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Est 2009 Issue 03 - 2022

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10 - 24 February 2022

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Roadmap to unlock potential in Gauteng The plan offers a roadmap to increase innovation capacity development and innovation support in the province

JBS entrepreneurship centre director Machaka Mosehana

Johannesburg - Stakeholder engagement and contributions from the public sector, academia and industry looks to strengthen the Gauteng innovation ecosystem through short, medium, and long-term objectives. Mapping out this collaboration is the focus of the Gauteng Innovation Action Plan (IAP), developed by KTN Global Alliance Africa. The objectives speak to job creation, poverty reduction, increased collaboration opportunities for local innovation ecosystem partners and the contribution towards local innovation streams that can grow into commercial UK-SA partnerships and expand UK-SA trade. The plan offers a roadmap to increase innovation capacity development and innovation support in the province, with the aim of a shared vision, an inclusive innovation ecosystem driving economic growth and prosperity in Gauteng. KTN Global Alliance Africa director Dr Nee-Joo Teh said: “Innovation and entrepreneurship have been identified as key drivers of economic development, and there is an opportunity to create action to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem and its capacity to generate economic

benefits for all parts of Gauteng.” The Gauteng Innovation Action Plan examines the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and businesses, and maps out recommendations to strengthen the capacity and resilience of innovation ecosystems through increased collaboration and partnerships. These challenges were the focus of a panel discussion during the launch of the plan under the theme Innovation in practice, how to create an inclusive innovation ecosystem. Dr Nee-Joo Teh added that numerous opportunities exist for KTN Global Alliance Africa to add value to the Gauteng Place-Based Innovation ecosystem. “There are individuals and organisations with an appetite to partner to improve the functioning of the ecosystem. KTN Global Alliance Africa strives to facilitate knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships as we work towards a shared innovation ecosystem,” Teh said. Director of Johannesburg Business School’s Centre of Entrepreneurship Machaka Mosehana; head of commercialisation and growth at Fixxr, Mawethu Soga; head of innovation skills development and enterprise

development at the Technology Innovation Agency Senisha Moonsamy; innovation strategy director at Wits University Professor Barry Dwolatzky; CEO at Tshimologong Precinct, Lesley Williams; and special projects director, strategic partnerships and international relations at Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Tseliso Mohlomi, discussed the challenges facing the innovation sector. British high commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson said the extent to which countries can successfully catalyse and harness innovation is fundamentally connected to the ability to tap into local knowledge through collaboration, cooperation and long-term networking arrangements. “The Gauteng Innovation Action Plan provides a clear roadmap on how we can cooperate with key stakeholders across Gauteng’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem to deliver growth and prosperity for all,” he added. Some of the challenges identified during the process of developing the IAP included inconsistent access to funding, and resources, as well as a lack of mentorship opportunities.

Ways to mitigate these challenges include interventions that can be implemented by the local technology, science and innovation community. Those include networking events, mentorship models, awards programmes and competitions, focusing on female innovators, implementing regional innovation support programmes, training and developing local innovation champions and holding open innovation challenges to accelerate Net Zero solutions. Some of the key recommendations in the Regional Innovation Audit Report are the development of networking opportunities, which could help bridge gaps in understanding and expectation differences between funders and potential beneficiaries, as well as convening advisory groups at the sector level. The Regional Innovation Audit Report also recommended engaging open innovation models to promote innovation in the service delivery and related green economy, and food systems and urban farming sectors. It also suggests supporting networking across selected townships around innovation, for example working with eKasi labs to facilitate sharing across locations where they are active.

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a degree a stamp of job security?

