170 graduates as data protection officers

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

At least 170 data protection officers (DPOs) have graduated after undergoing a course jointly run by Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) and the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT).

The 170 bring the total number of DPOs in Zimbabwe to 871.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held in Harare, POTRAZ director-general Dr Gift Machengete said the programme, launched in April 2024, has become a flagship initiative in promoting privacy and ethical data governance.

“Over 170 students graduate today, joining a distinguished community of 701 alumni,” he said.

This signals the formation of a critical mass of professionals ready to shape ethical data governance across Government, business, NGOs, start-ups and multinational corporations.”

Dr Machengete said the course had grown beyond Zimbabwe, with participants from Malawi, Eswatini and Botswana, and was recently showcased to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

HIT Vice Chancellor Professor Quinton Kanhukamwe said Zimbabwe had also licensed 614 data controllers by the end of July, reflecting national progress in protecting personal data.

“As data protection officers, you are not just compliance officers. You are the guardians of digital trust, the ones who stand between innovation and exploitation,” he said.

The Data Protection Act of 2021 compels institutions to appoint certified DPOs to ensure compliance with privacy and security standards in the digital age.