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Mashudu Mambo
NOBESUTHU Ngwenya from Silobini in Matopo, Matabeleland South province thought the days of climbing on trees, mountains or anything that resembled higher ground to access cellphone network were over when the word started spreading, four years ago, across her villagers that a cell tower would be installed.
Ngwenya said that they removed weeds at a site that had been surveyed for the cell tower but to date nothing has been done to resolve the network challenge.
“In 2020, a site was surveyed and the different network providers promised to erect a cell tower but nothing has been done to date,” said Ngwenya.
Ngwenya said this network challenge has affected her family as her parents cannot climb mountains to make calls.
“My mother is 77 and my father is 87, they have different medical conditions that require them to have constant medical check-ups. The challenge is that when they are not feeling well, they are unable to call or inform me.
“They have resorted to writing letters and at times finding a person to deliver the letter is close to impossible,” said Ngwenya.
Another villager, Sipho Ncube added that the network challenges need immediate attention as they are slowing the progress in the area.
“These network challenges have subjected us to being attacked by snakes especially in summer while we are climbing these mountains. We also receive information late and at times we miss out on some opportunities and programmes that are being conducted in the area because the messages arrive late,” said Ncube.
Ward 9 Councillor in Matopo Bekezela Moyo said the issue of poor network has had a huge impact on the people of Matopo.
“We have been facing these challenges for a long time and up to date nothing has been done. This has had a huge impact on our children as they are not in a position to use the internet or access some online opportunities,” said Moyo.
Moyo said they have tried engaging the different service providers but to no avail.
“We engaged service providers in 2020 and they surveyed some areas that they had promised to set up a cell tower, we thought that this would be done in 2021 but to date nothing has been done.
“We are appealing to the different network providers to come in and help us resolve this challenge as all our efforts have been fruitless,” said Moyo.
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