eBusiness Weekly
DURBAN – South Africa is rallying the global community to support the candidature of Zimbabwean telecommunications and information communication technology (ICT) expert, Dr Cosmos Zavazava, for the post of director for Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT).
BDT is most powerful development arm wing of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialised agency of the United Nations
(UN) that is responsible for issues that concern ICT.
Saudi Arabian born Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid retires from the BDT directorship at the end of November.
Besides Zavazava, who already has the backing of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, unnamed candidates from the United States of America (USA), Nigeria and Congo Brazzaville are reportedly eyeing the same position.
Speaking at the ITU Summit in Durban, South African minister of telecommunications and postal, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, appealed to the 55 AU member states as well as other continents like Asia and Europe to endorse the candidature of Zavazava.
“Zavazava is the best candidate from this region (SADC) for the post of BDT director. So, I urge all SADC states and the entire African continent to rally behind his candidature,” Cwele said.
Houlin Zhao, the secretary general of the ITU, also wished Zavazava success in his endeavour to become the new BDT director.
The elections for the post are scheduled for November this year at a venue to be announced.
Speaking at the same ceremony, Zavazava said he would prioritise connecting the world’s under-served people, foster equitable and affordable access to ICT and help countries to achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
“I will ensure that BDT is accountable, transparent, efficient, adaptable, and responsive to the needs of all member states,” Zavazava said.
The Zimbabwe expert has been with ITU for 17 years, and boasting 30 years of experience in ICT.
He has served as Chief, Projects and Knowledge Management for ITU, headed division of Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, emergency telecommunications, e-waste management and climate change adaptation mitigation.
Zavazava has a PHD in business and multilateral trade obtained in Switzerland, Masters Degree of Law in Telecommunications and Information Technology obtained from United Kingdom, Masters in International Relations from United States, Masters in Business Degree from University of Zimbabwe, Business Administration from Japan and Diploma in Telecommunications and Systems Engineering from Japan and Romania.
Newly appointed Zimbabwe ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi was also present at the ITU in Durban to canvass the support for Zavazava. – CAJ News
