Menette Hiyavali
In efforts to bridge the digital gap in ICT, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) embarked on regional training to capacitate staff, enabling them to render ICT related services.
Last year, the ministry introduced livestreaming services at some of its regional offices, additional to the public address system, print and audio-visual services as well as information dissemination as platform to reach the public.
Executive director of the ministry Audrin Mathe noted that in the digital era, it is important for the ministry to render these services, where information is shared across various platforms.
There is thus a need for MICT to maximise on these platforms to disseminate crucial information, aligning with the ministry’s strategic value of proactiveness.
“The government communication strategy has adopted livestreaming as one of the tools for proactively sharing relevant information with the public, rather than solely relying on the media to inform the citizens,” he said.
Though the ministry has a presence in all 14 regions, over the last seven years, it has constructed regional offices in seven regions, with additional budgeted under the 2024/25 fiscal financial year under the ministry’s capital projects budget.
Most regional offices are equipped with an internet café and a state-of-the art recording studio.
Alongside its ministerial responsibilities, livestreaming services have now become the latest service of the ministry.
The training was attended by MICT staff from Zambezi, Otjozondjupa, Kavango East and Kavango West regions.
Last year, similar training was conducted with staff members from Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Kunene.
Although not all regions are equipped with livestreaming equipment, plans are at an advanced stage to equip all regional offices with livestreaming kits.
*Menette Hiyavali is an information officer at MICT Kavango East.