The future of work is not just about gathering certifications, or as Aubrey Masango, broadcaster, cautions, about credentialism. Rather, we need to focus on skills acquisition, and flexibility. The future of work will be about job skills and interpersonal skills. What do the stats tell us? According Ari Katz, CEO of Boston City Campus, an American survey results show that 93 percent of freelancers with a fouryear degree say skills training was useful versus 79 percent who say their higher education was useful to the work they do now. Sixty-five percent of children entering primary school will end up in jobs that don’t yet exist,(World Economic Forum). For all graduates and employees it means that we need to investigate new skills in all industries. Thus Boston stays in touch with industry in order to meet skills demands, thereby increasing the number of graduates who are work ready. Katz says that entrepreneurs have a head start as they put more value on skills training. In addition, entrepreneurs are more likely to participate in lifelong learning. Rapid technological change, combined with rising education costs, have made our traditional highereducation system an increasingly difficult path for students to afford and manage. Degrees are still considered stamps of professional competency. They tend however to raise expectations of the employee when he reaches the workplace, and herein arises the myth of no work

for graduates. Katz explains, “There is a tendency for graduates to turn down a job or leave when asked to complete or participate in jobs that they consider ‘menial’ or ‘labour intensive’. Degrees also tend to create a false sense of security, perpetuating the illusion that work — and the knowledge it requires — is static”. A World Economic Forum report found that “in many industries and countries, the most in-demand occupations or specialties did not exist 10 or even five years ago, and the pace of change is set to accelerate.” “What does this mean for us?” says Katz? It means we have to adopt the concept of lifelong learning - whether we are doctors, bookkeepers or IT technicians”. It is therefore imperative that we encourage more upskilling options to thrive without our current overreliance on degrees as proof of ability. All people who hope to be employed or who are already employed need to upskill in 4th Industrial revolution thinking. Katz maintains that the future of work is about flexibility and adaptability, about willingness to learn and grow. And no one profession can ever insulate us from the unpre-

may need more..

dictability of technological progression and disruption. Jobs website Glassdoor listed “15 more companies that no longer require a degree,” including tech giants such as Apple, IBM and Google. “Increasingly,” Glassdoor reported, “there are many companies offering well-paying jobs to those with non-traditional education or a highschool diploma.” New non-traditional education options are found freely on the internet. While campus students used to be focused on a particular profession, they have now broadened demand and understanding that they need to operate in a free market economy with strong competition. To remain competitive they must be able to compete on many levels. They need an understanding of books and accounting, even if they are creatives. A recent article quoted a dad who earns extra working as a DJ by night. Not only that, he has designed outerwear that promotes his DJ brand as well as serves as an additional source of income. We need to be open to new ideas, lateral thinking, creativity, but still with an understanding of the business knowledge that a degree gives us, as well as the doors that it will open. Often laser-focused on the most in-demand skills, would-be students can now enrol in campusbased, project-focused institutions. The fastest-growing segment of the workforce — freelancers such as the Dad above — have realized more than most that education doesn’t stop. It’s a lifelong process. Visit www.boston.co.za

10 - 24 February 2022

Local app monitors kids online activities Tech Reporter

rying to create limits, impose restrictions and constantly monitor a child roaming across the uncontrolled and often dangerous digital landscape is time-consuming and exhausting. Online or offline, parents have the responsibility to keep their children safe. From being groomed by sex predators and easily connecting with drug dealers, to being victimised through cyberbullying or accessing harmful content, children are more vulnerable in the digital world. Research shows that consistent parental monitoring of children’s online and mobile activity does reduce problematic internet behaviours. However, mandatory phone checks and web history scans are not just onerous for busy parents; they also create an atmosphere of mistrust and points of conflict in the parent-child relationship. Tech-entrepreneur, Rachelle Best has created an app called FYI Play it Safe, to monitor children’s online activity. FYI Play it Safe scans every app, online search and chat across the child’s device, and only alerts the parent or caregiver if there are potentially harmful activities. The app monitors for cyber-bullying, online predator contact, access to adult content and mental health issues affecting teens, including suicide ideas. Best says as a parent she knows how important it is to balance keeping them safe while supporting them in their natural development of autonomy and self-control. “Our driving value at FYI is ‘protect them, but respect them’. The app is not spyware, and it is not clandestine. It creates an opportunity for the parent and child to agree on the way to best keep them from harm and avoid potentially dangerous situations,” Best says. FYI, which has launched globally for children’s Android devices, monitors communications and activities in all

