{"id":3168,"date":"2025-06-24T12:05:34","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.potraz.gov.zw\/?p=3168"},"modified":"2025-06-24T12:12:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:12:05","slug":"second-data-privacy-symposium-hailed-as-a-resounding-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.potraz.gov.zw\/?p=3168","title":{"rendered":"SECOND DATA PRIVACY SYMPOSIUM HAILED AS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS"},"content":{"rendered":"

In January 2024, stakeholders from across the country and beyond came together in Victoria Falls for the 2nd Data Privacy Symposium, held from 28\u201330 January 2025. The event, themed \u201cBridging Technology, Policy, Law, and Practice: Towards Strengthening Data Protection in Zimbabwe\u201d, drew a diverse range of participants, including policymakers, legal experts, compliance officers, ICT practitioners, and data protection officers, to collectively address the growing challenges and solutions related to data privacy.<\/p>\n

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POTRAZ Director General Dr G. K. Machengete<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

During his welcome remarks, POTRAZ Director General Dr G. K. Machengete stressed the growing significance of data in today\u2019s digital landscape \u2014 noting that data is now a key commodity and a major driver of enterprise innovation. He cited companies such as Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon as proof that data-centric business models outperform traditional ones. However, Dr Machengete also raised a caution about growing vulnerabilities stemming from the high value placed on data, calling for regulators, businesses, and civil society to collaborate in strengthening data safeguards.<\/p>\n

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In her keynote address on Day Two, ICT, Postal, and Courier Services Minister Hon. Dr Tatenda Mavetera recognized data privacy as a fundamental human right in the digital era. She reiterated Zimbabwe\u2019s strong policy framework for data protection, anchored by the Cyber and Data Protection Act of 2021. The Minister commended the Authority\u2019s enforcement mechanisms \u2014 including SI 155 of 2024, which guides the licensing of data protection officers \u2014 and the ongoing campaigns to raise awareness about data protection legislation. Hon. Dr Mavetera advocated for greater collaboration among government, industry, and civic organizations in securing the country\u2019s digital space. She further stressed the importance of developing homegrown digital solutions and ensuring that vulnerable groups, such as rural communities, women, and youth, are not left out of the growing digital transformation.<\/p>\n

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The symposium featured a range of panel sessions, presentations, and masterclasses addressing key issues related to data protection. Among the highlights were a discussion led by POTRAZ on strategies for strengthening data protection regulations, a dialogue featuring compliance heads from leading banks alongside cybersecurity experts from the telecommunications sector, and a masterclass for Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) focusing on their respective responsibilities. Furthermore, a POTRAZ Research Officer presented a study on children\u2019s exposure to online risks and protective measures, while representatives from Childline Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWALA) shared strategies for safeguarding women and children from growing cyberthreats.<\/p>\n

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Overall, the symposium fostered dialogue, knowledge exchange, and commitments toward strengthening data protection legislation and practices in Zimbabwe. Some key takeaways from the event included the need for ongoing alignment with international best practices, greater data literacy, a policy framework that emphasizes collaboration across sectors, and continued training and certification for data protection officers.<\/p>\n

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\nOn the margins of the symposium, POTRAZ hosted a graduation ceremony for 92 students who successfully completed its Data Protection Officer (DPO) Certification Course, a training implemented in collaboration with the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT). The ceremony was attended by 44 graduates in person, while the rest celebrated their achievements remotely. Among the distinguished guests were ICT, Postal, and Courier Services Minister Hon Dr Tatenda Mavetera, her deputy Hon Dingimuzi Phuti, POTRAZ Director General Dr G.K. Machengete, and HIT Vice Chancellor Prof. Eng Q.C. Kanhukamwe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In January 2024, stakeholders from across the country and beyond came together in Victoria Falls for the 2nd Data Privacy Symposium, held from 28\u201330 January 2025. 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