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The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Honourable Dr Jenfan Muswere has said the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the importance of postal services in life at the belated commemoration of the World Post Day in Chipinge yesterday. The day also coincided with the launch of the Chipinge Coummunity Information Centre.
World Post Day is celebrated each year on October 9, the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which was founded in 1874 in the Swiss city of Bern. However, due to prior commitments on the part of key stakeholders, this year’s celebrations have had to be postponed to 22 October 2021 with celebrations held in Chipinge.
“The important role that this machine called the Post plays has been magnified by the Covid 19 pandemic that the world is grappling with right now. In this regard, the Government saw it fit to declare the Posts as an essential service, which saw the delivery of medications, medical samples, food and other critical services to locked-down citizens. As such, we should not forget that the Post can also be called upon in other disasters and we must be ready for that by coming up with disaster risk management strategies.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, digital transformation is one of the key contributing blocks of the National Development Strategy (NDS1), which was launched by His Excellency, the President, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa, in November last year. Accordingly, as we celebrate this day, our Ministry, through POTRAZ, launched the Chipinge Community Information Centre as an ICT access point for the community. Further, to ensure equitable access by all, the internet will be free until 31 December 2021,” Dr. Muswere said.
As per tradition, the ICT Ministry recognize dyoung winners of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter-Writing competition at the National level, which has helped them to develop skills in composing and expressing their thoughts clearly and concisely. The competition has also helped to promote and strengthen bonds of international friendship, which is one of the missions of the UPU.