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11 - 25 March 2021

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Covid-19 erodes gender equality progress Women are less likely to have significant savings or have put money away for retirement, leaving them at higher risk following periods of unemployment or restricted income.

Experience architect for Women’s Forum Ntombi Mhangwani

Johannesburg - A number of studies have indicated the devastating macro-level impact of Covid-19 on women, affirming that women are more likely to work in harder hit and higher risk sectors such as healthcare, social and domestic work. This year alone, about 47 million women are expected to be living on less than $1.90 a day as a result of the pandemic. Additionally, around 740 million women globally work in the informal economy, which was detrimentally affected by the lockdowns. Furthermore, women remain underrepresented in formal employment, particularly at more senior levels. The decline in women’s economic empowerment could have significant long-term impact. Experience of pandemics like Ebola and Zika suggest that women take longer than men to recover from the impact of a financial crisis. Women are less likely to have significant savings or have put money away for retirement, leaving them at higher risk following

periods of unemployment or restricted income. The drive for more physical distancing in the workplace could also accelerate automation trends. This is a concern given that 11% of the female workforce is at a high risk of automation, compared with 9% of their male peers. The erosion of female empowerment and poverty reduction programmes also threatens not only progress made towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but also the development agenda in countries across the world. Experience architect for Women’s Forum at Accenture Interactive Africa, Ntombi Mhangwani says the impact of Covid-19 will continue to allow societies to be less equal, more divided and poorer if they are left unattended. “It is therefore important to recognise women as equal partners and key actors in the economy and in the process increase the possibilities for a quicker socio-economic recovery,” she adds.

The uneven impact of the pandemic on women has not gone unnoticed. Important debates on issues ranging from the burden of household responsibilities and increased domestic violence to equal pay have become mainstream concerns. But while recognition and energetic public discourse are crucial first steps towards a more gender equal world, this is not sufficient to drive significant change. “It is important that we adopt gender-responsive budgeting informed by gender impact assessments to ensure that pandemic recovery measures foster a gender-inclusive workforce. We need to ensure equal representation of women at all levels of decisionmaking platforms, develop as well as fund action plans to stimulate women’s participation in entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems by supporting the startup, scale-up and sustainability of women-owned businesses, particularly in e-commerce and the digital economy,” says Mhangwani.

She adds that at Accenture they strive to become a more inclusive and diverse company across all levels. “Recently we also set a new goal for increasing gender, race and ethnicity representation within our organisation by 2025. This will result in a representation of women managing directors in South Africa from 28% to 50%. At present about 52% of staff complement in the country are women,” she adds. Gender equality is a strategic business goal at Accenture. The company is currently reporting a global female workforce of 45% and 25% holding managing director roles. “About 100% of Accenture’s women are mentored and supported at every stage of their careers. The Accenture Women’s Network, an employee group across more than 150 locations globally, serves as an in-person and online resource for our women to network, learn and grow. We take inclusion and diversity very serious,” says Mhangwani.

Inner-city Gazette

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11 - 25 March 2021

Fake Covid-19

Get Higher

benefits from

Now that matric results are out, we can all proceed with our academics for 2021! A great way forward is to investigate the benefits of a Higher Certificate. These benefits are many and include: • Fees subsidy. Boston subsidises the Higher Certificates by up to 30%, making this an affordable Higher Education. • Level of education: The Higher Certificate sits at level 5, equivalent to first year of a degree. • Articulation: for those who did not get degree entry, completion of the Higher Certificate gives not only degree entry but also accumulates credits towards an appropriate degree or diploma. This is a great alternative to matric rewrites. • Basic entry level workplace skills. A higher certificate makes you work ready in your career choice, providing skills in demand by employers. • Time saving: a higher certificate takes on average ne year to complete, meaning by the end of this year you will have added a completed qualification to your CV, making you more employable. • Business Skills: if you are entrepreneurial, spending a year gaining basic business skills such as finance and marketing, will hep you up your game when you establish your own business. • Accreditation. A Higher Certificate is accredited by the Council on Higher Education. Boston also has international institutional accreditation from the British accreditation council as well as candidacy accreditation for specific programmes from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, USA. • Try outs: if you are unsure as to whether you will enjoy your chosen career, or wish to know more before you commit to a three-year degree or diploma, or wish to see if you will manage higher education academics, the Higher Certificate allows you to judge. • Work place Skills Plans: The time

