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5 - 12 November 2020

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Wits creates solution for Covid-19 testing accuracy “The virus continues to spread viciously across countries, with infections again rising rapidly across Europe and North America. In order for governments to halt its spread, reliable tools with verifiable results are of utmost importance.”

Professor Bavesh Kana

Braamfontein - The Wits University Centre for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research (CBTBR) has developed a control standard for certain diagnostic testing platforms, using biomimicry, a safer alternative to incorporating the actual SARS-COV-2 virus in Covid-19 testing. The Wits University team, led by Professor Bavesh Kana, used the biomimicry technique to engineer a control organism that mimics the genetic material of the virus, when used in diagnostic tests kits. If the tests work correctly, the genetically modified organism is identified as being SARS-Covid-2. The control is a safe, non-pathogenic, so it is non-disease causing, and stable. It can be rapidly deployed in a range of settings, from central laboratories to clinics across the country. In contrast, viral-based controls require specialist shipping and handling, and need for highly skilled staff and infrastructure. Professor Kana says proficiency, or accuracy testing controls are central

to the deployment of any successful diagnostic test. “The virus continues to spread viciously across countries, with infections again rising rapidly across Europe and North America. In order for governments to halt its spread, reliable tools with verifiable results are of utmost importance. Without appropriate controls to report whether tests are delivering the correct result, diagnosing and effectively managing Covid-19 will be very difficult, if not impossible,” Professor Kana says. The pandemic has put healthcare systems across the globe under immense pressure, particularly on the issue of rapid diagnostic test development and implementation. Specific sections of the DNA are typically the targeted molecule for diagnosing bacteria and viruses. With viruses like HIV and SARSCoV-2, the genetic material is contained in the RNA, and consequently diagnosis relies on the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Prof Kana says: “We are grateful for

the opportunity to contribute to the Covid-19 testing efforts within the country and internationally, enabled by the support from Wits, funders including the National Research Foundation, Department of Science and Innovation, Technology Innovation Agency, South African Medical Research Council, and the Innovation Support Unit at Wits Enterprise.” Recognising the gap in the verification of Covid-19 tests obtained via molecular diagnosis tools, and understanding the risks and complications of using the live virus, Professor Kana and his team, Dr Edith Machowski, Dr Bhavna Gordhan and Dr Christopher Ealand heeded the call to support the fight against the pandemic. Having previously contributed to the development of biomimicry based control standards for diagnostics for drug resistant tuberculosis (TB), which are now deployed in over 20 countries internationally, the team embarked on a fast tracked research programme to develop the

SARS-COV-2 diagnostic control as early as February 2020. Dr Machowski says as SARSCoV-2 is an RNA virus, the biomimicry process was not straightforward as compared to TB. “This is due to the inherent instability of RNA. However, we have been able to include elements to produce a control that mimics the diagnostic profile of SARS-CoV-2, which is stable, effective and a safer alternative to using the live virus,” Dr Machowski adds. Previous controls developed by Wits have been commercialised through a Wits spin-out company, SmartSpot Quality. SmartSpot director Dean Sher says: “Through our development and rollout of packaged controls for diagnostics for TB, SmartSpot is well geared to package the bulk stock of Covid-19 controls in its Wits-developed control cards. Under licence to Wits, we will drive the roll out of the controls, and the ongoing external quality assessment programme.”