Tech entrepreneur Rachelle Best

the apps and screens. New apps or sites the child uses and visits are automatically included. “The range of digital spaces where your child spends time is unlimited and ever-changing; it’s hard for a parent to keep up,” she says. The app processes language used as it scans for signals of online bullying and also alerts parents if the child is engaging with content around depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation. This early warning system empowers parents to take action, open up conversations and get help, if necessary, long before situations develop into emergencies. Best says FYI helps parents know what conversations they need to be having with their children, which is especially relevant when it comes to teens who can be inscrutable during their quest for independence. FYI is not a substitute for parental control apps, and rather works in tandem with widely used free apps such as Google Family Link. “It gives extra, non-intrusive layer of protection covering the child’s online activity. It saves parents time, while giving a consensual way to meet your responsibilities to keep your child safer in the digital environment and ensure they conduct themselves acceptably. It strengthens your relationship with your child by giving the right information in the form of alerts, so that you know when your child needs help. It finds the balance between failing to do enough to oversee your child’s online activity and over-reaching,” Best says.

10 - 24 February 2022

Concern over crooks posing as census workers Johannesburg - There has been concerns that criminals may use the current Census 2022 to gain access into homes posing as census officials. Stats SA is counting the population in various areas around the country. Head of project management at Census 2022 Luqmaan Omar advises citizens to use the online field worker verification system. “Our employees wear branded bibs; have Stats SA ID cards and a letter introducing themselves and the survey. The field workers have a censusbranded ID card printed with the Stats SA logo with their photo, name, unique number and the district they have been assigned to work in,” Omar says. He added that households can also use of the online fieldworker verification system. “Households can search by name, surname or verification number. The field worker’s photo, full name and surname and the district they have been assigned to work in will be displayed,” he says. Omar adds that residents can contact the Stats SA call centre on 0800 110 248, or the provincial census centre to verify legitimacy of the person knocking at their door.

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NSFAS releases student funding list

Students who have not met academic eligibility criteria may lodge an appeal Johannesburg - The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has informed students with successful funding status to proceed with registration for the 2022 academic year at their respective institutions. The scheme announced that a list of students who intend to further their studies in any of the 26 public universities and 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges has been released to higher education institutions. NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo said the list consists of names of students who qualify for the NSFAS funding, according to the funding criteria; and confirmed that the registration fee for has been waived, in line with the subsidised higher education policy. “This means that no NSFAS funded student whose name appears on the

list should be asked to pay for registration,” Mamabolo said. For the 2022 applications cycle, NSFAS received 906 429 applications. To be eligible for the funding an applicant must be a South African citizen, come from a family with a combined annual household income of not more than R350 000 per annum. In cases of students with disabilities the combined annual household income may not exceed R600 000 per annum. Mamabolo said 30% of the applicants have received a real-time decision, when submitting an application via the myNSFAS Portal. “NSFAS has put in a new process that has been enhanced to manage the appeal process. Students who have not met academic eligibility criteria may lodge an appeal with

NSFAS, but that should no longer be directed to the institution,” he added. Applicants can lodge appeals on the myNSFAS portal www.nsfas. org.za, and appeals will open from 3 February. Those wishing to appeal must upload all required supporting documents to substantiate the reasons for appeal, Mamabolo said. He added that appeals should be submitted within 30 days of having been assessed as unsuccessful. “Appeals that are supported by an affidavit will not be accepted,” he said. The NSFAS board has welcomed Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande’s commitment to fund students who have been admitted for funded programmes at TVET colleges and universities on the department’s training bursary scheme.

Criminals target motorists in the CBD Johannesburg - Police have advised motorists not to become victims of theft out of motor vehicles when driving in the Joburg CBD. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele says they are investigating several cases of theft out of motor vehicles in the policing precinct. “Criminals will tell a driver that the vehicle’s tyre is flat. Once you get out of your vehicle to check it, they take your valuables that are on

display inside your car,” he said. He adds that the safety tips include that when you park a vehicle ensure that doors are locked by checking them with the hands. “Use your central lock while standing close to your vehicle. When driving around the CBD, ensure that your windows are slightly opened or closed. Always be alert when approaching road intersections and red traffic lights; most of

the criminals roam around those places. Your doors must be locked at all times. Ensure that your valuables like handbags, wallets, laptops and iPads are placed in the boot of your vehicle; and never display your valuables on the car seat,” Mbele says. “Working together as police and the community we can eradicate theft out of motor vehicles around the Joburg CBD,” Mbele adds.

Spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo

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10 - 24 February 2022

Programme to improve SMEs financial health During tough economic times small businesses may find it more difficult than usual to access credit as the risks associated with borrowing increase

Small businesses are under enormous strain in the current environment

Johannesburg - Experian and the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) have announced a new programme to improve Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) financial fitness. The campaign focuses on SMEs’ financial and credit health, helping them improve financial security, following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The CEO of NSBC Africa, Mike Anderson said they have launched the How to become financially fit campaign in partnership with Experian, one of the leading credit bureaus. “We can equip SMEs with strategies to assist them in understanding their financial and credit health. The aim is to help them understand the impact of both personal and business credit profiles on their business’s reputation, and ultimately their ability to access funding to sustain and grow their businesses,” he said. Experian Africa CEO Ferdie Pieterse said many SMEs are harming their chances of gaining access to credit, getting better deals from suppliers and securing additional funding to help grow their business due to lack of understanding of their business credit profile. “We aim to educate, encourage and assist SMEs to become credit worthy. The programme is to provide tangible ways to help improve financial health, help SMEs overcome financial difficulties that resulted from effects of the pandemic and put them on the road to recovery,” he said. As part of this financial education drive, the NSBC will host a series of webinars supported by Experian, with topics ranging from how to improve personal and business credit profiles, managing cash flow, understanding

what credit providers are looking for, as well as protecting businesses from credit risk. The webinars are open to all NSBC members and run until the end of March. According to a recent study by the Department of Small Business Development, SMEs are often the least robust during times of crisis. This is due to that they do not have large funding reserves, client bases and commercial pressure management capabilities, compared to larger enterprises. This has resulted in businesses requiring finance to see them through extended periods of low turnover and cash flow. Prior to the pandemic the country’s micro-businesses were already facing severe challenges. A stagnant economy, combined with repeated downgrades in credit ratings, has had a negative impact on SMEs, and the impact due to Covid-19 is likely to exacerbate these trends, the study noted. During tough economic times small businesses may find it more difficult than usual to access credit as the risks associated with borrowing increase. Banks and traditional loan providers scrutinise the applicant’s credit history more intensely than usual, to gain a full understanding of financial health and ability to service debt. According to the 2021 National Small Business Survey, access to finance was listed as one of the most important areas for SMEs to prosper. Some of the biggest obstacles included poor cash flow as well as scaling to meet the needs of clients. Financial management was also in the top four areas where SMEs require assistance. A business credit profile forms a key part of the decision-making process for lenders and service providers. Whether a small business is applying for finance with a lender, credit with another business, competing for a supplier contract or simply trying to get a good deal on their business mobile contract, their business credit profile plays a role. That is why it is vital that they understand what their credit profile is saying about their business, their creditworthiness and how suppliers, clients and lenders view their business. Anderson added that small businesses are under enormous strain in the current environment. “As the backbone of the South African economy, any challenges faced by these enterprises may have far-reaching implications on unemployment. We need to support SMEs to stay in business and become more resilient to economic disruptions, as they continue to be a driving force of economic growth and job creation,” he said. For more visit www.nsbc.africa.

