The ManicaPost
Chipinge Correspondent
ZIMBABWE Academic Research Network (ZARnet) internet providers will partner South African ICT giants, Gondwana Communications to create e-government technology in the country.
ZARnet chief executive officer, Mr Cliff Mupangavanhu, said his organisation together with Gondwana Communications which owns Africom in Zimbabwe are in the process of setting connectivity at Chipinge Government Complex where a pilot study will be launched soon.
He said the idea of e-government would see various Government departments benefiting from connectivity and once the pilot study succeeded a national data base would be created.
“We need to partner with national and international ICT giants in order to achieve Government connectivity. First, we need to identify cheaper solutions, which will not dig deeper into our pockets because broadband won’t come for cheaper. So far we have struck a deal with South African ICT giants, Gondwana Communications to start e-government in Chipinge,” he said.
Mr Mupangavanhu cited some of the major advantages of e-government and said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was one of the major beneficiaries.
“We have observed that computers that are donated to schools are lying idle and these projects will also benefit schools at large.The project will come up with e-administration of schools and facilities such as e-learning and tele-education.
“Tele-education concept means a teacher can conduct a lesson with students using connectivity and exchanging notes on the internet as well as assessing textbooks. This will improve pass-rates in the country.
“In other departments such as police, they can also utilise new technology to stop crime. Crime can be easily reported at any station,” he said.
Gondwana Communications chairman, Mr Ralf Wily, said e –government was affordable and cost effective.
He said Zimbabwe should be the referral point in terms of development rather than trailing behind.
“The project will make use of already existing infrastructure when we connect the country. We need to provide a cost effective and affordable programme that will close the gap between urban and rural dwellers,” he said.
ZARnet is among the four parastatals under the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.