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Ways

5 - 12 November 2020

to reduce stress and anxiety By Dr Linda Meyer

Headlines such as “Experts warn of low matric pass rates for 2020” are now in the media, and adding fear into a situation that already feels tense, as well as causing anxiety to students who have had so much to cope with already. Students have had less support and less school days, yet are heading towards matric exams on which their futures depend. Students may have to adjust their end goals, and parents must be supportive of the process as well as the goals and the outcomes of all exams. Below, we note some quick and effective study tips from an interview with Dr Linda Meyer, Operations and Sector Support at Universities South Africa. “Covid19 does not contribute to our contextual stability, we are in a volatile and unconstructive environment which has resulted in higher stress levels. We have to cope with exam stress as well as the uncertainty of what is to come. Stress is a feeling of emotional and physical tension – we are being judged by our peers and parents, and we then see ourselves as success or failures. We are self-critical. Also, as human beings we often leave things to the last minute, which creates more stress. Students who prepare and plan will feel less stressed. Focus on positive self-talks. Be personal and be honest open and frank, understand what it is what we want to achieve. We mustn’t be too harsh on ourselves or

Dr Linda Meyer judge ourselves to harshly. If we fail, we must readjust our goals. How do we control our stress levels? We must decide motivates us, and set goals. We must not be too harsh on ourselves. Failure in one thing eg grade 12 doesn’t mean you yourself are a failure – it means you didn’t prepare adequately or didn’t have adequate support. That process didn’t work for you. In having positive selftalk, you need to say things like: “I have an end goal I am motivated

to achieve and I am going to achieve”. Set yourself some motivation and be clear about what it is you want to achieve. What are some unique and basic study tips? Students: Have a routine – this is something you must do daily. Very important. Use the breathing technique (to control anxiety). If you are feeling highly stressed take 6 or 7 deep breaths for 5 or 6 seconds, in and then out, to stabilise your cortisol levels. Cut out distractions e.g. social media. Take regular breaks, go for walks once a day to get your heart rate up. Talk about your stress and anxiety with those around you Getting enough sleep cannot be overemphasised. Do not cram through the night the night before. Do not put yourself in an utter exhaustive state. You will hit a blank during your exam. Prepare adequately Have a positive self-talk Parents – be supportive, lead by example, set routine. Have your own routine and a family routine. Keep in mind that even if the students fail, they will have other opportunities, make sure not to criticise them. Life is hard, we need to be able to fail and get up again. Make sure students have structure, get enough sleep, eat high protein food, and minimise screen time. Create a balanced and supportive environment. Motivate them and make them feel safe and secure.”

A woman watches content on her laptop

TV licence bid for smart gadgets Jenna Delport

he SABC has revealed plans to push new regulations that would call for TV licence fees for viewing content on gadgets that include smartphones and laptops. SABC head of TV Licences Sylvia Tladi said: “One of the key things we need to deal with is the definition of the television set, because once you have defined what a television set is, you move on to identifying whether a licence is required or not.” Tladi added that people are not just viewing content or broadcasting services on a traditional TV anymore; and that is why the regulations need to change. “We are asking for the definition to be amended, so that it can also include devices that are not traditionally built to look like TV sets, but are used to receive broadcasting services for content, whatever platforms people use to consume content,” she said. This amendment could expand to include smartphones and laptops. “We are not saying that just by vir-

tue of you buying that laptop you are now required to have a TV licence. What we are saying is any device that will enable you to watch broadcasting, whatever it is, will require a TV Licence,” she said. Tladi noted, however, that the SABC has already been able to charge for a mobile licence with the current regulations. “Our regulations already provide for us to charge for a mobile licence. It is just part of the regulations that the SABC did not fully explore, and even when we did it wasn’t a big thing in South Africa. It was quite big during the 2010 World Cup because that is when people went out and bought smartphones because they wanted to watch soccer on their phones, and then it died down. However, our legislation already provides for a mobile licence, which means the SABC can actually consider the device you are using to be a television receiving a signal and charge you for that,” Tladi said. There is no word yet on when, or if the plan will come to effect as the proposals are still at an early stage.

