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Tonderai Rutsito Techspot
Almost two months back, during a tête-à-tête with United States of America public diplomacy officer Nicole Fox she hinted that plans to establish the first technology hub in Zimbabwe were at an advanced stage.
I was quite excited about the news as this has been one of the main reason that have been alluded for the slow growth in the development and nurturing of talent in the country.

Indigo  Trust has released a report that  confirms that work on the hub is in progress and it should start taking shape by November 2013, bringing the Zimbabwe technology sector on the map regionally and internationally.

A team known as Hypercube is the first startup that has been awarded the mandate to run such a magnificent, history making project.
According to an official document, the team was identified through collaborated efforts of the Indigo Trust, Hivos and the US Embassy in Zimbabwe.

The team is supposed to develop a financially sustainable, socially responsible and sufficiently inclusive business plan.
While the funders are simply providing financial support, the Hypercube team will be the driving force, galvanising the technology community through events, mentorship, access to state-of-the-art facilities and the establishment of strong partnerships which support their aims.

The hub, which would be called Space, will support tech entrepreneurs working on both commercial and social projects, thus contributing to both the economic and social development of Zimbabwe.

It will enable entrepreneurs to invent, prototype, develop and test emerging products, develop new business models and services and create sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities which are aligned to Zimbabwean needs and context, extending to the region and beyond.”
The Indigo Trust has contributed US$48 000 towards the core costs of establishing the space and supporting programmes that will emerge out of it.

Hivos is contributing US$54 000 annually for three years and the US Embassy is contributing US$75 000 from the State Department’s Fund for Innovation in Public Diplomacy.

The funders also hope to contribute to the development of the hub through linking them to our networks and provision of strategic advice and support.

The  Indigo document said this will be the 13th hub which they are supporting in Africa and the sixth which they have been involved with since conception.

“We look forward to hubs co-ordinating their efforts to establish a pan-African movement with the help of AfriLabs,” read the report.

The Hypercube Board of Advisors, which is made up of Nikki Kershaw of C2 Media, Nigel Mugamu of 263 Chat, Taps Murove an app developer, Rinesh Desai and Munya Chiura of Comp Trouble Zimbabwe, is committed to working to increase the participation of women in the technology sector, as well as stimulating job creation for the youth through entrepreneurship.

This is the dawn of a new era, in Zimbabwe technology, which should bring us to the same level as our neighbours.
We hope they will be speedily implementation towards this good cause and local talents will be accorded equal opportunity to tap into the resource.

The writer is the Founding Editor of TechnoMag. More on Tech on www.technomag.co.zw or join us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/technomagzw and enjoy free airtime quiz games. Email: ictarticles[at]technomag.co.zw