ED hails women in leadership

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has hailed women in leadership for their critical role and contribution to the Government’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and national economic development.

He made the remarks during the commissioning of the US$23,6 million National Backbone Fibre Optic Links in Beitbridge on Wednesday.

The President also commended TelOne’s managing director, Mrs Chipo Mtasa, for having successfully superintended over the project.

He said it was important for all Zimbabweans to actively participate in local and national economic development matters.

“This infrastructure is one of the most reliable routes in the Southern Africa region,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Zimbabwe is determined to be on board the train on modernisation. I commend TelOne for the prudent manner they utilised financial resources of this Government-initiated and guaranteed project. I urge all public entities to take a leaf from this good example and instil a culture of good stewardship, hard honest work, accountability and transparency in the implementation of national projects.

“I know that Mrs Mtasa is the head this company. I am not sure if this should persuade me to have women leading parastatals. The days of incomplete projects and non-payment of loans are over. We must honour our obligations to those who support us.

President Mnangagwa said TelOne (Pvt) Limited was one of the companies that Government put forward for partial privatisation.

“I am confident that this robust infrastructure we are commissioning today will help the company to attract the most suitable strategic partners,” he said.

President Mnangagwa called on players

President Mnangagwa

in the ICT sector, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to research and innovate and boost services that ride on the latest huge Internet capability.

The President said the link should be a catalyst in Government’s quest to modernise and industrialise the economy, both in rural and urban areas.

“We must move out of our comfort zones and put aside archaic methods of how we have always done things, and instead ask how we can do things better,” said President Mnangagwa.

“By embracing technology and connectivity, we are embracing the future, and giving our people the best opportunities to thrive in the modern economy.”

President Mnangagwa directed all Government ministries and departments to move with speed to improve efficiency

Mrs Mtasa

of public services through the use of ICT solutions for the convenience of the people.

He said the establishment of the links had completed the connectivity of Zimbabwe with its neighbours, including South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia.

“The link will also provide transit services that enable SADC members to be connected to the whole world through a robust fibre network,” he said.

The link, which connects Beitbridge with Bulawayo, Harare, Masvingo and the rest of the country using underground cables, is expected to reduce operating costs for the network provider (TelOne) by 40 percent.

The benefits are expected to cascade to consumers.

It was constructed by TelOne in partnership with Huawei Technologies and funded by the China Exim Bank.