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Ivan Zhakata and Rutendo Gomwe

The Ministry of Information Communication Technology Postal and Courier Services is providing the enabling environment needed for the intensified adoption and use of ICTs within Government and across the economy at large to ensure that the country moves in line with the new dictates of global digital economics and governance.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Harare, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera said the wanted ICTs should penetrate all corners of the country, bridging the digital divide and promoting rural development, leaving no one and no place behind.

“Your presence here is a testament to the recognition and importance you attach to the task ahead of us as a sector creating a digital economy and better lives of all our citizens,” she said.

“This means that our mandate and jurisdiction is very critical in this modern era as ICTs are the mainstay to the contemporary digital revolution. Let me hasten to say that I am very cognisant of the challenges we face in this digital era, saddled with disruptive novel technologies, thus we have a shared responsibility we should bear to safeguard our digital infrastructure, the entire cyberspace and more so our people and our children in particular.

“We gather here today with a common goal to enhance our solidity and deliver on our fundamental goals in fulfilment of the tasks assigned to us, contributing to the development of our nation. It is a fact that the world is in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution underpinned by ICT.”

Minister Mavetera said future wars will be fought in the digital cyberspace and economic dominance is going to be exhibited in the same virtual digital spaces.

She said the disruptive and life changing technologies such as artificial intelligence, block chain, internet of things and machine learning were bringing new ways of living, doing business, social interactions and political relations.

Minister Mavetera said there was a need to capitalise on the positives of technologies in health, education and agriculture to attain the objectives of NDS1 and the vision of an upper-middle-income society by 2030.

“I see there are representatives of telecom operators, internet providers, postal and courier representatives, consumers and various important associations in the ICT sphere. Your presence here and solidarity messages are very much appreciated.

“Let me hasten to remind us all of the Ministry’s vision of having a knowledge-based society with ubiquitous connectivity by 2030 and the Ministry’s mission to exploit the potential of ICT for sustainable socio-economic development in Zimbabwe. These we have to pursue and play our part in contributing towards the national Vision 2030.”