5 - 12 November 2020

Inner-city Gazette

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Health experts warn of second wave of Covid-19

Scientists have noticed that complacency and spreader events are key drivers in the second wave gripping Europe, and call on South Africans to learn from Europe’s mistakes

Dept spokesperson Sputnik Ratau

Dept urges residents to use water sparingly

Johannesburg - As the Vaal Dam levels continue to decline, the Department of Water and Sanitation has urged residents to use water sparingly. The dam is Gauteng’s main water supply, and has been facing reduction in the amount of water. By last week it was just under 28%; while at the same period last year it was 54.8%, and 87.4% in 2018. Department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau however said no water restrictions were planned, as the province’s water systems remain in a healthy state. “With the water shortages in municipalities it has to do with them looking after their reservoirs and water supply. But at the moment, we are not near declaring or imposing restrictions,” Ratau said.

Johannesburg - Africa must brace for a second wave of the corona virus as cases surge in Europe, and some African countries see their own caseloads creeping up, according to the head of the continent’s public health agency. The director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), John Nkengasong said the time to prepare for the second wave is now. “The continent has done very well in bending the curve, where most infections peak around July and then decline steadily, but now we are beginning to see some stagnation,” he said. Despite early worries that the pandemic would devastate the region, the African Union’s 55 member states have so far recorded around 1.7 million cases, representing just 3.9% of the global total, according to Africa CDC. Over the past month there has been a six percent average increase in weekly Covid-19 cases across the continent, and nine countries have test positivity rates higher than 10 percent. Nkengasong stressed that the picture across Africa is varied, with new cases rising in east, north and southern

Africa and falling in west and central Africa. Kenya has experienced average weekly increases of 45% over the past four weeks, while at the other end Sierra Leone has seen average weekly decreases of 21%. But Nkengasong said all countries should recommit to strengthening testing and surveillance systems while promoting mask-wearing. “If we do those things together we are preparing the continent effectively for the second wave, which undoubtedly will be there. We have seen what is going on in Europe; we want to be sure that we protect against the gains we achieved over the last 10 months,” Nkengasong said. Earlier in the pandemic many African countries imposed tough lockdowns and restricted travel for extended periods, but Nkengasong has warned that they would be hardpressed to reinstate such measures in response to Covid-19 resurgence. Scientists have acknowledged the fatigue and complacency that has set in ahead of the festive season in South Africa. They warn that it is likely to be a grim December if the number of cases continues to rise throughout Europe. Scientists have spent 2020

pleading with people to steer clear of social gatherings, to work from home and wear masks when they venture out. It is the end of the year and many South Africans see it as a time for year-end functions and spend time with families. Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, Professor Salim Abdool Karim said now is not the time to forget that we are in the grip of a global pandemic. “People are frustrated, they’re irritated and they just want it to end. We control our risks and if we are just a bit more careful we just need to hang in there.” Wits vaccinology professor Shabir Madhi said the country is already experiencing resurgence in Covid-19 cases. “People have become more complacent in the use of the face masks, physical distancing, avoiding overcrowded places,” he said. Scientists have noticed that complacency and spreader events are key drivers in the second infection wave gripping Europe, which is once again the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, and call on South Africans to learn from Europe’s mistakes.

Professor Shabir Madhi

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Inner-city Gazette

5 - 12 November 2020

Initiative to keep Joburg inner-city clean Uyapo Majahana

Joburg inner-city organization, the I love Hillbrow NPO is engaged in a waste management drive to reduce environmental pollution in the streets. The organisation’s founder Napoleon Webster said pollution and waste management is a critical area that needs to be explored to achieve sustainable development. “We have to be innovative in coming up with ways of turning waste into a resource that develops different aspects of our society. Through the opportunities created in this project, we have managed to help intervene in issues like homelessness, unemployment and drug abuse, among other social ills. Together with Kotze Street Overnight Shelter we have managed to get over 30 people off the streets, countless others off drugs and dozens employed,” he said. Webster said the organization recognizes educational, social, cultural, economic and physical needs of marginalized communities like migrants, homeless people and recovering substance abusers, and prioritizes detection of conditions such

