The technological environment in Zimbabwe has been facing a lack of proper and adequate infrastructure and expertise to compete in the regional and global arena. It is clear that the lack of these necessities has led to poor development of both government and the private sector in various levels.
The introduction of the geospatial and space agency may provide easily accessible and tailor made information which can play a pivotal role in decision making, planning and analysis.
Many departments still rely on out-dated information which no longer applies to the current era and this has provided biased and misinformed programs within different institutions. For example, the use of agro-ecological zone that were designed in the pre independence era no longer apply considering the climatic and population changes that have altered the environment. Therefore, the geospatial and space agency will offer a radically different in which zones are made.
The space agency seeks to contribute immensely to health, agriculture, mineral exploration, disaster and water management. These are some of the key areas that have always been underdeveloped due to the lack of cutting edge technological data that can aid decision making. It will hence serve as a catalyst for competitiveness and growth of the country's economy and its industries.
Another key area of interest that greatly benefits from the geospatial and space agency is the education sector where various institutions have bemoaned the lack of regional and national calibrated data since they have relied on information from the USA and European satellites. This has greatly affected the way in which proper research is conducted and it has also drained the technocrats that would have provided the proper expertise in relevant fields.
ZINGSA provides the platform and a springboard to launch ground breaking programs that can contribute not only the nation but also the region and the African continent as a whole. The agency also provides a learning experience for science and engineering students who have an interest in these fields which will enable rapid development.
It is no doubt a move that has brought mixed feelings to the people, considering the influence of NASA and the Russian ROSCOSMOS which are one of the space agencies at the pinnacle of satellite technology. Many people have voiced their opinions on social media to express their concern on the launch of the ZINGSA.
The fact that it has come at a very critical point where politics is the everyday language, it has been dismissed by many as a gimmick meant to swing favours. However, it is important to note that it has actually raised hopes and interests for the enthusiastic who see an opportunity to fulfil their dreams and realise their talents without having to cross borders to other countries.
