NetOne joins the rest of the world, in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). As a key stakeholder in the Telecommunications & ICT sector, we reckon the importance of this day, as well as commemorating it. It is significant, in our inclusive thrust to ensure access to information for all.
Marked, through a 2016 UNESCO resolution, 28 September of every year is the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). Today, we gather together with fellow Telecommunications & ICT Stakeholders, here in Zhombe to commemorate this day, amplify our voices and unify our agenda with the governments’ to leave no one and no place behind.
The day has particular relevance to the National Vision 2030 and Africa Agenda 2063. It gives impetus to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 16.10, which calls for ensuring public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms in the digital and cyber space under the banner of this year’s theme; Artificial Intelligence (AI), E-Gov and Access to Information; leaving no one and no place behind.
The theme is so relevant to the times we find ourselves in as we promulgate digital solutions that are hinged on the advent of artificial intelligence and e-government systems. There are complex, underlying dynamics which we cannot choose to ignore but with the perspective of and actions of inclusivity, whilst joining hands with all sectors of society, no one and no place will be left behind.
As NetOne, we are strategically poised to provide inclusive digital solutions whilst transforming lives and developing communities. We will continue to proffer solutions that open up opportunities for everyone to embrace the digital era upon us by connecting the unconnected. We could not be any happier that this year’s commemorations are here in Zhombe, as we want every nook and corner of our country to have access to information and to know that we want everyone on board.
As a stakeholder in the Telecommunications & ICT space we pledge our continual support and we will endeavor to take our rightful place in ensuring that we offer digital solutions that are relevant to the diverse communities of Zimbabwe. Diverse in terms of geographical interests, demographics, infrastructure development and culture. We will go into every Zimbabwean community with our overarching goal in mind but also with the acknowledgement that our greatest asset as a people is our uniqueness and tap into that to bring relevance and communal ownership of the digital space as we tailor-make solutions that advance and embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), E-Gov and Access to Information whilst leaving no one and no place behind.
We are faced with everyday realities that demand ease and efficiency. Hence such of our innovations like the Hurudza; Umlimi, Dzidzo – the e-learning platform as well as our One Money mobile financial services among many others that recognize the need to face everyday realities through solutions that bridge the information and transactional gap and ensure that one way or the other; the student, the farmer, the entrepreneur, the professionals ,the young ones, the old magogos, the urban and the rural folk can all access information and be on platforms that serve them best!
We cannot escape the fast evolving digital world that has since given birth to artificial intelligence and e-government systems. Processes have become faster and communication is at the click of a button! As telecommunications services providers, we back up these systems with telecommunications networks that meet cutting edge delivery. Whilst we open up ourselves to challenge the status quo, we are also open to come to the grassroots and ensure that there is a link between our own communities, with other communities and the rest of the world. We believe those links are vital in leaving no one and no place behind in this global village. We believe that whilst artificial intelligence technologies may be led by foreign territories, we can localize these and bring relevance and local applicability for these to fit our own territories and bring ourselves up to speed with the rest of the world.
As NetOne, we remain geared to unify our voice with the rest of the telecommunications and ICT sector in being inclusive at the face of the ever-evolving technological and access to information dynamics. We cannot be left behind hence we embrace our own digital trajectory that promises not to leave no one and no place behind.
