Universal access to Information commemorations

Tanaka Mahanya in ZHOMBE

COMMUNITIES in Zhombe got the opportunity to celebrate this year’s International Day for Universal Access to Information.

The commemorations ran under the theme “Artificial Intelligence, E-Government And Access To Information, Leaving No One And No Place Behind”.

ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere, said the commemorations were held to bridge the urban-rural divide.

“Rural communities are often left behind in accessing information, hence it is the Government’s mandate to ensure that everyone is included.

“The Government is, therefore, taking major steps to make sure people access information as the digital community is one of the catalysts which will turn around the economy.

“To ensure that there is inclusivity of all populations, we are glad that this year we celebrated this day here in the Midlands,” he said.

POTRAZ director general, Gift Machengete, said their mandate is to ensure there is an enabling environment for information to flow freely, and for information to reach as far and wide as possible.

“In so doing, and in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind in the information highway, POTRAZ has been rolling out a number of ICT access and use programmes and projects.

“With the speed at which 5G technology is evolving, the technological gap between the developed and developing countries is widening much further and faster.”

He added:

“To ensure universal access to information, we are funding the relocation of towers around the country to ensure communities in these remote areas have, at least, 2G connectivity and participate in the digital economy,” he said.