Higher Education!

vaccines for sale If you see an advertisement for something related to Covid-19, look carefully at the URLs of the sites that you visit Jenna Delport

of year is approaching when all companies must submit their WSP (Workplace Skills Plan) discussing the planned and completed skills development of their employees. “We at Boston believe this is an opportune moment to register staff for a Higher Certificate with Boston,” says Ari Katz, CEO of Boston. Katz continues that the Higher Certificate can be completed in one year. “This means that while you will record the training as planned on this year’s WSP, by this time next year it will be recorded as completed as you will be able to submit the costs of the training as part of your skills development. This is a labour department requirement, and Boston is easily available to facilitate this for you.” • Study anywhere, anytime. With Boston’s Higher Education being available online, you can carry on seam-

lessly with home life or work life while you complete the higher certificate. • Motivation! Jerome Van de Merwe of Boston Orange Grove has found that working students are very motivated and disciplined to complete assignments on time, as especially with the Higher Certificates, a qualification is well within their reach in only one year. Katz says that the value of the Higher Certificates is that they are full qualifications, providing basic entry-level skills in over 13 different disciplines, carry accreditation and add to a CV or a company’s skills pool, while growing the individual. “In addition, stats have shown a vast increase in productivity due to both skills and motivation when a corporate takes the time and interest to sponsor a staff member.” Visit www.boston.co.za, or call 011 551 2000.

nderground scammers are selling fake Covid-19 vaccines, with the majority of sellers originating from France, Germany, UK and USA, according to online security researchers. The prices per dose range from $250 to $1 200; the average cost being about $500. Kaspersky researchers examined 15 marketplaces on the Darknet and found advertisements for three major Covid-19 vaccines: Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Moderna. There were also sellers advertising unverified vaccines. Scammers and buyers usually get in contact via encrypted messaging apps like Wickr and Telegram, while payments are requested in the form of cryptocurrency, primarily Bitcoin. The majority of these underground sellers have so far made between 100500 transactions. With the information available it is impossible to tell how many doses of the vaccine being advertised online are actual doses; as many medical facilities have found themselves with leftover doses; and how many advertisements are scams. Security expert at Kaspersky Dmitry Galov says it is not surprising that sellers would attempt to capitalise on the vaccination campaign, since you can find just about anything on the Darknet. “Over the past year there have been a host of scams exploiting the Covid-19 topic, and many of them have been successful. Right now not only are people selling vaccine doses, but they are also selling vaccination re-

Security expert Dmitry Galov

cords, pieces of paper that can help you travel freely. It’s important for users to be cautious of any “deal” related to the pandemic, and, of course, it’s never a good idea to buy a vaccine off of the Darknet.” To stay safe from scammers the experts recommend never to buy products, including vaccine doses, on the Darknet. If you see an advertisement for something related to Covid-19, look carefully at the URLs of the sites that you visit. If just one letter looks out of place, or if the usual .com has been replaced with .com.tk or something along those lines, your gut should tell you it is phishing. Never enter personal information on such a site. Pay attention to grammar and layout on both the sites you visit and the emails you receive. If something seems phishy, it probably is. Even if you did receive something in the mail, most likely what you would receive would not be an effective, valid dose. More importantly, obtaining such doses is illegal, the experts warn.

11 - 25 March 2021

Inner-city Gazette

News

Initiative helps small business recovery “We are delighted to partner on an endeavour that is a catalyst towards reigniting the economy.”

