ICTs the Mainstay to Contemporary Digital Revolution says ICT Minister Mavetere

By Tendai Chisiri

Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier services Dr Tatenda Mavetere said the ministry’s mandate and jurisdiction is very critical in this modern era as ICTs are the mainstay to contemporary digital revolution at ICT sector player and stakeholder courtesy call meeting Friday.

The minister’s ICT sector player stakeholder courtesy call meeting held at POTRAZ headquarters Auditorium was in line with the NDS1 and the vision of an upper middle-income society by 2030

“This Ministry provides the enabling environment that is requisite for the intensified adoption and utilisation of ICTs within Government and across the economy at large to ensure that our country moves in line with the new dictates of global digital economics and governance.This ensures that ICTs penetrate all corners of the country, hence bridging the digital divide and promoting rural development, leaving no one and no place behind, Dr Mavetere said.

*It is indeed an honour and privilege on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe and on my behalf that I welcome you all to this important ICT sector player and stakeholder courtesy call meeting, at this befitting Auditorium of our Regulator, POTRAZ. Let me appreciate POTRAZ for extending this kind gesture. It is also with great pleasure that I personally extend my warmest greetings to everyone here present”, she added.

She thanked those present as a testament to the recognition and importance they attach to the task ahead of the sector creating a digital economy and better lives of all the citizens. “This means that our mandate and jurisdiction is very critical in this modern era as ICTs are the mainstay to the contemporary digital revolution. Let me hasten to say that I am very cognisant of the challenges we face in this digital era, saddled with disruptive novel technologies, thus we have a shared responsibility we should bear to safeguard our digital infrastructure,the entire cyberspace and more so our people and our children in particular”, she stated.

She said they had gathered with a common goal to enhance solidarity and deliver on the fundamental goals in fulfilment of the tasks assigned, contributing to the development of the nation. “It is a fact that the world is in the midst of the 4th Industrial Revolution(4IR) underpinned by ICTs.Future wars will be fought in the digital cyber space and economic dominance is going to be exhibited in the same virtual digital spaces” Mavetere noted.

“Vincent van Gogh once said, “ The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. ” The disruptive and life changing technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Block Chain, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML)are really today bringing new ways of living, doing business, social interactions,political relations and so on. We need to capitalise on the positives of these technologies in health, education, agriculture, etc and surely this will make us attain the objectives of NDS1 and the vision of an upper middle-income society by 2030.It will be remiss on the part of the Government of Zimbabwe not to recognise theimportance of your participation to national development in terms of policy advisory, policy formulation and implementation”, she explained.

“I see there are representatives of telecom operators, internet providers, postal and courier representatives, consumer and various important associations in the ICT sphere. Your presence here and solidarity messages are very much appreciated. Let me hasten to remind us all of the Ministry Vision of having A knowledge-based society with ubiquitous connectivity by 2030 and the Ministry Mission to Exploit the potential of ICTs for sustainable socio-economic development in Zimbabwe.These we have to pursue and play our part in contributing towards the National Vision 2030”, minister Mavetere stressed.

Minister Mavetere looks forward to getting the support from sector players, for the ministry to deliver on its mandate as it’s their ministry. ” Knowledge shared is priceless and the more we share it the more we become wise. Once again let me reiterate my pleasure and appreciationto be part of this ICT, Postal and Courier services family”, she revealed.