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Evelene Taadira Herald Reporter
Computer Society of Zimbabwe has hailed President Mugabe for appreciating the role of information technology in the development of the country through maintaining a separate ministry tasked to deal with the sector.Computer Society of Zimbabwe past president Mr Lawrence Gudza said this yesterday while addressing journalists on the association’s impending summer school.

Mr Gudza also lauded the appointment of Cde Webster Shamu to head the Ministry Information and Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.

“We view the appointment of Minister Webster Shamu to this ministry as a very positive move by Government and an endorsement of the importance of ICTs in the country,” said Mr Gudza.

“The ministry came into effect in the previous Government and the fact that it has been retained is laudable, because the momentum has been maintained.”

Mr Gudza also welcomed the new components to the ministry.
“We are so grateful, we hope there will always be a minister for such. The added responsibilities in postal and courier services are also related to information technology,” he said.

Mr Gudza said he was confident that the national ICTs policy would soon be passed into law.
“We want it to become the law, the policy will ensure co-ordinated efforts and we hope it will sail through and ensure a level play-field regulating all practices so that they are fair to operators and users,” he said.

The national ICTs policy seeks to promote national scientific and technological self-reliance, provides a comprehensive framework for the country to develop and harness science and technology for development and allows better co-ordination and direction in research and development activities in all sectors of the economy.

Close to 200 delegates are expected to convene for the Computer Society of Zimbabwe summer school in November to deliberate on ways of maximising the use of technology for the benefit of the country.