The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Wenzel Kavaka, announced during a courtesy visit to Kavango East Governor, Hamunyera Hambyuka, that the Government Information Centre (GIC) in Rundu is open to all public institutions.
This includes the governor's office and local authorities looking to enhance digital public outreach.
"In Namibia we are having a lot of good stories to tell, and one of the platforms that we have to use, not all of us to use, is the Government Information Centre. You know, most of our youths now are digitally evolved. In our GIC we are live streaming events; people can view it through YouTube or through WhatsApp, and why must we confine only giving information during the SORA or having constituency meetings under the tree or local authority while we are having platforms like this?" stated Kavaka.
Turning to national infrastructure development, Kavaka said digital transformation is increasingly being classified alongside basic necessities like water, electricity, and shelter.
He observed that while digital platforms are expanding, the traditional radio remains the primary lifeline and information source for the elderly in rural areas like Divundu.
"Just look at the attendance, and if you go to the radio and announce over the radio and look at the comparison, it means that most of our elderly people, that the only friend they have now is a radio, so connectivity, whether it's cell phone or radio, must be established. As a ministry we are responsible for connectivity. This year the money that we received for this financial year, we have said that we will transfer that money to PowerCom, which is a subsidiary of Telecom, so that PowerCom can construct towers."
Kavango East Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka briefed the deputy minister on some challenges in the region in regard to ICT connectivity.
"As we are seated here, if you want to go towards the east of Rundu, it's 280; that's at Omega 1. Then in between, before you reach Omega 1, you will find some villages; there is no network. If you go further, still in the same region, then it's like you are completely disconnected from the world until when you come back; it's when you realise that you are back to the world. That is the experience we are having."