Story by Bruce Chahwanda
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged communities to harness new technologies to safeguard, preserve and promote social cohesion to ensure a productive nation.
The call was made at the launch of the Digital Ambassadors Programme and the handover of a digi-truck which will see the empowerment of 1500 youths.
Officially launching the programme at State House in Harare this Wednesday, President Mnangagwa implored the citizenry to use information communication technologies responsibly.
“As custodians of our rich national heritage, I call upon our traditional leaders to rally communities to leverage the National Digital Ambassadors Programme and Presidential Internet Scheme to safeguard, preserve and promote our culture, values and norms. Communities across the country are called upon to use ICTs and related applications responsibly. These new technologies must help foster social cohesion, unity, peace, love, and harmony, ultimately leading to a productive as well as connected digital society. Those with a tendency of fueling divisions among communities will be pushed,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the National Digital Ambassadors Programme is meant to equip youths and communities, with the digi-truck set to ensure every corner of the country is covered.
“In keeping with the devolution agenda, the programme will help ensure that digital skills are devolved to every corner of Zimbabwe, leaving no one and no place behind. 100 digital ambassadors will be deployed in each province to deliver strategic and inclusive digital literacy training across the country, especially in marginalised communities. These tech-savvy ambassadors will serve as accelerators for the uptake of digital literacy, fostering innovation, and supporting local businesses, schools, and households in harnessing technology for development,” he said.
The project and other initiatives have the potential to unlock opportunities for inclusion.
“To bolster this effort, the Presidential Internet Programme will be launched and deploy technology such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services across marginalised communities. The e-enabling infrastructure will complement existing services to bring high-speed internet closer to villages, schools, clinics, and community centres, while empowering farmers and entrepreneurs, among other users,” said the President.
The National Digital Ambassadors Programme is expected to train 1500 youths in the next three years.
