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Stakeholders march through the streets of Chinotimba as part of the commemorations of the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day that was held in Victoria Falls last week

Thousands of Zimbabweans last week joined the joined the rest of the World in celebrating the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day 2015 in the resort town of Victoria Falls.

This year’s celebrations were also marking the 150th anniversary of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The day came about following a resolution by the World Summit on information society in November 2005 that called upon the United Nations general assembly to declare May 17 of each year, a day when nations can focus on the importance of ICTs.

Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister Dr Win Mlambo, who was guest of honour, said the day was very important given the critical role that ICTs play in modern society.

“Therefore before all of us are carried away in the celebrations, please allow me to recap the objectives of this important day, that it is to raise global awareness of societal changes brought about by the internet and new technologies and build a people centred, inclusive information society based on fundamental human rights. It also aims to help reduce the digital divide,” he said.

The deputy minister also said that although technological developments have greatly contributed to the human social economic development, people should be worried about being enslaved by the same machines that should help them.

“Let us be cautious about how we use these technologies, our children spend lots of time on these gadgets, it gets worrisome, if you spend so much time on them you become a virtual slave of technology instead of mastering it to achieve your goals

In his message read by Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe acting director general Mr Buxton Sirewu, UN secretary-general Ban Ki Moon said ICTs had the capacity to transform lives and help boost the economy and protect the environment.

“This is a milestone the 150th anniversary of ITU, the 70th universal of United nations and the potential starting year for transforming our world, let us work together to harness the power of technology for our common future,” he said.

In his statement that was also read on his behalf, ITU`s secretary general Mr Houlin Zhao said that there was a lot to celebrate for the Union due to several positive development that have occurred over the years.

“As we celebrate our 150th anniversary we look back with pride at our accomplishment and we look forward to the future as we respond to the rapid changes in the global ICT environment.

“The innovations with and from ICTs and the implementation of these technologies pervade every aspect of our lives. ICTs are also the catalyst for shaping the post 2015 development agenda and achieving our goal for sustainable development,” he said.

All telecommunications companies operating in the company, Telone, Netone, Telecel, Powertel, Africom and Econet Wireless Zimbabwe were represented at the highest level.

The celebrations also included music and dance with the main act being Sulumani Chimbetu.

◆ The writer is the editor for TechnoMag, more in depth on www.technomag.co.zw. TechnoMag is Zimbabwe`s Premiere Technology Magazine, More In depth from; www.technomag.co.zw on http://technom.ag/iV. Follow us on Tweeter at TechnoMagZw. And like us on ww.facebook.com/technomagzw