After publishing the book in August 2006, I have closely looked at the progress of the book, to see if it is a success in itself. To date, through the book, I have trained more than ten companies and individuals, ranging from Internet Cafes, Internet Service Providers, Web Developers, Students, Marketers, Churches, Pastors, and Entrepreneurs, who have bought a copy of the eBook.
The book has sold approximately 25 copies, of which a Website, Training, and Web Consultancy have been born out of "each" Copy. I am currently working as a Consultant with Innov8 - The Motivation Company, where amongst other goals, one of them is to assist the company add on to the ".CO.ZW" sphere, two more websites and blogs, in the ".COM" sphere. Innov8 will be launching www.innov8motivation.com and www.innov8bookshop.com, in October 2007, which are transaction enabled, giving people the ability to buy books and pay for workshop online, using the eTranzact platform.
One of the other exciting results of this book has been the Youth Encounter Online Project, that begun in September 2006. The YEO Project comprises of a Newsletter, a Website, and an eGroup. The eGroup has approximately 500 Zimbabwean Youth and Twenty-somethings, from Zimbabwe, Australia, United Kingdom, Zambia, New Zealand, South Africa, Botswana, just to name a few, who chat online. This is a healthy platform for counsel and an opportunity to advertise products and services.
Innov8 - The Motivation Company also has a vibrant eGroup, a result of ASuccessfulWebsite eBook, called Motiva8ed. This group consists of more than 1500 people, from all parts of the world who are customers and readers of Innov8 publications and motivational literature. This group has allowed the company to have good Customer Relationship Management, generating buying traffic in all their outlets.
I believe that this the ASuccessfulWebiste eBook has begun a wildfire in the ".CO.ZW" web sphere, which will help in building a strong economy, as Zimbabwe begins to reform, for African Dominion.
written by Oscar Manduku, AUTHOR
Showing posts with label Internet in Zimbabwe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internet in Zimbabwe. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 September 2007
Sunday, 26 August 2007
New Spying Law 'Unconstitutional'
THE Interception of Communications Act, signed into law by President Robert Mugabe last week, is unconstitutional and can be successfully challenged in the courts, legal experts said yesterday.
The government will find it difficult to adequately monitor communications, particularly e-mails and other internet communications, they said.
The law authorises the government to set up an interception centre to eavesdrop on telephone conversations, open mail, and intercept e-mails and faxes.
But legal experts told The Standard yesterday the law was an unwarranted infringement on people's rights.
David Coltart, secretary for legal affairs in the pro-Senate faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said the law was unconstitutional and will have serious repercussions on people's rights and freedom of expression.
"There is no independent review of any interception of a person's communication," said Coltart. "It (the law) is an unjustifiable invasion of a person's rights."
He said the government would have a tough time implementing the law.
"There are practical difficulties in implementing the law," he said, "especially in the current environment when there is no foreign currency in the country. The equipment to monitor communications has to be imported, and I doubt if the service providers have the capacity to do so. They will find it difficult to adequately monitor communications, particularly e-mails. "
The president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, Beatrice Mtetwa, said the law could be challenged in the Supreme Court.
She said: "They had been intercepting before the debate, and what this law simply does is to legalise what they have already been doing".
The spokesperson of the Morgan Tsvangirai anti-Senate faction of the MDC, Nelson Chamisa, condemned Zanu PF for using Parliament to deprive people of their liberties.
"Instead of expanding people's freedoms, we are restricting them," said Chamisa. "This is an anti-technology, anti-people and anti-modernisation law. This is a state of paranoia and panic by this regime. Nobody is safe -- the church, the media, workers' union, opposition parties and civil society. The law will be used to crucify whoever is perceived to be of a different political view to those in power."
Chamisa sits in the parliamentary portfolio committee on transport and communications. He said yesterday that during public hearings on the law only soldiers overwhelmingly supported it.
"We need to put to finality this madness of using Parliament to rubberstamp this crescendo against the people. This is clearly a war against the people. What is left now is for them to legalise the setting up of gadgets in people's bedrooms," said Chamisa.
Chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter, Loughty Dube said Zimbabwe did not need such laws which stifled freedom of expression. He said prying into people's conversations was "simply an indication of a government that is afraid of its own citizens".
Under the law, Internet service providers (ISPs) have to install equipment to facilitate interception "at all times or when so required" and ensure that the equipment allows full-time monitoring of communications.
An official with an ISP in Harare, requesting anonymity, said they did not have the capacity to implement the requirements, and -- like shop owners in the ongoing price blitz -- could be forced out of business.
"This law is too expensive for Zimbabwe. All the equipment has to be imported, and we do not have foreign currency for that. Most ISPs would be forced to close shop," he said.
Last year, the Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association (ZISPA) told the parliamentary portfolio committee on transport and communications that the law (then a Bill) "is very vague in its provisions and extremely broad in scope".
ZISPA also warned that "private and confidential personal information could be intercepted and misused by officials who obtain access to it".
"This could include communications between lawyers and clients, doctors and patients, priests and their flock, journalists and their sources", wrote ZISPA.
Yesterday ZISPA chairperson Jim Holland was said to be out of the country.
The government says the law is necessary to protect the country from international terrorism and espionage, and is not unique to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
5 August 2007
Posted to the web 6 August 2007
By Vusumuzi Sifile
The government will find it difficult to adequately monitor communications, particularly e-mails and other internet communications, they said.