ty came I grabbed it with both hands. To this end I call on our leaders to assist us in our cause. They would help if they just take a stroll around some of the environmental pollution hotspots, and have a clearer perspective about the gravity of the situation. Maybe then they can attend to issues like shortage of skip bins with appropriate urgency,” Madikizela said. Project member Sivuyisiwe Ghu said more awareness around environmental issues should be implemented if lasting developments are to be realized. “Illegal dumping contributes to the filth we are trying to eliminate in Hillbrow and surrounding areas. People should be educated about the nexus between environmental health and their own health. Legislative and other measures should also be used to ensure that the environment is conserved for future generations,” she Project founder Napoleon Webster with Mayor Geoff Makhubo during a cleaning event said. Another member, Elton as poverty and other environmental to collaborations with like-minded factors that contribute to crime and individuals and organizations,” Web- Plaatjies said he is grateful for the opportunity to keep himself busy, away substance abuse. ster said. “We are working to expand the Team leader Stanley Madikizela from an unproductive, dangerous and scope of opera- said disruption of his business owing criminal lifestyle. “I am now clean from drugs. The tions to include to the Covid-19 lockdown made him recycling. Since use his environmental education and organisation also made me feel welcome back to society despite my environmental experience. issues are inter“It did not sit well with me to watch criminal past. I had been homeless linked and touch the city rot before my eyes, and want- for over four years, but now make different aspects, ed to be part of a project that address- ends meet; and do fruitful work for we are still open es this problem. When the opportuni- the community,” Plaatjies said.

Man stabs and kills room-mate Newtown - On Sunday police arrested a 28-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed and killed his room-mate at the Mia Building at corner Mahlathini and Genius streets in Newtown. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the man allegedly stabbed his room-

mate, a 35-year-old man at the building. ‘The victim was stabbed once in the upper body and paramedics certified him dead on the scene. The knife used in the stabbing was recovered. The motive for the murder was not yet known, and investigation is underway,” Mbele said.

5 - 12 November 2020

Inner-city Gazette

Call for innovators to hack the future

Crooks target vehicle-tracking customers Johannesburg - Criminals posing as employees of vehicle-tracking companies are targeting these companies’ customers in a vehicle-theft scam. The syndicate targets high-value vehicles from major tracking providers. The criminals claim that customers’ tracking devices need to be repaired, then set up appointments, where they try to steal vehicles. Netstar has launched a multipronged strategy to combat the threat; and alerts have been sent to customers, staff and fitment centres, and investigations are underway. Netstar operations executive Charles Morgan said: “We are conducting an inquiry to ensure customer information remains protected and to help apprehend suspects so that justice is served. We have alerted customers of the situation, warning them to be vigilant, as several attempts have been thwarted by alert customers.” Customers have been advised to ask anyone calling to make a booking quote their Netstar account numbers to confirm validity of the call. Morgan said all Netstar customer information is secured by strict access-control protocols. “Our investigations indicate that customer information was not compromised by Netstar itself, and that the criminals acquired customer telephone and vehicle details via other means,” he said.

The hackathon will see teams go for a share of R185 000 prize

Netstar executive Charles Morgan

Netstar is sharing relevant evidence with the police, and a joint working group has been established with the industry stakeholders to resolve the situation. Netstar MD Pierre Bruwer said: “Protecting customer information is a fundamental part of our operations. While our internal processes are secure, we are working to ensure that customers are protected, and that stakeholders are aligned on maintaining the information integrity of our industry.” Netstar customers are advised to ask anyone making a booking to quote their account number as a security check, and to call Netstar Customer Service to confirm booking appointments. Netstar customers are also urged to use the Netstar online buying platform to make fitment bookings for increased security. Netstar says its technicians never ask to test-drive a car; and to confirm if an appointment is valid, customers may call 0860 12 24 36 and use the Customer Service option.

