessary for dealing with ‘digital inequity’, 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.”
Dr Mavetera launched the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) Kiosk at the Distric Development Office and the Chivi Community Information Centres (CICs) at Chivi Post Office, both of which would extend affordable access to communications, among other benefits.
She said the ministry was seized with issues to do with synergy between the Post and all stakeholders in the value chain such as customs, airlines, logistics providers, financial institutions, and e-retailers just to name a few.
In this way, she said, the Post could meet the demands of today’s techno-savvy customers who not only buy online but also communicate online from the comfort of their various locations.
She said the pace of Postal transformation must be accelerated by embracing the digital ecosystem.
“We need to harness new activities! We cannot stand still! It can no longer be business as usual. There are many opportunities for the sector to harness. For example;
– Since 2011 we have witnessed a huge increase in the number of people who have bank accounts and use technology to manage their finances.
– Mobile banking has grown phenomenally.
– We have witnessed a significant change in consumer behaviour concerning financial services.
– Financial inclusion is now one of the SDGs.
“This is a gap that can be filled by postal financial services. Postal payments services – in their current set-up need to be revamped.”
The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) was proclaimed by the 74th United Nations General Assembly as a recognition of the significance of access to information.
The Day 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.
The World Post Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the importance of postal and courier services in facilitating communication, commerce, and connectivity between people and businesses across the globe.
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