Chronicle EditorMthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
MASENDU Community Information Centre (CIC) in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South, is on the verge of tapping into financial sector gains through the local Zimpost office, which is set to seal a deal with two banking institutions.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister, Dingumuzi Phuti, revealed this recently as he applauded the equipping of the offices with solar power by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
The facility had gone for over four months without being operational as there was no electricity.
The Masendu CIC is situated in the heart of Bulilima District and was opened in May 2023.
Potraz, working closely with its parent ministry, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Courier Services, as well as Zimpost, supported the project.
The centre offers internet access, computer training, research for schools and community.
Deputy Minister Phuti said the introduction of banking services at the CIC will go a long way to relieve the community and mostly pensioners who travel over 70km to Plumtree town to access banking services.
“We want the post office to be able to provide financial inclusion services where currently Zimpost is negotiating with two banks who can possibly assist the community and pensioners from that end,” he said.
“Also, we are looking at insurance services to be provided at places remotely as Masendu than people having to go to Plumtree.”
The Deputy Minister said Government was committed to ensuring the achievement of set targets in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.
“President Mnangagwa gave us a mandate as the ministry last month to train 1,5 million people in one and a half years jointly with the Skills and Audit Ministry, which saw us partner with Huawei, which brought a Digitruck, which upon launch was pronounced to be replicating nine more to ten,” he said.
“There is no room for failure in the target and Masendu CIC will play a role in providing that kind of statistics because it is amongst more than 200 CIC across the country.
“Young people in Masendu are now utilising the CIC to get digital training courses. When they now know to use the computer they can do research. For those in the community, teachers and other people who would want to do online application, the facility is there for the same.”
Potraz director general, Dr Gift Machengete, said access to ICTs was no longer a luxury but a necessity in today’s digital age.
“This solar system ensures that the Masendu community can access online educational resources, e-Government services and digital communication tools without interruption, empowering them to participate fully in the digital economy,” he said.
“The project is part of Potraz’s broader strategy to ensure that no community was left behind in the digital revolution. We are committed to expanding such initiatives to other under-served areas, ensuring that every Zimbabwean has the tools they need to thrive in the digital age,” said Dr Machengete.
One of the villagers, Mr Freeman Dube, hailed the local and national leadership for enhancing development in the area.
“We have seen things happening in our community and we say thanks to Cde Phuti who has been in the forefront of making things happen at Masendu,” he said.
“We received the construction of this information centre with open hands as it help close the digital gap between the urban youths and the rural folks.
“So, printing, photocopying services and computer training are being done while we also await the full functioning of a POSB services, which we are promised will come soon.
“We urge the MP to continue facilitating development so as to realise the Vision 2030 outlined by His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa,” said Mr Dube.
A youth aged 22, Ms S’nokukhanya Ncube, said the CIC has come in handy.
“I recently finished school and the CIC is a great enabler for me to research on courses that l can do even online. I hope other youths will come in numbers to utilise this facility for the betterment of our lives,” said Ms Ncube.
-@mthabisi_mthire
Online Reporter