Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
THE new Potraz board chairman Professor Sam Takavarasha Jnr has assured the nation that they will ensure their work promotes a fair ground for stakeholders with consumer protection being a top priority.
Professor Takavarasha Jnr is leading the new eleven-member board where he is deputised by Ms Barbara Mukahanana while the Ministry Technnical representative is Mr Prince Sibanda.
Other board members are Ms Tofara Audrey Nyoni, Miss Michelle Madyira, Adv Sebastian Masimba Guwuriro, Dr Siyakha Njabuliso Mthunzi, Dr Miriam Mugwati, Mr Caos Nzenze, Dr Maneta Linnys Dzauma and Dr Prince Mushaninga.
In his acceptance speech after formally being introduced on Monday, Professor Takavarasha Jnr said the board will serve in the interest of every citizen.
“To our stakeholders across the postal, telecommunications and courier services sectors, as well as the consumers whom we ultimately serve, allow me to assure you that this board will remain open, consultative and responsive.
“Our objective is to foster a regulatory environment that promotes fair competition, encourages innovation, protects consumers, and expands access to communication services for all Zimbabweans,” said Professor Takavarasha Jnr.
He said the responsibility that lies before them is both significant and exciting.
“With unity, cooperation, and dedication, am confident that-we can elevate the Authority’s work and contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s national development agenda.
Allow me, to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for the confidence he has placed in us through this appointment to serve on the Board of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.
“We are equally grateful to the Honourable Minister, Tatenda Annastacia Mavetera, for facilitating this process and for the leadership she continues to provide in steering Zimbabwe’s ICT, postal and courier services sector towards growth and innovation.. To my fellow Board Members, I wish to say that I am deeply honoured to serve alongside each one of you. Leadership of this nature is never the work of one individual. I consider myself a team player and I firmly believe that the success of this Board will depend on our unity of purpose, our collective wisdom and our shared commitment to the national interest,,” he said.
Professor Takavarasha Jnr said together the board must approach their responsibilities with diligence, professionalism and integrity, always mindful that the decisions they take will shape the future of Zimbabwe’s communications landscape.
“I would also like to respectfully call upon the Honourable Minister and the Deputy Minister, and the entire Ministry, to continue to extend their guidance and support to the Board. The tasks before us are significant and the collaboration between the Ministry and the Board will remain critical in ensuring that the Authority continues to discharge its mandate effectively.
“To the Management of Potraz, under the leadership of the award-winning Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete, we look forward to a productive and cooperative working relationship. The Board recognises and respects the important operational role that management plays in the day-to-day running of the Authority. We will rely on your expertise, your institutional memory, and your commitment as we work together to strengthen the organisation,” he said.
Professor Takavarasha Jnr paid tribute to the previous Board of Directors, which was led by the late Advocate Tawanda Zvobgo.
“Under his stewardship, the Authority continued to play a critical role in guiding the development of Zimbabwe’s postal and telecommunications sectors during a period of rapid technological change. On behalf of the new Board, I wish to acknowledge the dedication, professionalism and vision that characterised the work of that Board. We honour the legacy of Advocate Zvobgo and his colleagues, and we pray that his soul rests in eternal peace.
“Their contribution has laid a solid foundation upon which we now build. As the new Board, we fully appreciate the strategic importance of the Authority in regulating and guiding sectors that sit at the heart of Zimbabwe’s digital transformation,” said Professor Takavarasha Jnr.
“Our collective duty is to ensure that the regulatory environment remains progressive, responsive, and supportive of innovation, investment and inclusive access.
“In this regard, our work will be guided by the national vision articulated by His Excellency the President-Vision 2030 Zimbabwe-which calls upon all institutions of State to play their part in building an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society,” said Professor Takavarasha Jnr.
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