THE 5th African Digital Television Development conference is underway in Beijing, China as countries world-over, Zambia included, prepare to switch over from analogue to digital television broadcasting on 17th June, 2015 as prescribed by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union, ITU.
The conference which is being hosted by StarTimes, one of China’s lead players in digital technology, has brought together high profile delegations from 29 countries in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world.
They include government officials, experts in the broadcasting industry, heads of financial institutions, media representatives and other international broadcasting content suppliers.
Zambia is represented at the five day conference, by Information and Broadcasting Services Minister and Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili whose delegation includes his permanent secretary Godfrey Malama, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, ZNBC board chairperson Dr John Mulwila and ZNBC Director general Richard Mwanza.
In his statement during the official opening ceremony of the conference this morning, Mr Kambwili said the conference provides a fertile opportunity for the exchange of ideas, experiences and expertise as Africa and the rest of the world prepare to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting technology.
He told the gathering that the Zambian government is implementing the digital migration programme in three phases starting with urban areas along the line of rail to be followed by provincial centres and finally the rest of the country.
He said phase one of Zambia’s digital migration has since been completed and will be switched from analogue to digital broadcasting on 17th June, 2015.
“Zambia is therefore, keen to learn from China and other countries’ experience and expertise in moving our digital migration process forward. We also see this meeting as crucially important in bridging technology transfer from China to Africa,” said Mr Kambwili.
Mr Kambwili also spoke highly of the long-standing relations between Zambia and China in many sectors of development.
The Minister said China’s policy of cooperation with other countries rather than coercion, has generated favourable conditions for the continued growth of its relations with Africa.
“Zambia, like other African countries, cherishes the excellent and long-standing relations with the People’s Republic of China. The two countries have, and continue to cooperate in many sectors of development which include health, education, infrastructure development, sport, information and technology,” he said.
The good thing about this visit is that the Chinese usually serve big portions of food.
He surely will need some food.
I wonder which chitenje he will be wearing………
When other countries including Tanzania migrated by 2013 then in Zambia you are talking about phases when 17th June is just next week.
We waste time shooting guns and arresting musicians but real things are doomed.Wasting tax payers money with big teams but nothing frutiful coming apart from filling your stomachs with food
Kambwili did not need to go, is he going to do the work, or will he transfer what he has learned to engineers and other pipo who are on thereunder doing the work?
Why not send people with skills and brains in this matter than a brainless fart. He probably is going there for money deals. We know this thief and as they say a thief is always a thief. Feel pity for him and his family. A cadre on his salary sending how many children abroad to school and at the same time have a wife in the UK. Just how is this chap able to afford their education, expenses such as medical, housing, food, transportation etc. People it is us paying for Kambwili and his family live a posh and luxurious lifestyle.