‘Postal services won’t die’

Postal services will not die despite technological advancements and challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, has said.

He said this last Friday during World Post Day celebrations at Gokwe Centre, which ran under the theme “More than Mail”.

Dr Muswere said despite challenges posed by Covid-19, the postal industry had continued to offer the usual services “albeit observing the social distancing measures”.

“Furthermore, the postal service brought convenience to consumers through providing delivery services for goods purchased online during the lockdown restrictions.

“This is what gives me hope, and I believe that modernisation of the sector will help us alleviate and overcome the effects of the pandemic,” he said.

Globally, the postal sector is drifting away from focusing on offering traditional mail business, which was predominantly letters, and is now focusing more on e–commerce, agency and financial services to enhance financial inclusion, through provision of e–solutions, which are cost sensitive and widely accessible.

Dr Muswere said the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus had minimised physical contact leading to an accelerated usage of digital platforms wherein individuals, organisations and governments have had to adapt in order to stay safe, stay afloat and survive.

Covid-19 has negatively affected the postal and courier sector as evidenced by the massive drop in volumes across all service categories, and according to the Universal Postal Union, cross-border exchanges worldwide have dropped by 21 percent since the outbreak of the disease.

Dr Muswere implored the postal and courier sector to explore and establish e-substitution solutions in line with global trends, including introducing mobile addresses that will eliminate the need to physically travel to a postal facility.

“I also urge the Post Office to consider drone deliveries as these will eliminate risks associated with physical contact between postal staff and customers,” he said.

Dr Muswere added that in the face of the Covid-19 induced challenges, efficient and affordable ICT infrastructure and services allow countries to participate in the digital economy and to increase their overall economic well-being, competitiveness, digital inclusion, poverty reduction and improved health.

“As such, I have travelled the length and breadth of the country in conjunction with POTRAZ (Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe) to not only launch but also encourage communities to make use of Community Information Centres (CICs) to access correct and accurate information regarding coronavirus while partaking in the digital economy.

To date, 146 CICs have launched across the country with over 11 000 people trained on basic computer skills.

Another CIC was commissioned at Gokwe Centre yesterday.

Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Larry Mavima, told the gathering that he was grateful for the launch of the Manoti Containerised Village Information Centre, which was “a great source of information” for the community.

“Our people will no longer walk long distances to get ICT services. We promise that the services of this Community Information Centre will be utilised to the maximum.

“This year alone we have a number of schools that benefited laptops under the e-learning project from POTRAZ.

“This is indeed a gesture that we will forever cherish,” said Minister Mavima.

Potraz director-general Dr Gift Machengete said the Gokwe CIC will ensure the people here were “not left behind” in the virtual world.

“I therefore urge the people of Gokwe to make full use of this facility in terms of both acquiring ICT skills and realising the benefits of internet use to your farming activities, to your businesses, to your schooling, to your health and to your day-to-day life in order to circumvent the negative effects of Covid–19,” he said.

Chief Njelele thanked Government for supporting the role out of ICTs in his area, and called for laptops to be distributed to Chiefs so that they join the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Some learners that were in the CIC conducting research said the initiative was good as it helped them in their studies.-herald.co.w