The law authorises the government to set up an interception centre to eavesdrop on telephone conversations, open mail, and intercept e-mails and faxes.
But legal experts told The Standard yesterday the law was an unwarranted infringement on people's rights.
David Coltart, secretary for legal affairs in the pro-Senate faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said the law was unconstitutional and will have serious repercussions on people's rights and freedom of expression.
"There is no independent review of any interception of a person's communication," said Coltart. "It (the law) is an unjustifiable invasion of a person's rights."
He said the government would have a tough time implementing the law.
"There are practical difficulties in implementing the law," he said, "especially in the current environment when there is no foreign currency in the country. The equipment to monitor communications has to be imported, and I doubt if the service providers have the capacity to do so. They will find it difficult to adequately monitor communications, particularly e-mails. "
The president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, Beatrice Mtetwa, said the law could be challenged in the Supreme Court.
She said: "They had been intercepting before the debate, and what this law simply does is to legalise what they have already been doing".
The spokesperson of the Morgan Tsvangirai anti-Senate faction of the MDC, Nelson Chamisa, condemned Zanu PF for using Parliament to deprive people of their liberties.
"Instead of expanding people's freedoms, we are restricting them," said Chamisa. "This is an anti-technology, anti-people and anti-modernisation law. This is a state of paranoia and panic by this regime. Nobody is safe -- the church, the media, workers' union, opposition parties and civil society. The law will be used to crucify whoever is perceived to be of a different political view to those in power."
Chamisa sits in the parliamentary portfolio committee on transport and communications. He said yesterday that during public hearings on the law only soldiers overwhelmingly supported it.
"We need to put to finality this madness of using Parliament to rubberstamp this crescendo against the people. This is clearly a war against the people. What is left now is for them to legalise the setting up of gadgets in people's bedrooms," said Chamisa.
Chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter, Loughty Dube said Zimbabwe did not need such laws which stifled freedom of expression. He said prying into people's conversations was "simply an indication of a government that is afraid of its own citizens".
Under the law, Internet service providers (ISPs) have to install equipment to facilitate interception "at all times or when so required" and ensure that the equipment allows full-time monitoring of communications.
An official with an ISP in Harare, requesting anonymity, said they did not have the capacity to implement the requirements, and -- like shop owners in the ongoing price blitz -- could be forced out of business.
"This law is too expensive for Zimbabwe. All the equipment has to be imported, and we do not have foreign currency for that. Most ISPs would be forced to close shop," he said.
Last year, the Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association (ZISPA) told the parliamentary portfolio committee on transport and communications that the law (then a Bill) "is very vague in its provisions and extremely broad in scope".
ZISPA also warned that "private and confidential personal information could be intercepted and misused by officials who obtain access to it".
"This could include communications between lawyers and clients, doctors and patients, priests and their flock, journalists and their sources", wrote ZISPA.
Yesterday ZISPA chairperson Jim Holland was said to be out of the country.
The government says the law is necessary to protect the country from international terrorism and espionage, and is not unique to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
5 August 2007
Posted to the web 6 August 2007
By Vusumuzi Sifile
Zim ICT Bill threatens free speech
Zimbabwean Internet service providers (ISPs) are struggling to install costly equipment to monitor the flow of information in the southern African country, according to online activist Web site Kubatana.
President Robert Mugabe formally signed the Interception of Communications Act earlier this month. It enables the government to intercept phone calls, e-mails and faxes with the intention of protecting national security.
The law stipulates ISPs are under mandatory obligation to pay for and install the monitoring equipment.
“The law now stipulates that licensed Internet access providers and their ISPs must install the lawful interception equipment at their own cost,” says Shadreck Nkala, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Internet Service Provider Association (ZISPA).
The Act further states an ISP that fails to provide assistance in terms of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years.
Nkala says there is a need for discussion between communication providers and the government as to the financial logistics of installing such equipment.
“There will be a problem in obtaining foreign currency to pay for the equipment. The cost of implementing the equipment can vary from several thousands of US dollars to a million or more, depending on the sophistication of the installation chosen,” he adds.
Zimbabwe's inflation is at around 4 500%, which causes business operations difficulties as it is, he says. “This law will put pressure on ISPs and other communication operators, amid torrid economic times in Zimbabwe.”
ZISPA has engaged in talks with the communications regulator Potraz and the ministry of transport and communication on finding a realistic solution.
Information control
The monitoring equipment intercepts information from the targeted user, without him or her noticing it is being filtered. The information is then recorded, explains Nkala.
Leonard Vincent, Africa correspondent for Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), says the law will make the “free flow” of information in Zimbabwe next to impossible.
According to an RSF statement, the promulgation of this law is further evidence of Mugabe's desire to keep news and information under close control.
The Zimbabwe government denies the charge, insisting the new law is in line with international trends to fight terrorism and ensure national security.
The government has continued to justify its decision by citing Canada, SA, UK and the US as countries with similar legislation to protect citizens against the imposing threat of terrorism, says Mathew Takaona, president of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists.
President Robert Mugabe formally signed the Interception of Communications Act earlier this month. It enables the government to intercept phone calls, e-mails and faxes with the intention of protecting national security.
The law stipulates ISPs are under mandatory obligation to pay for and install the monitoring equipment.
“The law now stipulates that licensed Internet access providers and their ISPs must install the lawful interception equipment at their own cost,” says Shadreck Nkala, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Internet Service Provider Association (ZISPA).
The Act further states an ISP that fails to provide assistance in terms of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years.
