TELONE has employed about 1 500 people from Matabeleland South to lay optic fibre cables in the 330KM Bulawayo-Beitbridge Backbone Fibre project.

The project is a fruit of the mega deals signed by Zimbabwe and China in December 2015 in Harare.  The parastatal has received $33 million out of a $98 million loan from the Asian economic giant. TelOne will offer the fastest internet service connections at lowest rates in the country, once the project is completed.

Cde Mandiwanzira said other local people benefited through being sub-contracted to do other jobs.

“In the process of the rollout, at least 1 500 casual jobs for the local communities have been created. This is direct empowerment that we require and encourage all our contractors each time we have projects of this nature being implemented. We are keen on these projects as we are on the drive to ensure that Zimbabweans are empowered through employment creation and also virtual connections through the best internet at the lowest possible cost.”