Hats off to ZNCC

shows that we are headed in the right direction in terms of our ICTs.
ZNCC chief executive Mr Andrew Matiza disclosed that they had strategically managed to rope in the decision-makers mainly company directors and the heads of IT so that issues discussed during the symposium could be implemented easily.
He outlined that the main objective of               this year’s symposium was to empower business executives so that they utilise ICTs as a tool to enhance their day-to-day business practice.
ZNCC president Mr Oswell Binha officiated at the symposium that was held under the theme “Doing business in a fast evolving ICT environment”.
The guest of honour was Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who gave a very insightful presentation.
He emphasised the importance of appreciating ICTs early as a major force to increasing GDP since half of it is influenced by the consumer industry.
He quoted Steve Jobs mantra, “those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who actually do”, as an inspiration to those in attendance.
DPM Mutambara underlined the need to create and nurture talent in ICT in Zimbabwe.
In this regard he said it was important to nurture entrepreneurs than job seekers.
“We need our own Steve Jobs and Bill Gates,” he said. He added that there were so many opportunities that had been created in the ICT sector, which should be utilised to the maximum.
DPM Mutambara urged Zimbabweans to get into the spirit of the ICT revolution and portray a good national image to the outside world and aim to perfect their product first before calculating the profits.
Microsoft Enterprise Business for East and Southern Africa director Mr Vincent Wagoneka, who spoke on IT leadership and changing trends, said e-leadership requires dedicated people who are good at what they do.
He said e-leaders should have solutions at their fingertips and should be open to other ideas and need to think outside the box.
Another discussion on deriving maximum value from use of social media generated a lot of interest.
It was noted that social media present an opportunity for businesses to market and sell their products while enhancing interaction through social tools of choice.
There was a general appreciation that several Zimbabwean companies are appreciating the need for online presence.
It was, however, pointed out that there is need to shed on how companies can realise full benefit from social media such as Facebook and Twitter in order for more companies to subscribe.
The general manager of Westend Clinic, Dr Margaret Maulana, also gave her take about benefits of investing in ICTs.
She said her institution had invested in ICTs for their accident and emergency wards, in-patient pharmacy, theatres, housekeeping services, canteen services, finance and administration.
This she said had helped them with their e-mail, telephones, bulk SMS, call system, paging system, biometric systems, bedside nurse call system, electronic monitoring system.
The ICU and Theatres Samsung came under the spotlight when Mr Garikayi Mutandwa presented on ICT solutions.
Businesses are increasingly integrating to Samsung products in a bid to increase productivity.
The appetite for Samsung products on the local market has seen the company opening shop for support and back-up at the Joina City.
The past president of Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers, Engineer Martin Manuhwa, who addressed the issue of skills development, conceded that a trained, skilled and well-educated workforce is critical in enhancing work and economic performance and sustaining competitiveness as Zimbabwe transforms into an ICT-driven and knowledge-based society.
This trend has led countries like Japan to set the objectives of a nation based on science, engineering and technology (SET) as the fundamental policy goal.
He said Zimbabwe needed to create “knowledge workers” if it hopes to catch up with developing countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Korea and South Africa.
Engineer Manuhwa said that there is a need to look at alternative pathways to acquiring these skills and knowledge such distance learning, e-learning, adult learning, outreach education programme and virtual learning to take advantage of ICT.
Away from the main activities there were several companies exhibiting including TelOne that was aggressively marketing their ADSL broadband which is proving to be one of the most affordable internet solution with their minimum US$30 package of 10g download cap, though sailing at a mere 25kbps speed.
Other companies exhibiting were Venturecom, First Pack, Trust Academy, Baztech and Pinsoft.
On the whole Zimbabwean companies that took part have to be commended for finally joining the technological bandwagon. Tardy but surely we are making inroads in to the global village.
The writer is a computing specialist at http://tech.co.zw, twitter @TechnoMagZw [email protected] [email protected]