Chronicle Editor
Michelle Moyo, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT will launch ZimDigital Phase 2 next month; a significant initiative designed to achieve comprehensive nationwide radio coverage and expand broadcasting services to all areas of the country.
The move is expected to foster greater connectivity, information exchange, and cultural enrichment, ultimately contributing to the country’s socio-economic development and digital transformation.
Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister, Dingumuzi Phuti, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister, Dingumuzi Phuti, reported to Parliament that the first phase of ZimDigital has reached 62 percent of the country’s radio population. The next phase will target border areas and is expected to be presented to Cabinet within a month, aiming to achieve 100 percent coverage within two years.
“Within a month, we are introducing another second phase to Cabinet, which is the ZimDigital Two, which will take care of all those border areas, especially areas that he indicated including Bulilima,” said Deputy Minister Phuti.
He said to support the development of radio and television under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, a licensing framework was then revised to take into consideration the establishment of community radio stations.
“I went to Bulilima and commissioned the Bukalanga Community Radio Station as a stopgap measure. It is fully functional and educates that particular geography. At the same time, the ZimDigital Two, Phase 2 project as it starts, is going to concentrate explicitly and mainly first and foremost in the border areas as we move to seek to ensure that we leave no one and no place behind. So, the licensing framework has allowed the proliferation and development of community radio stations. It has also allowed the development of commercial radio and television stations,” he said.
Deputy Minister Phuti further outlined that the national broadcaster is now expanding towards those particular areas but of importance, the ZimDigital Second Phase project seeks to financially resource Transmedia and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe.
“The launch of the second phase of the ZimDigital project will ensure that we have 100 percent coverage in terms of the geography of our country. So, mainly, it involves the procurement of transmitters across the country, the powering of those transmitters and also involves connectivity in terms of ICT because we have reached that point of convergence. In order to speed up the process, we have already done a digital infrastructure master plan and have identified that in the majority of cases, said Deputy Minister Phuti.
By facilitating greater connectivity, information exchange, and cultural enrichment, ZimDigital Phase 2 is expected to empower citizens with access to knowledge and resources, driving innovation and entrepreneurship. This will enhance economic productivity and competitiveness, positioning Zimbabwe as a key player in the global digital economy.
The initiative will also promote cultural diversity and understanding, showcasing Zimbabwe’s rich heritage to a global audience. This will foster greater collaboration and exchange between local and international artists, musicians, and writers, further enriching the country’s vibrant cultural scene.
Moreover, ZimDigital Phase 2 has the potential to transform the country’s education sector, providing students with digital tools and resources to enhance their learning experience. This will improve academic outcomes, increase access to information, and prepare the next generation for success in an increasingly digital world.
Ultimately, this initiative has the potential to transform Zimbabwe’s trajectory, unlocking a brighter future for generations to come. By embracing digital technology and innovation, Zimbabwe can leapfrog traditional development hurdles, becoming a beacon of hope and progress for the entire African continent.
@Lo7246Lovelyn
Online Reporter