by Welldone Tembo
The opening up of airwaves continues to take an upward trajectory as the Second Republic forges ahead with its thrust to inform its citizenry by launching the Digital television broadcasting in Magunje.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Monica Mutsvangwa, yesterday led a high powered Government delegation to Magunje where she launched DTT leaving a few households instantly connected to ZTV.
The development comes on the heels of the awarding of six commercial television licences by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).
In her keynote address, Minister Mutsvangwa remarked that the New Dispensation under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa was geared to making sure every Zimbabwean is on board as far as accessing information is concerned.
“Our thrust is to bridge the information gap between the rural community and their urban counterparts. In that regard, President Mnangagwa emphasized that no Zimbabwean should be left behind” said Sen Mutsvangwa.
She added that the historical migration to digital broadcasting from analogue, has quick wins as it cuts across a plethora of developmental themes of the New Dispensation namely Opening up of airwaves, Devolution, Education 5.0 and a Digital Driven Economy.
Sen Mutsvangwa further revealed that the development was in compliance with the deadlines and stipulations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that every country should digitize. Zimbabwe has managed to erect 18 digital transmitters against the targeted 48.
The next launch is set for Chimanimani, a deliberate move by Government to ensure connectivity of that region after it was ravaged by a series of floods and Cyclone Idai which cut it from the rest of the economy. Senator Mutsvangwa also informed that Government is focusing on historically underserved communities.
Magunje Business Centre was a hive of activity as various Government dignitaries found their way to the community to witness the historical launch. Deputy Minister of Information Kindness Paradza, Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana, CEOs of ZBC, BAZ and Transmedia graced the occasion. At least seven Chiefs from the district were present and each left with a Set-Top-Box to install at their homesteads.