Toy gunmen rob CBD shop Johannesburg - On Monday police arrested two men aged 22 and 26 for business robbery at the African Basket shop at corner Von Brandis and Marshall streets in the Joburg CBD. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said it was alleged that the two suspects entered the shop pretending to be customers. “They loaded groceries into a basket and when they reached the till one of them pointed a firearm at the cashier, while his accomplice closed

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the entrance. Community members alerted the police and the suspects were found inside putting the money into a plastic bag. Police arrested them and recovered a toy-gun and the money from the till,” Mbele said. Johannesburg Central station Commander Brigadier Perumal commended the good working relationship between the police and community; and urged the community to keep informing the police to squeeze the space for the criminals.

Johannesburg - The signal distributor for the South African broadcasting sector, Sentech is calling on innovative minds in the fields of technology, software development and broadcast to join the #SENTECHHackTheFutureChallenge hackathon; which provides a stage for them to compete for a chance to bring their work to life. The hackathon will see between six and eight teams go head to head for a share of R185 000 prize, and the opportunity for Sentech to select the winning innovation for future development. The prize money will be distributed among the top three. To encourage collaborative participation in building better technologies for the industry, customers, partners and service providers of Sentech are invited to take part in the Ideation Challenge. The top two ideas of the Ideation Challenge will win a share of R15 000. Sentech CEO Mlamli Booi says: “We believe in active corporate citizenship; in transforming the lives of South Africans and ensuring that we create opportunities and platforms needed for the disadvantaged and underserved communities to be economically viable and sustainable. To respond appropriately to the disrupted world of business, we must disrupt ourselves as a company and design for disruption that will bring new service offerings to our customers.”

#HackTheFuture is a chance for coders, developers, technologists and creators to test their skills within the technological advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR); Cloud Computing, Open Computing, 5G, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Web/Mobile Applications and the changing landscape of the media industry. Those interested may apply through http://hackthefuture2020.sentech.co.za/

Sentech CEO Mlamli Booi

Inner-city Gazette

5 - 12 November 2020

Inner-city Gazette

Joburg creative is MENA/Africa regional winner

French museum adds Joburg artist’s work to its collection Mjo was inaugural HYD winner for her Tutu 2.0, a lamp inspired by xibelani, a traditional garment worn by Tsonga women

Busi Nyandeni

Arts Correspondent

copywriter at The Odd Number in Joburg, Bongiwe Neema-Nouse has been named the MENA/Africa Regional winner in the Next Creative Leaders (NCL) 2020 competition, jointly run by The One Club for Creativity and The 3% Movement. NCL is a portfolio competition that gives a global platform to talented women and non-binary creatives who are making their mark on the world with their work and a unique point of view on creative leadership that is changing the industry for the better. The competition recognises those who are stepping into leadership roles, including copywriters, art directors, designers, ACDs, newly-promoted creative and design directors with less than a year in the role, and creative teams who are doing game-changing work. Entrants were judged by a jury of 88 creatives from 25 countries on fourto-six pieces of creative work, their background and information about how they, and their work, are making a positive contribution in terms of diversity, mentoring and advocacy. Along with honouring the Top 10 highest scoring winners, The One Club and The 3% Movement expanded NCL this year to also recognize those on regional level, whose work and creative vision the judges feel deserves accolades. Nouse said: “Women’s ability to raise, in the same household, children with

The Arts

Creative Bongiwe Neema-Nouse

varying capabilities and needs, into rounded individuals who contribute meaningfully to society, is a unique strength that women bring into the boardroom. This ability to lead people in a manner that is tailored to their individual characteristics is a trait intrinsically unique to women. This truth, instilled into me by my mother, forms the foundation from which I lead.” She added that she lent her voice to a pro-bono documentary entitled Generation Soweto, which was produced by LA based director Nisa Ahmed. “Through this production my mission was to redefine the narrative about Africa that mainstream media continues to perpetuate. This was achieved through honest and accurate storytelling of Africa and its people, in turn influencing a global audience,” she said. The list of 25 winners from 12 countries is on https://www.oneclub.org/articles/view/next-creative-leaders-2020.