Ombud Reana Steyn

Warning on new

banking scam

Johannesburg - Banking Services Ombud Reana Steyn has highlighted two incidents where banking customers became victims of the same scam under similar circumstances. “The story behind convincing the victims to disclose their banking information was new, however, the basic scam remained the same, as did the results,” she said. A victim said he received emails supposedly from the post office, informing him that he had unclaimed packages at the head office. He advised the representative in the email that he had a package there he had not collected. He then received an SMS advising him to pay a R42.50 fee for the package to be sent to his nearest post office. He followed the instructions on the link, and it opened a payment option on an official post office payment page. He entered his card details and received an Approve it message on his cellphone; and he approved the transaction. After that another Approve it message came from his bank, and he noticed the word Singapore, and realised that he was being scammed. He immediately instructed the bank not to release the amount of R16 061.80. However, the bank had already released the amount and refused any liability for the loss. He then sought assistance against the bank from the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS). The OBS determined that he approved the transaction through his banking app; and though he thought he was paying R42.50, the message he received from the bank for the authentication read: “You are about to make an online purchase of CHF 1, 000.00 at BIGO Live”. The OBS found against him and concluded that he was unfortunately a victim of a phishing scam. Steyn says matters investigated in 2021 alone exceeded R295 million. “These funds are mostly lost by individuals and small businesses not in a position to suffer any financial setback. In addition to the effects of Covid-19, most of these victims may never recover from the losses,” says Steyn. She stresses that no legitimate caller or email from the bank will ever ask for a card number, passwords, and especially an OTP over a call or link; and advised consumers to refrain from using any links to make online payments.

10 - 24 February 2022

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Partnership launches digital literacy programme

Part of a Vodacom base station in Soweto

Telco partnership faces the crooks Johannesburg - Telecommunication operators Cell C, MTN, Telkom, Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Vodacom have joined forces to establish an organisation to protect their network investments from criminals. The organisation, called the Communication Risk Information Centre (COMRiC), will focus on the sector’s collective identification, mitigation and prevention of the common risk issues, with a key focus on critical infrastructure network vandalism, commercial crimes and cyber-security. CEO of COMRiC Vernall Muller says formation of COMRiC has enabled formal discussion and solution finding among operators to handle the risks they face. “It has also created a platform through which we will engage society on issues of related crime and support government in the overall fight against crime,” he says. Muller adds that over the last two

years criminals shifted their focus onto telecommunications operators. “The economic impact of Covid-19 and load-shedding and related power cuts are factors that have contributed to this upsurge. Telecommunications infrastructure, which is the backbone of the information age is particularly vulnerable to attack, and this escalating crime has translated into loss of service and network integrity,” he says. The collaboration to fight theft and network infrastructure vandalism has resulted in the establishment of the Critical Infrastructure Monitoring Operations Centre (CiMOC) that operates under the COMRiC structure. The CiMOC will prioritise monitoring of critical network infrastructure theft and vandalism across the combined network footprint. This includes working with the police to identify and arrest suspects in network vandalism, store robberies, battery theft, fraudulent scenar-

ios including commercial crimes. Muller adds that the industry recognises that criminals do not discriminate when it comes to which network, they target. “Collective working as the telecommunication industry provides benefits in terms of risk management for all operators irrespective of market share. The opportunity exists for creating a safer environment that may lead to uninterrupted customer experience in the telecommunication space,” Muller says.

CBD robber gets 10 years jail Johannesburg - The Johannesburg magistrate’s court has imprisoned a man for robbing a CBD supermarket in August 2019. The man, Mduduzi Mhlongo, 36, was sentenced to 10 years jail after being found guilty of robbery. Mhlongo and three accomplices, who are still at large, stole money and cellphones from a supermarket in the city centre. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the four men pretended to be customers and robbed the Maysha supermarket at corner Plein and Wanderers streets. “Two of them entered the supermarket pretending to be customers while the other two guarded the entrance. They threatened a cashier and his co-worker with

firearms and ordered them to lie down,” Mbele said. He added that the robbers took an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones, and fled the scene. “The cashier screamed for help and community members went after the robbers, and Johannesburg Central community patrollers apprehend Mhlongo at corner De Villiers and Wanderers streets. Some of the money was recovered from him. We hope this sentence will scare wouldbe offenders from committing the same crime,” Mbele said. He added that the conviction resulted from diligent work done by the Investigating Officer of Johannesburg Central Trio Detectives Constable Modiba.

