Sunday, 17 May 2009
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News)--ZIMBABWE has intensified efforts to take
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the rural areas so as to
improving the people's lives, a government minister has said.
Addressing business people in Sandton, Johannesburg on Thursday night,
Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Nelson
Chamisa, said as technology plays key role in development of any country but
Zimbabwe's rural areas, where the majority of the country lives, was lagging
behind due to a number of factors.
"Zimbabwe has a population that is highly educated in the whole of
Africa, a huge literate rate which is pegged at 98 percent. The main dilemma
faced with our people is that we do not have PCs at schools, government
offices and households, hence the need to work with the region, the
continent and the international community.
"We have serious challenges such as internet speed which are very
slow. AS the ministry of ICT, we intend to introduce information kiosks in
the countryside so that our professionals deployed there find life easier,"
said Chamisa.
He urged regional, continental and international companies to invest
in the revival of the sector, particularly in rural areas where a
significant number of professionals such as teachers, health, agricultural
experts, scholars and other individuals dwell.
Chamisa, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the
ministry, Engineer Sam Kundishora, said the government was also exploring
ways of working with fellow Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, United Nations
Development Progamme (UNDP), regional, and other interested ICTs from around
the globe in that regard.
He said the country intends to lure back its citizens, but experts in
ICT back to the country to start rebuilding the nation, as well as offering
huge incentives as part of the attractive package.
CAJ News
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