Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Government is intensifying its efforts to expand digital access to rural schools by donating Starlink kits as the national drifts towards attaining the envisaged Vision 2030.
Speaking during the handover of the Starlink kits to learners at Jopembe Primary School in Beitbridge West, local Member of Parliament (MP) Cde Thusani Ndou said the equipment was being distributed in batches.
He said the rollout was in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of not leaving no one and no place behind in national development matters.
Cde Ndou said the ongoing programme is aimed at ensuring rural learners benefit from the same digital resources available in urban schools.
“We are here at Jopembe Primary School to distribute these Starlink kits so that children can do their school work without any problem. This is part of the Second Republic’s priorities aimed at improving network connectivity in rural schools to bridge the digital divide and strengthen the implementation of education policies aligned with the national development agenda and Vision 2030,” he said.
Jopembe primary’s school development committee chairman Mr Samson Mabetha said the donation will go a long way in improving the quality of education at the school.
He said it was very critical for schools to be connected on the internet as the world was going towards total digitisation. “We feel honoured as parents of Jopembe primary school now that our children can access global libraries and teachers can do their work more easily,” he said.
A senior village head in the area, Mr Jack Malowa said traditional leaders were pleased to see the Government investing in community development through technology.
Echoing the same sentiments was Ward 14 Councillor Cde Tamson Lamula who said the Government was working to make education and technology accessible in rural areas without hindrance.
The initiative comes a few weeks after Matabeleland South Youth Quota Member of Parliament, Cde Tinashe Mushipe, donated Starlink kits to chiefs in Beitbridge, pledging to cover 12 months of subscription fees.
The programme aims to enhance communication between chiefs and their communities, keeping them updated on current affairs.
At the moment there are two chieftaincies under Chief Matibe (East) and Chief Tshitaudze (West) and the Government is also in the midst of reviving the Khwalu Chieftaincy (South West).
Improved internet access is expected to enhance communication, access to information, and coordination of development programmes.
In an interview, Cde Mushipe, who hails from the Beitbridge district emphasized the importance of chiefs in society, mentoring youth and preserving cultural heritage.
He said the programme will be rolled out in phases to include the Headman in the area.
“We are taking this initiative from our President’s mantra of not leaving no one and no place behind. So, I saw it fit that we need our Chiefs to be equipped with Starlink kits,” said Cde Mushipe.
“This will enable them to communicate with their communities efficiently and also be up to date with current affairs as our world is going digital.
“It also resonates well with our President’s mantra and you will note that Chiefs are an integral part of our society and as an appreciation to their hard work in mentoring us the youths and keeping our cultural and moral campus in place”.
He said it was befitting that to appreciate the role played by the traditional institution in the community.
Cde Mushipe said the world was embracing the use of digital platforms and hence the need to support the initiative by the Government to have a total coverage across the nation in both urban and remote areas.
He also rallied other leaders and stakeholders to work with traditional leaders who play a crucial role in promoting rural development.
The legislator also announced a youth empowerment initiative, where he pledged to fully sponsor two young people from the Beitbridge district to attend Guyu Vocational Training Centre.
