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Herald Correspondent

THE Zvimba community has hailed the Government for including the elderly in the digital space by urging them to embrace the internet through the use of smart gadgets.

During the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day held at Murombedzi growth point, the elderly welcomed the Government’s decision of including them in the use of modern technology.

Mrs Eretina Musvaruki said she was happy that the Government has remembered them in the digital economy.

“This has never happened in Zvimba and this is the first time we have seen old people like us being urged to use the internet,” she said.

“We would like to thank the Government for such an initiative and for remembering us old people. We also want to thank our ancestors for looking upon us and giving us a leader who knows how to take care of the elderly people in rural communities.”

Mrs Plaxedes Mujuru echoed the same sentiments and said: “We would like to thank our President for remembering us. This empowerment will go a long way in helping us the elderly people to learn how to us modern technology and embrace the technology.”

Mr Wilson Dhuruvenge said they were happy with the kind of leadership they were witnessing in the Second Republic.

“We are very happy with this kind of leadership. The President is taking care of us and we are very grateful because this has never happened in the Zvimba community.”

Mr Fabian Chinatsa said they were happy with their inclusion on the digital divide. 

“This is exceptional and we would like to commend the Government for such an initiative because it is our first time to be included in issues to do with technology. The Government has said that we the elderly people should not be left behind in term of embracing technology and this is commendable decision. On behalf of the Zvimba community I would like to express our gratitude to the Government for including us in issues to do with modern technology.”

Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Jenfan Muswere said no one and no place should be left behind in the digital economy.

“The Ministry has embarked on an initiative to introduce ICTs to all areas in Zimbabwe which are marginalised, remote and have no mobile network coverage let alone internet access, such areas like Hurungwe, Nyakomba, Mlambapele, Thuli, Mola, Mudzi to name but a few,” he said.

“As the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services we are endeavouring towards making sure there is availability of ICT infrastructure throughout the country to help provide internet connectivity by rolling out various programmes and projects like the ICT Lab per school project, which speaks to connect a school connect a community drive, and the various Community Information Centres in many rural districts, growth points and service centres across Zimbabwe.”

Postal and Telecommunications Regulation Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director-general Dr Gift Machengete said older persons have been neglected, left behind and forgotten when it comes to issues of ICTs.

“Unlike young people born in the digital era who have even been christened digital datives, older persons are not good with ICTs, they are not familiar with ICTs and hence they are quite vulnerable to things like Internet fraud,” Dr Machengete said.

“Because older persons, whom some call Digital Migrants, are not well conversant with ICTs as the younger generation, they tend to be left out in terms of participating in the digital