Nkala says there is a need for discussion between communication providers and the government as to the financial logistics of installing such equipment.
“There will be a problem in obtaining foreign currency to pay for the equipment. The cost of implementing the equipment can vary from several thousands of US dollars to a million or more, depending on the sophistication of the installation chosen,” he adds.
Zimbabwe's inflation is at around 4 500%, which causes business operations difficulties as it is, he says. “This law will put pressure on ISPs and other communication operators, amid torrid economic times in Zimbabwe.”
ZISPA has engaged in talks with the communications regulator Potraz and the ministry of transport and communication on finding a realistic solution.
Information control
The monitoring equipment intercepts information from the targeted user, without him or her noticing it is being filtered. The information is then recorded, explains Nkala.
Leonard Vincent, Africa correspondent for Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), says the law will make the “free flow” of information in Zimbabwe next to impossible.
According to an RSF statement, the promulgation of this law is further evidence of Mugabe's desire to keep news and information under close control.
The Zimbabwe government denies the charge, insisting the new law is in line with international trends to fight terrorism and ensure national security.
The government has continued to justify its decision by citing Canada, SA, UK and the US as countries with similar legislation to protect citizens against the imposing threat of terrorism, says Mathew Takaona, president of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists.
Friday, 29 June 2007
Zimbabwe Internet Facilities Needed
Zimbabwe does not have sufficient numbers of the following facilities, capable of securing consumer confidence:
Online Transaction Processing Systems. By this I refer to a simple software application that allows web consumers to purchase goods or services over the Internet, without the use of bank notes. These are more transaction oriented than credit rating oriented. I know of one such innovation, through the Zimbabwe Association of Inventors. One of our members developed an electronic wallet, which is currently going under scrutiny with our Reserve Bank. This product is not a duplication of western technology, but a literal new innovation. When it passes the test, it will transform eCommerce in Zimbabwe.
Online Credit Rating. We are one of the few Literate countries which have not been affected or bulldozed by Visa or Master Card, in our credit rating systems. I believe that this is a good thing because it enables the birthing of our own credit rating processing Systems.
The good news is that Credit Rating will not be difficult to implement in Zimbabwe because many banks, offer some form of credit rating. Howbeit Uniswitch or Zimswitch take this further to become our own versions of VISA and MasterCard. Believe me, we poised for great heights as a nation. Insurance companies may also venture into this business, in partnership with banks, and Uniswitch.
Information Portals. Does it not strike you that we are very educated, yet do not have many information portals in our Cyberspace. Out of the existing portals, many have foreign styles, not necessarily relevant to the Zimbabwean Web Consumers. Zimbabweans behave differently from Tswanas, Zulus, English, Portuguese, French, or Chinese. Do we not have Behavioral Marketing Consultants in our midst, which are able to advise us as we build these portals?
I believe we have the potential to do greater than what we have done, only if we look within ourselves, and around us. A very simple allegory for an Information Portal is our very own Waterholes in the wild. An Information Portal can be likened unto a Waterhole in the wilderness of Zimbabwe. All animals throng to it at specific hours. They come to drink, quenching their thirst. It is a place for interaction with other creatures. At the Waterhole, there are Predators and Prey, there are Parents and Children, and there are Critics and Supporters. This is what you can create your Information portal to be, a place where you can contain all such people, and make money.
Free Services. Thanks to websites like Ygm.co.zw, yo.co.zw, and fbnet.co.zw one of the cries of my heart has been answered. Zimbabwe now has its own answer to Yahoo.com I believe, with enormous potential. Free services, especially email are very beneficial for a nation in Cyberspace, because they provide a reference point for the physical businesses, where enquirers can visit when offline. The more we have free services, the greater chance we have of establishing in consumers’ minds this wonderful world of technology. Free service websites provide alternatives for consumers as they browse the Internet. The more alternatives, the healthier competition is, and results in increased Internet usage. There are businesses which need platforms to market themselves, and free services websites offer a good platform.
Online Transaction Processing Systems. By this I refer to a simple software application that allows web consumers to purchase goods or services over the Internet, without the use of bank notes. These are more transaction oriented than credit rating oriented. I know of one such innovation, through the Zimbabwe Association of Inventors. One of our members developed an electronic wallet, which is currently going under scrutiny with our Reserve Bank. This product is not a duplication of western technology, but a literal new innovation. When it passes the test, it will transform eCommerce in Zimbabwe.
Online Credit Rating. We are one of the few Literate countries which have not been affected or bulldozed by Visa or Master Card, in our credit rating systems. I believe that this is a good thing because it enables the birthing of our own credit rating processing Systems.
The good news is that Credit Rating will not be difficult to implement in Zimbabwe because many banks, offer some form of credit rating. Howbeit Uniswitch or Zimswitch take this further to become our own versions of VISA and MasterCard. Believe me, we poised for great heights as a nation. Insurance companies may also venture into this business, in partnership with banks, and Uniswitch.
Information Portals. Does it not strike you that we are very educated, yet do not have many information portals in our Cyberspace. Out of the existing portals, many have foreign styles, not necessarily relevant to the Zimbabwean Web Consumers. Zimbabweans behave differently from Tswanas, Zulus, English, Portuguese, French, or Chinese. Do we not have Behavioral Marketing Consultants in our midst, which are able to advise us as we build these portals?
