Suburban
POSTAL services will not die but will have to transform from the old ways of posting to embracing technology to remain relevant, a Minister has said.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said the post will not die as it is transcending and adapting to today’s world, moving away from the traditional post to embracing technology.
He was speaking at the belated World Post Day held last Friday in Bulawayo. The Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services in conjunction with the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) held the celebrations to mark the World Post Day. Senior government officials and officials from the information communication technology sector attended the event.
The 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 capital, Bern.
“The World Post Day was set aside to celebrate the post’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development. While the Covid-19 pandemic was a devastating disruptor, it was also a catalyst for innovative business ideas. The postal and courier sector had to quickly learn and embrace new skills in order to continue to serve humanity and facilitate communication among citizens of the world under the difficult health situation. This, ladies and gentlemen, demonstrated the enduring resilience of the post, which has survived wars, droughts, natural disasters and pandemics, among others.
“I am, however, confident that the post will rise to the challenge as always. In this regard, I am pleased to recall the great work and commitment demonstrated by all our postal and courier operators at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. I, therefore, call on all of you to craft strategies that are flexible enough to quickly adapt to unforeseen challenges and crisis situations. I want to encourage our operators to collaborate so that the sector, which is key to the socio-economic growth of our great country continues to evolve; thus, embracing new skills, new technologies and new ideas. I am calling for all-inclusive ideas, that leave no-one and place behind. I am looking forward to engaging with each and every one of you as we take the post to the next level,” said Minister Muswere.
The Minister also took time to congratulate the winners of the UPU international letter writing competition at the national level.
“We also recognise young 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 UPU. I, therefore, wish to congratulate all the winners from various schools around the country,” said Minister Muswere.
He assured the nation that the ICT Ministry will continue to play a crucial role in the digital transformation agenda by providing accessible and affordable ICT platforms to local communities so as to achieve universal access to information, thereby impacting the aspirations of National Development Strategy 1.
POTRAZ director general Dr Gift Machengete thanked the UPU for the “Post for Planet” theme which does not only give young people a voice in the climate crisis but also gives them an opportunity to amplify their views, air their concerns and share their ideas, while giving the adjudicators fresh and insightful ideas on fighting climate change.
He also congratulated this year’s International Letter Writing Competition Provincial and National winners.
“We thank UPU for such an apt theme which puts the preservation of our planet ahead of everything else. Thank you for such a thoughtful theme, which theme was also incorporated in this year’s International Letter Writing Competition where pupils were asked to write a letter to someone influential explaining why and how they should take action on the climate crisis,” said Dr Machengete.