Forbes Africa editor Renuka Methil

Summit honours impactful women Johannesburg - After a two-day virtual interaction themed, Africa Reloaded: The Power of The Collective, the 6th annual Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit honoured some of Africa’s most impactful women. The awards celebrate African women who inspire confidence through rewriting the narrative, advocate positive change and are committed to economic and social transformation. Managing editor of Forbes Africa and Forbes Woman Africa Renuka Methil said: “We congratulate the 2021 award winners for being such incredible leaders in their respective fields, particularly after such a tumultuous year. With the global pandemic creating so much disruption, this summit was a welcome opportunity to get insight from these grounded, inspiring women who’ve all given us a renewed sense of hope.” The award winners Young Achievers Award: Rabia Ghoor, Founder of Swiitch Beauty Social Impact Award: Isabelle Kamariza, Founder of Solid’Africa Technology and Innovation Award: Temie Giwa Tubosun, Founder of Lifebank Academic Excellence Award: Professor Rudo Mathivha, Academic Head of Intensive Care Services at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Sports Award: Hellen Obiri, Olympic Athlete Entertainer Award: Elsa Majimbo, Kenyan Comedian Business Woman of the Year: Ada Osakwe, Founder of Agrolay Ventures Lifetime Achievement Award: H.E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former president of Liberia

Johannesburg - In an effort to aid the recovery of the SMEs, Airbnb has launched a host-led initiative Support Jozi, Shop Local, in partnership with payment app, SnapScan. This initiative aims to drive traffic to the smaller businesses, assisting their recovery by giving an incentive to people for supporting small businesses. Using the SnapScan app, locals and visitors can now buy goods and services in 20+ Jozi businesses, chosen and recommended by local Hosts on Airbnb. People using SnapScan in these locations will also earn cashback vouchers called Jozibucks, funded by Airbnb, which can be spent in the shops throughout March, driving additional revenue for the local businesses. Featured Jozi businesses include coffee shops, eateries and hair salons, including The Bioscope and Salvation Cafe in Millpark, Home of the Bean in Jeppestown, Victoria Yards in Lorentzville and Wild Hair in Parkhurst. SnapScan is a contactless mobile payment solution that makes it easy and safe to pay and receive payments in a store, online, at home, and on the go. Middle East and Africa Regional Lead for Airbnb Velma Corcoran said: “Airbnb’s community is known for its passion for supporting local small businesses, and as many guests on Airbnb will know, it’s often their hosts who have the best local recommendations. Initiatives like this help drive local recovery in South Africa, while providing an economic lifeline for local families, small businesses and communities. We know local businesses are struggling right now, so together with local hosts, we want to highlight them and give them the praise they deserve, and encourage everyone to support their community, and shop local.” As part of the campaign Airbnb also released a map and guide, in partnership with South African Tourism, IamJoburg, CurioCity and

Gauteng Tourism Authority, which showcases a variety of small businesses including the more than 20 where locals and visitors can spend and save using the SnapScan app. A Jozibucks pin on the map and in-store shows locals and visitors where they can spend and save. CEO of SnapScan Chris Zeitsman said: “We can see the impact the pandemic has had on small businesses across South Africa. The initiative not only shines a light on hardworking small business owners, but will also generate real economic impact that directly supports recovery in local communities.” South Africa Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona said this initiative speaks to ensure recovery of the sector by aiding the SMEs to recover. “Tourism is a vital instrument for the economic recovery, to help our economy recover, and we applaud this project which aims to inspire locals and visitors to explore and spend locally,” Ntshona said. CEO of Constitution Hill and custodian of the IamJoburg digital tourism platform Dawn Robertson said: “We are delighted to partner on an endeavor such as this that promotes the support of local businesses in our city to serve as a catalyst towards our efforts in reigniting the economy.” CEO and founder of CurioCity Bheki Dube said: “Local small businesses have proved to be the catalyst in sustaining our economy and retaining the city’s history, heritage and soul. We are very pleased to be involved in this initiative and to see local businesses getting the exposure, support and spotlight they deserve.” Acting CEO of Gauteng Tourism Authority, Barba Gaoganediwe said:

“Gauteng has always been a thriving tourism hub and Johannesburg in particular is the entry point for many who visit South Africa. A project such as this goes to show that our province has much to offer locals and visitors alike, and we are thrilled to be part of a project that promotes this.” For more information visit airbnb. co.za/d/supportjozi. IAfrica.com

IamJoburg custodian Dawn Robertson

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Inner-city Gazette

11 - 25 March 2021

Association warns on stokvel scammers With a Ponzi scheme members are promised huge returns within a short period, based on fraudulent investment services Own Correspondent

NASASA CEO Miziyonke Mtshali

Stokvel members know where their money is kept and when and how much will be paid out.

here has been an increase in pyramid or Ponzi schemes, which defraud many South Africans of their money with promises of fast financial returns. The National Stokvel Association of South Africa (NASASA) indicates that there are about 810 000 stokvel groups consisting of over 11million South Africans, collecting an estimated R50 billion annually. A stokvel is defined as a savings or investment society in which people agree to save money together for a purpose, by contributing a fixed amount of money over a specific period. Originally stokvels were known as “stock fairs” in the 19th century by English settlers in the Eastern Cape as a rotating cattle auction. This was an in person gathering, and attendance was key for participation.

The types of stokvels have increased from rotational, grocery, investment, burial right down to social stokvels. The popularity of stokvels has resulted in scammers trying to swindle stokvel groups out of their savings and investments by posing as a lucrative investment scheme or some form of financial breakthrough. The scammers often pose as legitimate stokvels, investment schemes or property stokvels, but in reality are get rich quick Ponzi or pyramid schemes. NASASA CEO Miziyonke Mtshali says: “At NASASA, we want to educate, protect and preserve this financial system which is a legitimate means for many to achieve financial stability and wellbeing.” NASASA aims to ensure that members are always able to distinguish between a legitimate stokvel and an illegal Ponzi or pyramid scheme. Being able to identify the pyramid and Ponzi schemes is key to safe-

guarding from them. A pyramid scheme requires members to recruit other people, and the few top-level members recruit newer members, who pay upfront costs, to those who enrolled them. In fact, money simply exchanges hands with no real economic activity or products attached; and is just a smoke screen to hide the pyramid scheme. Significant returns are derived from the recruitment of people, with the majority of financial return being made by the top tier people through administration fees charged to recruits. With a Ponzi scheme, members are promised huge returns within a short period and are based on fraudulent investment management services, which are disguised as legitimate business investments. Members contribute money to the “portfolio manager” who promises them a high return. When those mem-

bers want their money back, they are paid out with the incoming funds contributed by participants who join at a later stage. By merely transferring funds from one client to another, there is no real investment product. In terms of a legitimate and sustainable savings vehicle, a stokvel works because many people find it easier to save when they do it in a group. Stokvel members know where their money is kept and when and how much will be paid out. Most members know each other and have a genuine relationship based on trust. Money Smart Week South Africa (MSWSA) is a financial literacy campaign to motivate and empower South Africans to become better educated about their finances. MSWSA 2021 will take place between the 22 and 28 March 2021, consisting of events and other initiatives, many of which will be live streamed on www.mswsa.co.za.

R70 000 prizes for amateur photographers

Centurion College

Centurion College have achieved good results considering the nega-

tive impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Centurion College class of 2020 achieved 97,6 % overall ,a total of 41 Matriculants at school sat for their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations and the results were as follows 30 Bachelor pass ,10 Diploma,1 Fail. The top student is Nomnonso Ntombela she achieved, six distinctions in Bachelor pass. Mr Mlangeni Deputy Principal of the school, said “we had challenges when considering the pandemic but, decided to go extra mile by arranging Saturday classes and afternoon classes. Furthermore the vice Principal thanked parents for their support and learners for their combined effort with the teachers to achieve the same goal.

Johannesburg - For the first time in SA, National Geographic is inviting amateur photographers to showcase their unique stories and perspectives through their lens, enabling unique local stories and experiences to be depicted using the photographic medium. National Geographic has announced its #ExploreWithNatGeo Photo Competition 2021, brought by Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, in collaboration with The Sunday Times. Themed Find the epic in every day, the competition invites all South Africans to capture unique and remarkable moments, experiences or aspects of everyday life around them. Entries opened on 7 March and proceed up to 3 April 2021. Capturing the epic moments through a single image could lead to a share in prizes worth R70 000. The finalist photos and winning three will be published in the Sunday Times Lifestyle and online at TimesLive. Competitors are urged to post their photos on Instagram, tagging @NatGeo_Africa @SamsungMobileSA, adding #ExploreWithNatGeo #GalaxyS21 and #withGalaxy hashtags.