I believe we have the potential to do greater than what we have done, only if we look within ourselves, and around us. A very simple allegory for an Information Portal is our very own Waterholes in the wild. An Information Portal can be likened unto a Waterhole in the wilderness of Zimbabwe. All animals throng to it at specific hours. They come to drink, quenching their thirst. It is a place for interaction with other creatures. At the Waterhole, there are Predators and Prey, there are Parents and Children, and there are Critics and Supporters. This is what you can create your Information portal to be, a place where you can contain all such people, and make money.
Free Services. Thanks to websites like Ygm.co.zw, yo.co.zw, and fbnet.co.zw one of the cries of my heart has been answered. Zimbabwe now has its own answer to Yahoo.com I believe, with enormous potential. Free services, especially email are very beneficial for a nation in Cyberspace, because they provide a reference point for the physical businesses, where enquirers can visit when offline. The more we have free services, the greater chance we have of establishing in consumers’ minds this wonderful world of technology. Free service websites provide alternatives for consumers as they browse the Internet. The more alternatives, the healthier competition is, and results in increased Internet usage. There are businesses which need platforms to market themselves, and free services websites offer a good platform.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
eCommerce & Internet: Zimbabwean Perspective 2003
Technology-wise, the world has moved into the Internet Era – birthed in 1995. This has seen the birth of Electronic Commerce (eCommerce). In short Internet means ‘network of networks’, in terms of Information and Communication Technologies.
eCommerce, through the Internet and other related technologies, is the bringing of Investors, Employees, Management, Consumers, Customers, Suppliers, Competitors, and Government Departments together in a virtual business environment.
1.1 Globally
The Internet is now the widely viewed as the fastest growing communications phenomenon of all time. The comparative chart below places into context the dramatic pace of growth of the World Wide Web (www), a central feature of the Internet for most users.
ITU, January 1999
At present the Internet user rate is at an estimate of 300 million, and is expected to reach 500 million in 2005. Revenues are currently estimated at US$1.3 trillion, which are expected to rise to about US$3 trillion by 2005.
1.2 Africa
We will view the growth of Information and Communications Technologies from two perspectives – political and Industrially.
Politically – By virtue of international governance, our technological advancement has been determined by bodies, which have been stirring us in their desire directions – deemed to be relevant. In these last two decades, international organisations have created spearheading bodies like the African Information and Communications Initiative (AICI), which is a child of the United Nations – Economic Commission for Africa (UN/ECA). The UN/ECA held a conference for African Ministers in Addis Ababa in May 1995, requested so as to set up a high-level working group on Information and Communications Technologies in Africa, made
Copyright © 2004 by Regai Oscar Manduku Copyright © 2004 by Regai Oscar Manduku
up of African technological experts, to prepare an Action Plan in this field. The group was set up, which is now in operation, spearheaded by the AICI. The vision of the plan is ‘Building Africa’s Information Highway’. The vision of the AICI is to support and accelerate socio-economic development across the region by focussing on priority strategies, programmes and projects.
Industrially – The relentless competition, innovation and massive drops in the price of Information and Communications Technologies, and fundamentally altered the nature of the global economy, mean that Africa has a window of opportunity to use these tools to accelerate its own socio-economic development. With the youngest population in the world, Africa has unique opportunities because youth most easily adopt new ideas and ways of working with information and communication tools.
1.3 Zimbabwe
eCommerce is still at its tender stages. The reasons being lack of knowledge by most economic entities. This has been caused by the slow deregulation of the Communications Industry, which is a major entity in eCommerce. However, the introduction of more players in Communications Industry brings us to a very strategic position in the near future. We are the only country in the continent to have six players – three fixed providers (PowerTel (ZESA), TelOne, and TeleAccess) and three mobile providers (NetOne, Telecel, and Econet). We can successfully compete with any nation for dominance. We have the ability to serve the region in terms of communications, which is the backbone of eCommerce.
However, we have slackened on the Information Technology side. Please read more details from the Competitor Analysis below.
eCommerce, through the Internet and other related technologies, is the bringing of Investors, Employees, Management, Consumers, Customers, Suppliers, Competitors, and Government Departments together in a virtual business environment.
1.1 Globally
The Internet is now the widely viewed as the fastest growing communications phenomenon of all time. The comparative chart below places into context the dramatic pace of growth of the World Wide Web (www), a central feature of the Internet for most users.
ITU, January 1999
At present the Internet user rate is at an estimate of 300 million, and is expected to reach 500 million in 2005. Revenues are currently estimated at US$1.3 trillion, which are expected to rise to about US$3 trillion by 2005.
1.2 Africa
We will view the growth of Information and Communications Technologies from two perspectives – political and Industrially.
Politically – By virtue of international governance, our technological advancement has been determined by bodies, which have been stirring us in their desire directions – deemed to be relevant. In these last two decades, international organisations have created spearheading bodies like the African Information and Communications Initiative (AICI), which is a child of the United Nations – Economic Commission for Africa (UN/ECA). The UN/ECA held a conference for African Ministers in Addis Ababa in May 1995, requested so as to set up a high-level working group on Information and Communications Technologies in Africa, made
Copyright © 2004 by Regai Oscar Manduku Copyright © 2004 by Regai Oscar Manduku
up of African technological experts, to prepare an Action Plan in this field. The group was set up, which is now in operation, spearheaded by the AICI. The vision of the plan is ‘Building Africa’s Information Highway’. The vision of the AICI is to support and accelerate socio-economic development across the region by focussing on priority strategies, programmes and projects.
Industrially – The relentless competition, innovation and massive drops in the price of Information and Communications Technologies, and fundamentally altered the nature of the global economy, mean that Africa has a window of opportunity to use these tools to accelerate its own socio-economic development. With the youngest population in the world, Africa has unique opportunities because youth most easily adopt new ideas and ways of working with information and communication tools.
1.3 Zimbabwe
eCommerce is still at its tender stages. The reasons being lack of knowledge by most economic entities. This has been caused by the slow deregulation of the Communications Industry, which is a major entity in eCommerce. However, the introduction of more players in Communications Industry brings us to a very strategic position in the near future. We are the only country in the continent to have six players – three fixed providers (PowerTel (ZESA), TelOne, and TeleAccess) and three mobile providers (NetOne, Telecel, and Econet). We can successfully compete with any nation for dominance. We have the ability to serve the region in terms of communications, which is the backbone of eCommerce.
However, we have slackened on the Information Technology side. Please read more details from the Competitor Analysis below.
eCommerce: Education & the Labour Market 2003
One of the challenges being faced by the local Information Technology Industry is the increasing migration of specialists; leaving for other countries which offer better remuneration and advanced Infrastructures. The following are some of the recreation by players and educationists:
a) The Computer Society of Zimbabwe introduced the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), which has taken the market by storm. This course makes it easier for anyone to find an Information Technology related job.
b) The Harare Polytechnic (rep of HEXCO) Computer Studies Department has embarked on a campaign to introduce degrees in the next few years to come. The major assistance is from Asian educational and industrial players.
c) Occupational training facilities have increased in the past decade. These have majored in products from world leading vendors like Microsoft, Sun, Cisco, CompTIA, Compaq, Caldera and Dell.
d) Institutes like SIRDC and AVU (African Virtual University) have introduced courses, which are only accessible to a few privileged Information Technology professionals.
e) The Ministries of Education have lagged behind in Information Technology education, with most secondary schools not even having any form of Information Technology curriculum – further straining future developments.
These moves have resulted in a lot of negative factors, further contributing to what they fear – specialists’ migration.
The following are some of the effects of the above moves:
a) An influx of Product Specialist as compared to Technology Specialists. This has caused the specialists to migrate to places like USA, where these products have ready employment opportunities.
b) Lack of specialisation in Technologies has resulted in the production of maintenance managers, support engineers, and re-engineering developers.
c) There is an expertise gap caused by the inaccessibility of specialised education and occupational training; thus also resulting in them migrating.
d) There are abortions and suppressions of visions and talent from students owing to the lack of policies and structures guaranteeing Information Technology education at critical schooling levels (Secondary and Tertiary).
e) Lack of effective Information Technology Communities – other than the Computer Society of Zimbabwe – to spearhead the industry, which is too vast to be covered by one body.
In short, technically, we have a lot of novices, a small amount of outward-bound experts, and no effective production of innovative patriots.
a) The Computer Society of Zimbabwe introduced the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), which has taken the market by storm. This course makes it easier for anyone to find an Information Technology related job.
b) The Harare Polytechnic (rep of HEXCO) Computer Studies Department has embarked on a campaign to introduce degrees in the next few years to come. The major assistance is from Asian educational and industrial players.
c) Occupational training facilities have increased in the past decade. These have majored in products from world leading vendors like Microsoft, Sun, Cisco, CompTIA, Compaq, Caldera and Dell.
d) Institutes like SIRDC and AVU (African Virtual University) have introduced courses, which are only accessible to a few privileged Information Technology professionals.
e) The Ministries of Education have lagged behind in Information Technology education, with most secondary schools not even having any form of Information Technology curriculum – further straining future developments.
These moves have resulted in a lot of negative factors, further contributing to what they fear – specialists’ migration.
The following are some of the effects of the above moves:
a) An influx of Product Specialist as compared to Technology Specialists. This has caused the specialists to migrate to places like USA, where these products have ready employment opportunities.
b) Lack of specialisation in Technologies has resulted in the production of maintenance managers, support engineers, and re-engineering developers.
c) There is an expertise gap caused by the inaccessibility of specialised education and occupational training; thus also resulting in them migrating.
d) There are abortions and suppressions of visions and talent from students owing to the lack of policies and structures guaranteeing Information Technology education at critical schooling levels (Secondary and Tertiary).
e) Lack of effective Information Technology Communities – other than the Computer Society of Zimbabwe – to spearhead the industry, which is too vast to be covered by one body.
In short, technically, we have a lot of novices, a small amount of outward-bound experts, and no effective production of innovative patriots.
Internet Consumer Analysis: Basics 2003
There are five major aspects affecting consumers, which contribute to the success of eCommerce in Zimbabwe – namely Disposable Income, Literacy, Migration, Economic Instability and Technological Changes.
6.1 Disposable Income
Most people spend their disposable income on commodities than unique experiences. Others have their disposable income locked up in liability promoting expenditures. This poses a challenge to eCommerce players to create more disposable income, and eventually employment, through their inventions.
6.2 Literacy
The 35year and above age demographic group is the most Information and Communications Technologies illiterate; yet the bread winning group. This poses a huge challenge to eCommerce players in educating these income holders.
There is however hope in the younger generation, as they are the most literate and also increasingly attaining employment.
6.3 Migration
People are migrating to other nations with better living conditions. Our nation is losing an estimate of Z$20 billion each month, because of citizens’ migration (±20000 people paying ±$1m on airfare). This shows that money is available, but there have not been any innovative eCommerce players to influence other sector to attract these consumers or investors.
On the other hand, this migration is a positive because we now have a world wide Zimbabwean consumer and investor market – a chance for eCommerce to thrive.
6.4 Economic Instability
The current conditions have left consumer in a panic and impulsive buying of commodities. This has been caused by the runaway inflation rates, and most recently, shortages of commodities, even cash. This is however a very big positive to eCommerce, because it promotes a notes (cash) free society. Other positives are the unpredictable ‘stay – aways’, which hit places like the stock exchange, who will be registering a minimal loss of Z$250 million a week.
6.5 Technological Changes
Information and Communications Technologies have dramatically changed, even in Zimbabwe. We apparently have at least 80% eCommerce enabled Information and Communications Technologies. consider the following facts and figures.
- The new Sony PlayStation II is Internet and DVD enabled. This means families can communicate via their television sets.
- Mobile phones are Internet and Wireless Application Technology enabled. This means that they can be used to tap into any computer system using a protocol called WAP.
- It is cheaper to buy a computer than a TV and/or VCR. A DVD enabled Computer costs approximately Z$3.5m, which can play videos, music, and connect to the Internet.
6.1 Disposable Income
Most people spend their disposable income on commodities than unique experiences. Others have their disposable income locked up in liability promoting expenditures. This poses a challenge to eCommerce players to create more disposable income, and eventually employment, through their inventions.
6.2 Literacy
The 35year and above age demographic group is the most Information and Communications Technologies illiterate; yet the bread winning group. This poses a huge challenge to eCommerce players in educating these income holders.
There is however hope in the younger generation, as they are the most literate and also increasingly attaining employment.
6.3 Migration
People are migrating to other nations with better living conditions. Our nation is losing an estimate of Z$20 billion each month, because of citizens’ migration (±20000 people paying ±$1m on airfare). This shows that money is available, but there have not been any innovative eCommerce players to influence other sector to attract these consumers or investors.
On the other hand, this migration is a positive because we now have a world wide Zimbabwean consumer and investor market – a chance for eCommerce to thrive.
6.4 Economic Instability
The current conditions have left consumer in a panic and impulsive buying of commodities. This has been caused by the runaway inflation rates, and most recently, shortages of commodities, even cash. This is however a very big positive to eCommerce, because it promotes a notes (cash) free society. Other positives are the unpredictable ‘stay – aways’, which hit places like the stock exchange, who will be registering a minimal loss of Z$250 million a week.
6.5 Technological Changes
Information and Communications Technologies have dramatically changed, even in Zimbabwe. We apparently have at least 80% eCommerce enabled Information and Communications Technologies. consider the following facts and figures.
- The new Sony PlayStation II is Internet and DVD enabled. This means families can communicate via their television sets.
- Mobile phones are Internet and Wireless Application Technology enabled. This means that they can be used to tap into any computer system using a protocol called WAP.
- It is cheaper to buy a computer than a TV and/or VCR. A DVD enabled Computer costs approximately Z$3.5m, which can play videos, music, and connect to the Internet.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Bend It Like Beckham
If you have not watched this movie, the moral is that every Midfielder wished they could bend a football into the net or at the feet of a striker, like David Beckham. Question is, “Is this the only way to play winning football?” With this same thought, many Zimbabwean enterprises have adopted styles, structures, and content that they have not engineered, but copied. There is nothing wrong with copying, except when it limits an enterprise to unleash the greatness within them – thumbs up to Milton Kamwendo, on this subject.
Beautiful Graphics
Many websites in Zimbabwe are “very beautiful”, flamboyant, fully animated, and intriguingly spectacular. Are they successful? I know of a manufacturer whose website I have been trying to open for the past three years. No matter where I access the Internet, I have never seen their website. It has music in the background, and an opening count which reaches 100% but never opens. I tell you the truth, it is better to publish such a website as a .com rather than a .co.zw.
When designing a website to be accessed by Zimbabweans, one ought to consider the issues we discussed earlier; consumers do not have patience. Considering the state of our telecoms networks, animated websites do not go down well, unless they are conservatively built. Remember the Google.com and Msn.com comparison.
Corporate Image Only!
Have you noticed that many websites in Zimbabwe are corporate image websites only? There is more talk of the company than its products. It is good to have a corporate site; but it is not all. Many enterprises just want to have a presence on the Internet. There is more!
Your image is good, but do not end there. Present yourself in a manner that web consumers will not be offended or deem you pompous. This may cause a reduced frequency in the number of visitors. I know of enterprises in Zimbabwe, which have good products, yet talk more of the corporate image than their products on their website. This is terrible.
No Content and Poor Content
At one extreme there are websites without any content, yet owned by flamboyant enterprises. Sorry for picking on listed companies, it is just that they represent us in globally. Many of the listed companies do not have content on their websites. Try their websites for yourself. Compare with the amount of content they put into TV and Print platforms.
It is not good to put too much attention on TV and Print, at the expense of your website, which is the first point of call, both locally and internationally. It is advisable to keep a balance.
On the other extremes there are those with poor content. There is no excuse to publish insufficient information about an enterprise or its products, on the Internet. Enterprises usually publish poor content when they rush the process – they just want something online. I was once told, taking a wife is easy; but keeping her is hard work that bares much fruit. The secret is in preparation. If you are not committed to manage the content (or hire content managers, such as ourselves or those who built your website), do not publish one at all.
