Touted as the first technology hub in Zimbabwe, the planned launch of Hypercube in November is expected to strengthen the country's technology ecosystem.
Zimbabwe's Hypercube aims to strengthen the country's technology portfolio. Hubs, as depicted in the image, have flourished in parts of Africa. (Image source: Google/ihub.co.ke)
In a release sent to the media, on behalf of Taps Murove, Operations Manager, Hypercube Technology Trust, the organisers behind the project stated that in recent years, technology hubs have taken centre stage as sources of innovation and collaboration across Africa, yet Zimbabwe has lagged behind in this crucial area.
€This is not surprising given the country's recent economic history, but with the stabilisation of the economy following the introduction of the US dollar, the Hypercube team is eager to see Zimbabwe catch up with the rest of the continent,€ the statement reads.
Hypercube, whose mantra is €Tech in 4D€, will set out to strengthen the country's technology ecosystem by focusing on what they term as €The 4 Dimensions of Technology€, which are Community, Co-Learning, Co-Working, and Co-Innovation.
The Tech Hub will have 4 distinct spaces dedicated to each of these dimensions, and will offer a variety of membership options targeted towards meeting the different needs of people within the tech community.
At its core, Hypercube will aim to be an open and inclusive space where anyone interested in technology, particularly local developers, can participate in a range of events and programs.
The Hypercube Board of Advisors, which is made up of Nikki Kershaw, Nigel Mugamu, Rinesh Desai, Munya Chiura, and Taps Murove, has also committed to working to increase the participation of women in the technology sector, as well as stimulating job creation for the youth through entrepreneurship.
According to information supplied by organisers, Hypercube has already started engaging with local, regional, and international partners, and is planning a number of launch events in November.
As the citizens of Zimbabwe head for the polls at the end of July in the country's 2013 General Election, the internet and social networking in particular look set to play an increasingly relevant role. Given the growth of the country's ICT sector, the notion that this role will only increase is not far-fetched.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. (Image source: Google/ibtimes.com)
An article posted on The Independent online stated that the number of internet subscribers has more than doubled between 2011 and 2012. The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) puts the number at 4,5 million at the end of 2012.The number of mobile internet subscribers is said to have reached 3.2 million in the second quarter of 2012.
The article states that the growth is attributed to the rollout of internet-enabled devices and access to online via mobile services via 3G and 4G.
According to statistics, based on estimated figures, published online by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) the percentage of individuals using the internet in 2012 stood at 17.09%. The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions in 2012 is said to be 12 613 935.
The ITU also states that in Africa, mobile-cellular subscriptions in Africa in 2013 stood at 545 million or 63.5 per 100 inhabitants. Additionally, the number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions in Africa is said to be estimated at 93 million or 10,9 per 100 inhabitants.
Growth of the sector
In August of 2012, Zimbabwe's Minister of Information Communications and Technology (ICT), and the MDC-T's National Organising Secretary Nelson Chamisa, confirmed that the process of stabilising Zimbabwe's political and economic landscape was in place and progressing.
At the time he said that the country was in a period of rebuilding and the timing for investment could not be better,€ he said.
The objective suggested by Minister Chamisa was to push the country's ICT sector to the next level by 2015, orchestrated through the Zimbabwe National ICT Policy Framework, first launched in 2007 and adapted to keep up with industry developments.
Minister Chamisa also reiterated the country's official position on the Indigenisation and empowerment legislation that compels foreign owned companies to surrender 51% of their stakes or equity, saying that a policy framework was in place to ensure that there would be no application of the 51% threshold to new investors.
€The climate is conducive to investment. We are focusing on connectivity, on establishing a legislative environment that encourages growth and investment, there are more opportunities. We also have powerful HR, with wonderful people,€ said the Minister. €We are creating a ne-stop-shop' scenario for those entering the country to do business and we have structures in place to deal with any problems.€
However, since August 2012 the legislation has been the subject of ongoing debate. Research shows that opinion is divided as to the approach to the legislation, with concern expressed by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's Governor Gideon Gono over what he describeds as a €one-size-fits-all' approach.
According to the UN Development Programme World Investment Report 2012, Zimbabwe's FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) inflows in 2011 more than doubled to US$ 387 million.
It is hoped that this will allay fears amongst those eager to tap into the emerging markets within the country's broader economy, most notably the ICT sector.
A Household Download Index report conducted by- and featured on Speedtest.net, which compares and ranks consumer download speeds* internationally, ranks Zimbabwe amongst the top five African countries with an average speed of 5.13Mbps.
The Artful Blogger
If there is an example of the extent to which technology has now become interwoven into the fabric of Zimbabwe - (especially at this pinnacle stage of its socio-political development), it is perhaps the degree to which social networks are being used to convey information about the election process to date.
And, information simply relayed across the World Wide Web, it would seem, can be something of a €hot potatoe' in politics.
For example, there have been numerous reports in the media about a blogger, known only under the probable pseudonym €Baba Jukwa' and self-proclaimed senior member of the Zanu-PF party, whose posts refer to a number of allegations against the Party. The blogger is using the online channel to draw global awareness to these allegations.
The ruling party has been quick to dismiss the claims, describing the writings of Baba Jukwa as €a complete waste of time€ and €completely idiotic€.
Online allegations against the ruling party aside (including media focus on statements made by politicians in response to allegations of vote rigging in previous elections), the run up to Zimbabwe's General Elections 2013 has never been too far from increasing levels of controversy. News and information has flooded social networks like Twitter.
Recently, Zimbabwe's close ally South Africa has been drawn into debates. South African President Jacob Zuma, the chief regional mediator on Zimbabwe, recently rebuked his officials for statements made about Zimbabwe's lack of readiness to hold elections.
South Africa's relationship with its Northern neighbour formed part of political rallying by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe this week.
Mugabe was reported to have addressed a rally in Mutare, Manicaland Province, and was quoted across numerous media channels as saying, €We feel ashamed of the influx of Zimbabweans in South Africa. If you go to their hotels, there are Zimbabweans all over. The same applies to other businesses. Zimbabweans are literally running the South African economy. South Africans end up attacking Zimbabweans because there are just too many in that country.€
Analysts suggest biometrics
In an article written by Samu