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Michael Tome
HARARE – The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) yesterday donated a total of 59 laptop computers and other ICT accessories to four institutions which houses people with disabilities.
Among the five schools that benefitted was Karoi High school, Dorothy Duncan, McKuertuan Primary school and Jairosi Jiri, which walked away with the bigger share of 23 laptop computers.
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe director-general Dr Gift Machengete said the proceeds were fruits of the Universal Services Fund and the donation intends to facilitate the inclusion of the physically challenged individuals into the digital space.
“POTRAZ through the Universal Services Fund (USF) is mandated by the postal and telecommunications act Chapter 12:05 to provide ICT services to people living with disabilities. In line with this mandate the fund is utilized to empower people with special needs to enable them to participate in the digital space as a way to bridge the digital divide between the able bodied and people living with disabilities,” said Dr Machengete.
He said the initiative was designed to address the shortage of e-learning accessories for the handicapped whilst finding solution to acquire more teaching resources for the disabled community. Dr Machengete highlighted that he had a soft spot for the blind and physically disadvantaged as he himself was blind up to the age of seven hence the edge to cater for the handicapped.
“The fund also seek to promote digital inclusion among people with special needs by addressing the shortage of e-learning and teaching resources in learning institutions for pupils with special needs.
“This is a very special event for me because I was blind for the first seven years of my life on this planet, but eventually I got healed and today I stand in front of you able to see,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu