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Ivan Zhakata recently in CHIPINGE
The Chipinge Community Information Centre, where people can access internet and learn and communicate with others while they develop essential digital skills, has been opened by the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
Speaking at the opening ceremony at Chipinge Business Centre recently, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the Chipinge Community Information Centre will ensure equitable access to internet.
Internet will be free for the rest of the year as an opening promotion.
Minister Muswere urged the Chipinge community to make full use of not only the community information centre, but also the post office as the two centres were related.
“The goods that you can buy online in the community information centre will be delivered to your doorstep by the post office,” he said.
“This is e-commerce at play. I wish to assure you that the ministry will continue to play a crucial role in this digital transformation agenda by providing accessible and affordable ICT platforms to local communities so as to achieve equality of access to information.”
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland Province, Nokuthula Matsikenyere, said it was clear that the Government was spot-on when it declared the post office as an essential service during these trying times of the Covid pandemic.
“Our people will no longer walk long distances to get ICT services,” she said.
“We promise that the services of this community information centre will be used to the maximum.
“This year alone we have a number of schools that benefited laptops under the e-learning project from POTRAZ. This is indeed a gesture that we will forever cherish.”
POTRAZ director-general Dr Gift Machengete said the centre would ensure that the people of Chipinge were not left behind in today’s digital world.
“Because we are living in a digital world, community information centres were conceived to enable communities to access and use ICTs to promote their businesses, advance their education and improve their livelihood,” he said.
“Community information centres have downstream effects in the form of new employment opportunities for those manning the centres and those being trained at the centres. I am, therefore, very confident that the community information centre will make a valued contribution to the economic, social and cultural lives of the people of Chipinge and surrounding communities.”
Online Reporter