The national digitalisation programme has moved a gear up, with set top boxes being handed over to the Binga community this Friday.
The Binga community praised government for ensuring that they are not left behind in the national development matrix after receiving the set top boxes.
“We are happy to receive these set top boxes that will enable us to access information. We realise that government wants us to be included in all development. We believe this will give us a voice in the development of our nation,” a resident said.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa told people gathered at Binga Centre for the handover of the set top boxes that under the Second Republic is ensuring no one is left behind in the information matrix.
The minister also emphasised that the migration from analogue to digital will help bridge the information gap between urban and rural communities while bringing advantages of more efficient use of limited radio spectrum bandwidth, provision of more television channels, better quality images and potentially lower operating costs for broadcasters.
“Since the coming in of the Second Republic, the digitalisation project in Zimbabwe has gathered momentum and to date 18 digital television transmitters countrywide have been installed. The areas prioritised are those that were historically unserved or underserved with television services. This is in line with the Second Republic’s mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’. As the Second Republic we want to make sure that everybody shares in the development and prosperity of our wonderful country,” she said.
The transmitter constructed at Nkalange in Binga has now been complete and is transmitting signal that will be picked up by the set top boxes through works spearheaded by implementing agencies including the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe and Transmedia.
Already there are channels that can be scanned on the set top boxes which include ZBC TV, ZBC NEWS, Yadah TV, Jive TV and Christ TV.
Meanwhile, the Binga community also received a community radio licence under the Twasumpuka Community Radio which is meant to promote the BaTonga culture and business at large, with studio equipment procured set to be delivered soon.