MIDWEEK REPORTER
CHIVI GROWTH POINT-There is excitement as Chivi Growth Point is set to host two important United Nations Days on Monday with three ministers in attendance.
The Government spearheaded celebrations are the World Post Day and the International Day for Universal Access to Information and in attendance will be the Minister of State for Masvingo Province and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, Minister of Information Communication and Technology, Tatenda Mavetera and the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere.
Mavetera told The Midweek Watch that the celebrations will coincide with the opening of Public Finance Management System Kiosk at the Chivi District Development Office.
She also outlined the importance of the Universal Postal Union to which Zimbabwe is a member.
“The UPU is a specialised arm of the United Nations that is charged with ensuring the provision of Postal Services around the world. Zimbabwe, as a member of the UPU, also celebrates World Post Day.
“The purpose of World Post Day is to bring awareness to the post’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development.
“The mandate given to our Ministry by the President H.E E.D. Mnangagwa enjoins us to leave no one and no place behind. We are thus going to Chivi as part of our efforts to access people in traditionally underserved areas.
“In addition, the visit to Masvingo will coincide with the commissioning of a Community Information Centre at Chivi as well as the official opening of the Public Finance Management System Kiosk at the Chivi District Development Office.
“These two facilities will promote universal access to information and advance the devolution agenda respectively,” said Mavetera.
“This is the first time that as a district we are going to host the two important UN days which talk about information as a human right. Access to information is vital for the development of any country, the more people share information, the more they are wiser technologically and socially.
“The World Post Day is also very important as it helps in the movement of goods and services for commerce and trade.
“We pay tribute to President Mnangagwa for his devolution stance as we are also hosting such important programs down here in Chivi,” said the immediate past chairman for Chivi RDC who is now MP for Chivi North Constituency, Godfrey Mukungunugwa.
Ward 2 counccillor, Aynos Chigombe said they are ready to host the event and the visitors will have a memorable time in Chivi.
“As the people of Chivi, we feel very honored to host such an important event which is at the core of the people’s needs, we all need information at all levels of life.
“Basics like locations of where you get certain services is part of information and communication in the movement of goods as we trade with others at micro and macro levels hence the World Post Day is important in our lives and must be cherished.
“We thank the Government for remembering us, the people of Chivi,” said Chigombe.
The World Post Day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) which was started in 1874 in Switzerland. It is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of postal services in facilitating communication, commerce, and connectivity between people and businesses across the globe.
The 2023 theme is “Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future.” This year’s theme urges governments and their postal services to support the development of a digital single postal territory that complements the extensive physical network developed over centuries.
The International Day for Universal Access to Information was proclaimed on 15 October 2019 at the 74th UN General Assembly and is to be commemorated on 28 September every year. Initially the day was designated by the UNESCO General Conference. It was inaugurated in November 2015 and was first held on 28 September 2016.
Information is power therefore, universal access to information is a cornerstone of healthy and inclusive knowledge societies. Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression.
This year’s theme is “the importance of the online space for access to information.”
On the Community Information Centres Mavetera said the Second Republic will make sure that no one is left behind by establishing more of those in every district and village for containerized information centre.
“The Second Republic as led by H.E Dr E.D. Mnangagwa has continued with the drive to improve access to information through these facilities.
“To date 24 Containerised Village Information Centres have been established in Zimbabwe to create access points for internet connectivity in places where there is no infrastructure to accommodate Community Information Centres.
“ In Masvingo Province alone aside from the Containerised Village Information Centres there are now 13 Community Information Centres with a significant number having been created under the Second Republic,” added Mavetera.