Johannesburg - Digital skills organisation Digify Africa has partnered with the UK government’s Digital Access Programme to deliver a nationwide digital literacy programme called DigifyBytes. Access to digital skills and literacy remains a critical challenge for marginalised communities, with many South Africans facing barriers like access to the internet, high data costs and basic digital literacy. The project seeks to equip youth, women, persons with disabilities and the elderly with basic digital literacy skills for social and economic development. Digify Africa and the UK government have joined forces to tackle this challenge through the DigifyBytes project. The one-year programme targets 15 000 beneficiaries in rural communities, to enable them to utilize digital tools to access information, communicate with ease, and take advantage of services and opportunities online. Digify Africa chief operating officer Qhakaza Mohare said: “We are thrilled to be embarking on a partnership of this magnitude with the UK government, an organisa-

Digify Africa COO Qhakaza Mohare

tion invested in bringing real value to communities. We are confident that DigifyBytes will enable participants to engage with digital tools in meaningful ways for professional and economic development.” British high commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson said digital literacy is one of the key barriers for rural communities who wish to participate in the digital economy. “I am thrilled that the UK government can support the programme, helping to equip communities in South Africa with knowledge and skills in technology, promoting digital inclusion and supporting inclusive economic growth,” he said.

Inner-city Gazette

10 - 24 February 2022

Inner-city Gazette

The Arts

Museum to preserve hip-hop culture ‘The refurbished facility will also serve to drive education and empowerment through workshops, film editing and music recording services.’

A trainee at the Multichoice Talent Factory

Film skills programme calls for entries Arts Correspondent

ligible graduates who are passionate about telling their stories are encouraged to apply for the film skills development programme and stand a chance to improve their skills and contribute to the growth of the local and pan African film and broadcasting industries. Now approaching its eighth year, the MultiChoice Talent Factory South Africa (MTF) is a 12-month industry readiness programme with an opportunity to learn from some of the leading industry experts in the country, while acquiring experience in directing, producing, cinematography, commissioning, art direction and many other skills. MTF South Africa Academy director Bobby Heaney said this is their commitment to the future and give young Africans the

chance to hone their TV and film production skills through a worldclass training programme. “After so many successful years, we announce a new call to entry and look forward to meeting the next generation of African filmmakers,” Heaney said. MultiChoice group executive for corporate affairs Collen Dlamini said the talent factory continues to ignite Africa’s creative industries. “This is with alumni working on M-Net and Showmax productions, and the list keeps growing. This talent is helping us to realise the vision of taking African stories to the world, and the type of training they get broadens their skill set and allows them to be economically active in various sectors, not only the film industry. Our commitment is not only to tell authentic African stories but to also invest in them,” he said. The programme has three pillars;

a one-year internship academy for university graduates from qualifying institutions who meet the academic qualifying criteria. The Scriptwriting Incubator is a one year programme for budding scriptwriters, which is not limited to university graduates. The Bursary Programme is oneyear tuition support for second year or higher university students from qualifying institutions who meet the academic and financial need criteria. The MTFza Academy was established in 2014 and has helped transform the South African film and TV industry by empowering students with knowledge and experience in just 12 months. To apply visit https://uat.multichoicetalentfactory.com/sites/ default/files/2021-12/MTFza%20 Academy%20Application%20 Form.pdf, complete application, to be submitted by 28 February.

Fashion Week finalists announced The winner will receive R20 000 prize money towards developing their debut collection and a free runway show at the SAFWSS 23 Busi Nyandeni Six talented emerging designers have been selected as finalists for the South African Fashion Week (SAFW) 2022 New Talent Search. Competing in the prestigious fashion award for rising stars are Thando Ntuli of Munkus; Nichole Smith of Ipikoko; Mikhile du Plessis of MeKay Designs; Calvin Lunga Cebekhulu of Czene.24; Sanelisiwe Gcabashe of Gjenelo Couture and Mimangaliso Ndiko of Sixx6. Now in its 24th year, the winner will be announced on 28 April during the SAFW Spring Summer 22 Collections, where the selected designers will feature their signature entries, together with the debut capsule collection of the 2021 winner, Artho Eksteen. The overall winner will receive

R20 000 prize money towards developing their debut collection as well as a free runway show at the SAFWSS 23 to launch this collection. SAFW director Lucilla Booyzen says: “All the finalists are winners because the platform’s visibility to the media and fashion buyers ensures the national and international exposure that allows any fledgling career to gain the necessary entrepreneurial traction.” SAFW’s New Talent Search has consistently unearthed future talent and served as a launch pad for many of the local industry’s most respected names since its inception in 1998. These include Mmuso Maxwell, Jacques Bam, Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu, Michael Ludwig Studio, Saint Vuyo and Sipho Mbuto.

