Murewa Information Centre opens

INFORMATION Communication Technology and Cyber Security Minister Supa Mandiwanzira last week opened Murewa Information Centre as Government intensifies its drive to give the rural populace access to ICTs.

Speaking after touring the Murewa Information Centre, Minister Mandiwanzira said the programme of bringing ICTs to the people was an ongoing national exercise intended to equip mostly the rural populace with ICT knowledge.

“Government will not rest until everyone from every corner of the country has access to information.

“This is an ongoing exercise, the new dispensation under President ED Mnangagwa said we must leapfrog to make sure there is maximum penetration of ICTs in our country,” Minister Mandiwanzira said.

He urged people to make use of Information Centres near them objectively and acquire economically developmental knowledge and skills and help develop the country.

In an onterview with The Herald, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director-general Dr Gift Machengete concurred with Minister Mandiwanzira saying that people should utilise information centres to acquire knowledge and skills, which will help them develop their communities.

“As an organisation, we have a mandate to ensure that ICTs are accessed by everyone, it is part and parcel of us to promote ICTs in the country and we want everyone to learn how to use electronic methods of accessing information. That is why in most of the information centres that we open, there is also a training room where people will be trained on how to operate computers,” he said.

He said the response from people especially those from rural areas where information centres were opened wass overwhelming.

“When we embarked on this programme last year more than 800 000 people were trained from our sites across the country, and there is still demand for ICTs around the country. We will not rest till we bring technology to everyone,” he said.

Meanwhile, Government has established 70 Communication Information Centres countrywide with the aim of empowering rural folk,

writes Melissa

Addressing high school girls from 10 districts at the launch of Girls in ICT Day in Mashonaland East Province on Tuesday last week, director in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security (ICT) Mrs Georgina Chingonzo urged the schoolgirls to take advantage of Government’s ICT initiatives.

The event was held at Monte Cassino High School in Macheke. It was graced by major players in the ICT industry.

“As we celebrate girls in ICT today with the theme ‘Expanding Horizons, Changing Attitudes”, we choose to make a difference as women through the full utilisation of ICTs for for individual and community.

“I encourage you to interact with each other and other stakeholders here present so that you benefit fully from this. ICT presents tremendous opportunity for women”, said Mrs Chingonzo.

The ministry has partnered the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) and Zimpost to provide ICT services in rural areas.

“There are now over 70 functional CICs. The intention is to have ICTs accessible to the majority of people living in the rural areas including women and girls,” said Mrs Chingonzo.

Guest of honour and psychologist Mrs Nyaradzo Marimbidze encouraged girls to consider ICT-related careers.

“For you to be able to expand your horizon, change your attitude, reach highest potential and harness the power of ICT. You need to dream big,” she said.

“You also need to invest in right relationships. You need to run with the giants and soar like eagles.

She encouraged a reading culture among young people.

Mrs Marimbidze urged girls to use ICT in a manner that develops them.

“You have to use ICT responsibly and to stop abusing social media by cyber bullying and passing on of nude photographs and abusing sexuality through social media but to use it to build the country and to create business.”

Eight girls won laptops courtesy of Potraz.

International Girls in ICT Day is an initiative backed by International Telecommunications Union members.