By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere has called on communities to cherish and value ICTs.
In launching Community Information Centres in Harare Province, Dr Muswere appealed to people to guard against vandalism and theft.
“Life was certainly going to be unbearable during the pandemic without ICTs, but we continued to work online, learn online, do business and keep in touch with loved ones.
“In this regard, let us cherish and value ICTs.
“In so doing – let us safeguard our Community Information Centres from theft and vandalism and let us make full use of them for our own benefit.”
The call came after it was reported that a server installed at Causeway Zimpost had been stolen.
“While we recall the horrors of COVID 19, one thing we certainly learnt from the Pandemic, it is the centrality of ICTs to humanity,” he said.
“While physical interaction and activities came to a screeching halt, ICTs became the conduit for our continued living – for our continued learning, for our continued trade, for our continued business and for our continued interaction.”
Minister Muswere also appreciated the synergies and collaboration between the Ministry, POTRAZ and ZIMPOST in the setting up and running of CICs.
“It is through such partnerships and collaboration that as a country, we can bridge the digital divide and enhance participation of marginalised communities, in the Digital Economy,” he said.
Dr Muswere said digital inclusion was dependant on the availability of content in local languages and dialects.
“I cannot over-emphasise the need for the development of local content if this Community Information Centre is to make the desired impact among the local communities.
“If properly developed and marketed such content can also create employment for the local communities,” he said.
Dr Muswere called upon communities to start identifying local content that could be made available through the Internet for the benefit of the local community.
To date, a total of 170 CICs have been established country wide and an additional 32 are under construction and will open their doors to the public next year.
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