Johannesburg - Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa recently launched the South African Hip-Hop Museum to preserve the hip-hop culture. The museum was launched last Thursday in partnership with the Ritual Media Group, Museum Africa and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts and Culture at Museum Africa at the Newtown Precinct. Mthethwa said the refurbished facility will also serve as a museum and enabling environment to drive education and empowerment through workshops, film editing and music recording services provided to the creatives. “The Corona virus pandemic has affected every country in the world, leaving national economies and businesses counting the costs. The creative fraternity was hardest hit, with many cultural workers unable to host events due to the restrictions,” he said. He added that the creative sector mostly consists of youth, being the future of the industry. Funding sources for the museum include R9 million from the Presidential Employment Stimulus Package (PESP). Mthethwa said R2 million will be used to create 844 job opportunities for researchers and hip hop artists, between the ages of 18 to 35, and retention of current staff members. The first phase of the South African Hip-Hop Museum was launched in 2019 to preserve, protect and promote SA hip-hop

Minister Nathi Mthethwa

history, and to inspire emerging hip-hop enthusiasts. Mthethwa added that R7 million was allocated for rehabilitating the space and infrastructure investment facilitation which would host workshops and talks; and also a recording and editing studio facility. The museum will also collaborate with different people from the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector who do outreach programmes and who also are interested in spreading knowledge. The event was also attended by Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mbali Hlophe; founder of Ritual Media Group Osmic Menoe and local hip-hop legends and pioneers. Workshop co-ordinators included Neil Thurston and artists Damani Nkosi, L-Tido, Dj Kenzhero and Amunishn. The newly refurbished hip-hop museum is being celebrated as a world first. Local hip-hop legends and pioneers have encouraged the public to visit the facility and learn about when the movement began and overall hip hop culture.

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Banyana prepare for AWCON tourney Banyana will host Algeria at home on 18 February at a venue yet to be confirmed, before travelling to North Africa for the return leg scheduled for 23 February. Sports Reporter The South African Senior National Women’s team reported for camp on 4 February to begin preparing for the friendly match against Zambia, which is set for 12 February in Lusaka. The friendly is part of Banyana Banyana’s preparations for their last round of African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers against Algeria. Banyana Banyana will host Algeria at home on 18 February at a venue that is yet to be confirmed, before travelling to North Africa for the return leg scheduled for 23 February. Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has selected 25 players who

will play against Zambia. A few overseas-based players are set to join the squad ahead of the Algeria encounter. Ellis said they decided to call up local players for the first round of camp to ensure that the database grows, and that any new players find their rhythm. “This is to get new players ready, in case they are needed in subsequent matches. We have also included international Hilda Magaia. She is still in the country as has not returned to her Swedish club, Moron BK. Also called up is Bongeka Gamede from the University of the Western Cape, but might not make it as she is struggling with an injury,’’ Ellis added. Ellis said she is confident Ban-

yana will build on the momentum they had in the past few years, in which they dominated the COSAFA region and recently won the Aisha Buhari Cup in Nigeria. In the last AWCON in 2018 in Ghana Banyana lost to the Super Falcons on penalties in the final after going the whole tournament unbeaten. Meanwhile the Under -17 National Women’s team is preparing for the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which will take place in October in India. The junior girls’ team, Bantwana, are in training ahead of their first round of World Cup qualifiers against Kenya in March. This is the seventh edition of the tournament, and was postponed

last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Coach Siphiwe Dludlu is building a new squad after most of her 2019 group graduated into the U20 national team. “We are looking forward to build a team that will take us to the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in October this year. We face many challenges as we always have to build a new team and navigate around the education of the various players. However, we have a system that accommodates everyone’s needs,’’ Dludlu said. The team will report for camp on 24 February to prepare for their first leg match against Kenya on 12 March, with the return leg scheduled for 19 March this year.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis