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Mobile telephony giant NetOne yesterday belatedly joined 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, the company reckons the importance of the day which is significant in its 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).
Yesterday, Netone gathered together with fellow Telecommunications & ICT Stakeholders in Zhombe to commemorate the day, amplify the voices and unify its agenda with the government’s thrust 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 cyberspace 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 current times as stakeholders promulgate digital solutions that are hinged on the advent of artificial intelligence and e-government systems. There are complex, underlying dynamics that cannot be ignored 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 continued 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 acknowledgment 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,” said Mr. Raphael Mushanawani, the NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer.
Faced with everyday realities that demand ease and efficiency, NetOne has come up with innovations like the Hurudza; Umlimi, Dzidzo – the e-learning platform as well as the 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 ensures that one way or the other; the student, the farmer, the entrepreneur, the professionals, the young ones, the old people, the urban and the rural folk can all access information and be on platforms that serve them best!
The company is involved in the fast-evolving digital world that has since given birth to artificial intelligence and e-government systems, thus processes have become faster and communication is at the click of a button!
As a telecommunications services provider, Netone backs up these systems with telecommunications networks that meet cutting-edge delivery. Whilst it opens up to challenge the status quo, the company is also open to coming to the grassroots and ensuring that there is a link between the communities, other communities, and the rest of the world.
Those links are vital in leaving no one and no place behind in the global village. Whilst artificial intelligence technologies may be led by foreign territories, NetOne can localize these and bring relevance and local applicability to fit its own territories and bring itself 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 in the face of the ever-evolving technology 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,” Mr. Mushanawani added.