Oliver Kazunga in MBERENGWA
MUTAPA Energy Resources and NetOne today donated 62 laptops and desktop computers to 10 schools in Mberengwa to accelerate digital learning in rural communities.
The donation to Chegato High School, Maringambizi and Chebvute Secondary Schools, Sandawana, Chavengwa, Chizungu, Chingechuru, Mutsime, Ruvabvu, Guruva Primary Schools, forms part of Mutapa’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility programme around the Sandawana Mine, which is currently under development.
The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and transform Mberengwa District. Under the Second Republic’s digitalisation drive, Government is seeking to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society by 2030.
Speaking at the inaugural Digitalise Zimbabwe ICT Schools Fair for Mberengwa District, Mutapa Energy Resources chief executive officer Mr Innocent Rukweza said no child should be left behind in the digital era.
“Every child deserves an opportunity to have access to a computer,” said Mr Rukweza.
“There should not be a gap between those who are in towns and those from Mberengwa in the Sandawana area.
“I told the headmaster of this hosting school that we need to ensure schools within the vicinity of Sandawana Mine are known, feared and revered when it comes to the education system.”
The ICT expo was held at Maringambizi Secondary School.
Mr Rukweza challenged NetOne, TelOne, ZETDC and Econet to make the Mberengwa Schools ICT Expo an annual event with competitions to showcase programmes developed by learners using the donated computers.
He said access to electricity was critical to enable digitalisation.
In a speech read on his behalf by NetOne e-Government business and special projects manager Mrs Nancy Murove, the acting group chief executive officer Mr Christopher Muchechemera said digitalisation directly contributes to Vision 2030.
“Achieving this vision requires investment in human capital, technological advancement and expansion of digital infrastructure to ensure no community is left behind,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr Muchechemera said the Digitalised Zimbabwe ICT Expo programme complements NDS 2, which provides the national development framework for escalating economic growth, strengthening productive sectors, promoting innovation and harnessing technology to improve the livelihoods of Zimbabweans.
“Digital transformation is therefore not simply about adopting new technologies; it is about creating opportunities, improving service delivery, empowering communities and building a competitive knowledge-driven economy,” he said.
“As NetOne, we recognise our responsibility to contribute to these national aspirations by promoting reliable connectivity and supporting digital inclusion across the country.”
It is against this background that the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology, Postal and Courier Services, in partnership with Mutapa Energy Resources and Video Promotions, continues with the national drive to promote digital technology and creative innovation across the country.
Mr Muchechemera noted that the Mberengwa ICT schools fair was another important milestone in this national journey.
“Our schools are the foundation upon which Zimbabwe’s digital future will be built,” Mr Muchechemera said.
“We want to see learners in Mberengwa and across the country moving beyond being consumers of technology to becoming creators, innovators and problem solvers.
“We understand that connectivity is the bridge between communities and opportunities. It enables learners to access educational resources, teachers to explore new teaching methods, businesses to reach wider markets and communities to participate in the digital economy.”