rtist Thabisa Mjo of Joburg product design studio, Mash T Design, is the first South African designer to have her work included in the permanent collection of the popular Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD) in Paris, France. Translated to English as the Museum of Decorative Arts, the establishment was founded in 1905 and its collection is dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of the decorative arts. The museum houses over 150 000 objects that epitomise the art of living and illustrate the heights of crafts. The museum’s collection stretches from the Middle Ages through to modern times, and includes contemporary pieces by the likes of legendary designers such as Le Corbusier and Philippe Starcke. MAD has acquired two of Mjo’s pieces; the Tutu 2.0 lamps and the eye-catching Mjojo cabinet. Both pieces came to the museum’s attention because they were part of an exhibition of Mjo’s work at the Bonne Espérance Gallery in Paris, which ran from 19 June to 10 August 2019. The gallery showcases unique work in originality and diversity, and rep-

resents artists and designers from South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and Namibia. Mjo’s work also features in Nando’s restaurants across the world. In 2019 she curated an exhibition of her own and other designer pieces at Milan Design Week, an initiative sponsored by Nando’s and mentored by Nando’s Design Programme creative director Tracy Lynch. Mjo first rose to local fame by jointly winning the first Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) talent search, a competition that is now in its third iteration, with a new winner to be announced this month. Mjo was the inaugural HYD winner for her Tutu 2.0, a lamp inspired by xibelani, the traditional garment worn by Tsonga women. It is this very same piece that has been acquired by MAD, Paris. The Tutu 2.0 then went on to win the Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa award in 2018. The second piece acquired by MAD, the Mjojo cabinet, has a shape inspired by a brand of commonly used vertical water storage tanks called JoJo Tanks. But it is also play on the Xhosa word umjojo, which can be loosely translated as something that makes one shy away from attention.

uotable

uotes

By Prophet Philip Banda

Designer Thabisa Mjo

Mjo says this word is the complete opposite of her intention with the cabinet. “Mjojo invites people to look at it because it is so wacky. It’s so interesting to see people being intrigued by this wacky cabinet, because for me, it was just this outlandish idea that I had, and really wanted to satisfy my curiosity to see if it could work. I am thrilled to have my work represented on the international stage, and as part of a permanent collection, following my earlier exhibition at Bonne Espérance,” Mjo says.

PHOTOGRAPHY Contact: 072 824 3014 Email: moshegraphy@gmail.com Instagram: @moshe_photography

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Partners deliver team kits on time, says SAFA

Sports Reporter

espite Covid-19 challenges and change of dates by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), South African Football Association (SAFA) kit partners Le Coq Sportif, have delivered playing and outfield kits for national teams in time, SAFA spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi said in a statement. He said in terms of the contract, the kit sponsors are to deliver full complement of kit for all national teams by January 2021 and have given assurance that it will be achieved. “Meanwhile the junior teams will continue donning the Nike kit for the coming tournaments. Covid-19 lockdown regulations were announced almost immediately after signing the kit deal, thereby affecting the production and timelines of the delivery of the kit, as almost all sectors were shut down, including the textile industry.

Similarly, international matches were also discontinued; the delivery date of the kit and resumption of international matches depended on the easing of government lockdown regulations. The regulations were amended in September for international matches to resume as well as the production process. Our own experience with technical suppliers is that full delivery of kit requires a minimum of six months production period and Le Coq is busy with the production of the national team kit,” Chimhavi said. He added that Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana will be kitted by Le Coq with immediate effect. Banyana wear the Le Coq brand in the COSAFA Cup tournament in Port Elizabeth that started on Tuesday and continues up to 14 November. “For the junior national teams, Le Coq has ensured that all other national teams will get their kit by January,” Chimhavi said.

Banyana are facing regional opponents in the current Cosafa Cup tournament

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