The greatest success story in regards to poor content, I can give you, is the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange website (Zse.co.zw). For many years this website had nothing but contact details, and brief profiles. It was not enough, even as a contact detail website. I spent about two years visiting it after three month intervals, and downloading a copy of each page possible. I tried to imagine how it will be viewed by investors outside Zimbabwe. It was not good.
I am proud to announce that this is no more. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange website is now one of the most content rich sites, which is updated everyday. Thumbs up to the Publishers of this website, and more so for the ZSE, who have taken time to change their image, and strategy on the Internet. Access it, and see for yourself. It is not only beautiful, but it is sound, fast, and content rich.
Beautiful Graphics
Many websites in Zimbabwe are “very beautiful”, flamboyant, fully animated, and intriguingly spectacular. Are they successful? I know of a manufacturer whose website I have been trying to open for the past three years. No matter where I access the Internet, I have never seen their website. It has music in the background, and an opening count which reaches 100% but never opens. I tell you the truth, it is better to publish such a website as a .com rather than a .co.zw.
When designing a website to be accessed by Zimbabweans, one ought to consider the issues we discussed earlier; consumers do not have patience. Considering the state of our telecoms networks, animated websites do not go down well, unless they are conservatively built. Remember the Google.com and Msn.com comparison.
Corporate Image Only!
Have you noticed that many websites in Zimbabwe are corporate image websites only? There is more talk of the company than its products. It is good to have a corporate site; but it is not all. Many enterprises just want to have a presence on the Internet. There is more!
Your image is good, but do not end there. Present yourself in a manner that web consumers will not be offended or deem you pompous. This may cause a reduced frequency in the number of visitors. I know of enterprises in Zimbabwe, which have good products, yet talk more of the corporate image than their products on their website. This is terrible.
No Content and Poor Content
At one extreme there are websites without any content, yet owned by flamboyant enterprises. Sorry for picking on listed companies, it is just that they represent us in globally. Many of the listed companies do not have content on their websites. Try their websites for yourself. Compare with the amount of content they put into TV and Print platforms.
It is not good to put too much attention on TV and Print, at the expense of your website, which is the first point of call, both locally and internationally. It is advisable to keep a balance.
On the other extremes there are those with poor content. There is no excuse to publish insufficient information about an enterprise or its products, on the Internet. Enterprises usually publish poor content when they rush the process – they just want something online. I was once told, taking a wife is easy; but keeping her is hard work that bares much fruit. The secret is in preparation. If you are not committed to manage the content (or hire content managers, such as ourselves or those who built your website), do not publish one at all.
The greatest success story in regards to poor content, I can give you, is the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange website (Zse.co.zw). For many years this website had nothing but contact details, and brief profiles. It was not enough, even as a contact detail website. I spent about two years visiting it after three month intervals, and downloading a copy of each page possible. I tried to imagine how it will be viewed by investors outside Zimbabwe. It was not good.
I am proud to announce that this is no more. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange website is now one of the most content rich sites, which is updated everyday. Thumbs up to the Publishers of this website, and more so for the ZSE, who have taken time to change their image, and strategy on the Internet. Access it, and see for yourself. It is not only beautiful, but it is sound, fast, and content rich.
Zimbabwean Web Consumers are Special
Fellow Entrepreneurs, there is something unique about the Zimbabwean consumer, especially on the Internet. We are a nation that has been hit with various pressures – economic, social, spiritual and political. Each time I think about the hardships in our nation, I quickly remember those of USA in the late 1920s and early 30s – the Great Depression. When it ended, USA was never the same. They went into a boom, whose fruit is still being enjoyed to date. The 21st century USA could not have been, without the souls of the early 20th century, who helped transform the nation, by consuming the products and services.
There is something about consumers in times of hardships, especially those that stand firm. I believe that knowing that special thing about Zimbabwe consumers will assist you in building a successful website.
Literacy
Have you ever wondered why it is so easy for Zimbabweans to adapt to new technologies? Notice how mobile phones, computers, satellite equipment, and DVD equipment, have boomed without need for consumer education. Furthermore, have you noticed the number of SMEs who offer after sales services, such as repairs? In this same thought, Zimbabwean Web consumers are able to move in Cyberspace without much education. I noticed this in one Internet Café where I train new Web Consumers. We are taking college students and introducing them to the Internet. In a week, we have trained an average of seventy students, who are now frequenting the Internet Café. We conducted five minute introductory sessions, with batches of ten students each. Nine out of ten in each group had never used a computer before. They have become comfortable in Cyberspace. This is special.
Power of Migration
One of the characteristics of our modern day “Bantu” nation, inherited from its ancestors, is Migration orientation. The Bantu are able to move from one place to the next, carrying all their possession, and settling well in the new lands. Nomadic people have the ability to settle in new environments and quickly customise them to suite their needs.
Over the past six years, Zimbabwe has exported its citizens to all four corners of the earth. This means Zimbabwe is no longer limited to the physical borders we know, but has cluster communities in nations like England, USA, Australia, Canada, South Africa and so forth. As much as Zimbabwean consumers are based in England, their Bantu genes will cause them to crave for Zimbabwean content. There are many examples of thriving websites with Zimbabwean content; though most of it being news. These include websites like zimupdate.com, sadza.com, and zimnews.com, just to name a few.
Consider this: Why not promote and/or attract Zimbabwean immigrants in Cyberspace, who are physically located outside the borders of our nation by helping them migrate with your content? A good example would be the United Kingdom, which was nicknamed UK after “Unit K’ in Chitungwiza. This may not sound like an opportunity, but imagine if you could allure Zimbabwean Web Consumers in the United Kingdom, who will consume your information, linked to your products. Examples are given in the Examples.co.zw chapter.
Enterprising
Every adult in Zimbabwe has a personal business project, and/or is formulating yet another. If the web consumption market comprises of enterprising people, this means that they are very inquisitive, willing to learn, in search of opportunities, and patiently awaiting a chance to shine.
This is a good state, creating an enormous demand on content for commerce. What better platform to deliver such content than the Internet.
There is something about consumers in times of hardships, especially those that stand firm. I believe that knowing that special thing about Zimbabwe consumers will assist you in building a successful website.
Literacy
Have you ever wondered why it is so easy for Zimbabweans to adapt to new technologies? Notice how mobile phones, computers, satellite equipment, and DVD equipment, have boomed without need for consumer education. Furthermore, have you noticed the number of SMEs who offer after sales services, such as repairs? In this same thought, Zimbabwean Web consumers are able to move in Cyberspace without much education. I noticed this in one Internet Café where I train new Web Consumers. We are taking college students and introducing them to the Internet. In a week, we have trained an average of seventy students, who are now frequenting the Internet Café. We conducted five minute introductory sessions, with batches of ten students each. Nine out of ten in each group had never used a computer before. They have become comfortable in Cyberspace. This is special.
Power of Migration
One of the characteristics of our modern day “Bantu” nation, inherited from its ancestors, is Migration orientation. The Bantu are able to move from one place to the next, carrying all their possession, and settling well in the new lands. Nomadic people have the ability to settle in new environments and quickly customise them to suite their needs.
Over the past six years, Zimbabwe has exported its citizens to all four corners of the earth. This means Zimbabwe is no longer limited to the physical borders we know, but has cluster communities in nations like England, USA, Australia, Canada, South Africa and so forth. As much as Zimbabwean consumers are based in England, their Bantu genes will cause them to crave for Zimbabwean content. There are many examples of thriving websites with Zimbabwean content; though most of it being news. These include websites like zimupdate.com, sadza.com, and zimnews.com, just to name a few.
Consider this: Why not promote and/or attract Zimbabwean immigrants in Cyberspace, who are physically located outside the borders of our nation by helping them migrate with your content? A good example would be the United Kingdom, which was nicknamed UK after “Unit K’ in Chitungwiza. This may not sound like an opportunity, but imagine if you could allure Zimbabwean Web Consumers in the United Kingdom, who will consume your information, linked to your products. Examples are given in the Examples.co.zw chapter.
Enterprising
Every adult in Zimbabwe has a personal business project, and/or is formulating yet another. If the web consumption market comprises of enterprising people, this means that they are very inquisitive, willing to learn, in search of opportunities, and patiently awaiting a chance to shine.
This is a good state, creating an enormous demand on content for commerce. What better platform to deliver such content than the Internet.
Free Blind Mice
Because the Internet is not an academic priority in most Marketing Programmes in Zimbabwe, Web Marketing has been a nightmare for many marketers, seen by the inability to thrive online as they do offline. My first business mentor is one of Zimbabwe’s top Marketers, who took me up early 2003, when I quit my comfortable IT position at Zimpapers Natprint. I noticed that he was a student of online marketing ever since then, only to take up online business four years after, with a serious innovation, if I might add.
I know another brilliant Marketer with more than ten world class food brands at her disposable, yet has only one website – a corporate website, that talks more about the company - Corporate Profile, than the products or its consumers.
I will not mention bankers, clothing manufacturers, department stores, bookshops, car dealers, insurance institutes, asset managers, chemists, sports institutes, just to name a few. I love our marketers, but can not stand and watch them be overwhelmed by foreign institutions online. The online competition is stiff, and some websites serve the Zimbabwean web market uncontested. It is as if Zimbabwean marketers become blind as the three blind mice, yet online innovation is free for all. It just takes the same concepts as the offline, to build success on the Internet.
What I have seen to be the problem is how marketers perceive the Internet, especially websites – a business card, company profile, and a notice board. We come from a Mass media oriented marketing background, relying heavily on TV, RADIO, and NEWSPAPER to market products, services, promotions and brands.
I know another brilliant Marketer with more than ten world class food brands at her disposable, yet has only one website – a corporate website, that talks more about the company - Corporate Profile, than the products or its consumers.
I will not mention bankers, clothing manufacturers, department stores, bookshops, car dealers, insurance institutes, asset managers, chemists, sports institutes, just to name a few. I love our marketers, but can not stand and watch them be overwhelmed by foreign institutions online. The online competition is stiff, and some websites serve the Zimbabwean web market uncontested. It is as if Zimbabwean marketers become blind as the three blind mice, yet online innovation is free for all. It just takes the same concepts as the offline, to build success on the Internet.
What I have seen to be the problem is how marketers perceive the Internet, especially websites – a business card, company profile, and a notice board. We come from a Mass media oriented marketing background, relying heavily on TV, RADIO, and NEWSPAPER to market products, services, promotions and brands.
Saturday, 09 June 2007
.CO.ZW Cyberspace: What has Happened?
Ko Zvaitasei? Is what my mother would shout out across the corridor, as Isabel, and I fought over one thing and the next. Her concern was harmony and happiness in the home. As my mother’s concern, Ko Zvaitasei, what has happened to Internet in
What has happened?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