Walt Disney’s Evert van der Veer

Every week, 10 photos will be chosen by the judging panel, which, with an additional 10 wildcard entries, will become the top 50 entrants. The top 10 finalists will be selected by a panel that includes award-winning photographer and National Geographic explorer Gulshan Khan. The winner will be announced on Earth Day, 22 April 2021.

Walt Disney Africa vice-president Evert van der Veer says: “Visual storytelling is at the heart of National Geographic and we receive hundreds of photographs from our social media followers every year. Every picture tells a story, every day has an epic moment and we are excited to see what tales South Africans have to tell.” Samsung SA marketing officer Cambridge Mokanyane says: “This inspires amateur photographers to showcase their creativity and share their perspective. When innovating the camera for the Galaxy S21 Series 5G, we focused on empowering people to explore the world around them and create their own epic moments.” Entrants must be over the age of 16, and must not be professional photographers. The photos must be unedited except for colour grading; no CG techniques, super-imposing, etc. The photos must speak to the theme of showcasing the ‘epic’ in something seemingly ordinary. Competition terms and conditions are on https://www.natgeotv.com/za/special/national-geographic-2021-southafrican-photographic-competition.

Twelve years jail for killer knifeman Johannesburg – On Monday the Johannesburg magistrate’s court sentenced Sbahle Bongani Nhlumayo, 42, to 12 years imprisonment for murder, and also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said Nhlumayo stabbed Sabit Cathethe, 37, twice in the upper body on 1 December 2019. “Paramedics certified him dead at the scene. Nhlumayo was on the run until he was apprehended at corner Lilian Ngoyi and Claim streets on 28 January 2020. He was kept in custody until he was convicted,” Mbele said. He added that the conviction was a result of diligent work done by the investigating officer Constable Ramovha of Johannesburg Central police station. “We hope this sentence will scare would be offenders from committing the same crime,” he said. Johannesburg Central station commander Brigadier Perumal commended the good working relationship between the community and the police that led to the arrest of the murderer.

11 - 25 March 2021

Inner-city Gazette

Covid-19 kills fewer African women than men - UN study

UJ to host

maths day Johannesburg - The proclamation of 14 March as the International Day of Mathematics was adopted by the executive council of Unesco at its 205th session, and adopted by the 40th session of the General Conference of Unesco in November 2019. Each year has a unique theme; this year’s is mathematics for a better world. Registration is free for all highschool learners. Learners can register on https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5RK2E7GTIqDWhbgjBkeBkZJ9sNo_56lvk9RmPOQkan7cg/viewform. Africa Teen Geeks has partnered with the University of Johannesburg, Northcliff Rotary Club and Unicef to celebrate this special day, to foster growth and ignite passion for mathematics, as a subject and tool to solve problems and establish innovative ideas. Founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks Lindiwe Matlali said: “This aligns with our mission of inspiring and creating a pipeline of students who excel and are passionate about STEM to ensure that South Africa and Africa produces future scientists, mathematicians, tech innovators and entrepreneurs.” UJ mathematics Professor Farai Nyabadza said: “We are delighted to share how mathematics has changed and influenced global policies on the current Covid-19 pandemic. Mathematics emerges in all spheres of life and it is the language of economic development, predictions, peace and stability and social cohesion. It shapes the human mind-set and defines order.” The event also includes a poster competition where learners can create a poster that shows one way to

Around 41% of Covid-19 cases were women, although the figures ranged widely from 31% in Niger to more than 57% in South Africa

Africa Teen Geeks founder Lindiwe Matlali

make the world better using mathematics. Competition is open to grade eight to 12 learners. Learners can create a poster digitally by using a drawing programme or draw it on paper, scan it or take a photo. Submit one JPG, PNG or PDF file to az.ca.ju@ uwkuhcolaa by 17 March 2021. The winner is to be announced during the online programme on 20 March 2021. Unicef South Africa representative Christine Muhigana said: “Mathematics provides not only foundational but also critical functional skills and opportunities for children as they develop into their working lives. Growing up with these attributes, children will create a more equal and inclusive workforce that provides relevant skills. The Covid-19 pandemic and related vaccine development has highlighted why science based subjects are so important in helping to build a better world for all.” Rotary Club of Northcliff president Andrew Buttress said: “Maths is incredibly important in our lives, we use mathematical concepts as well as the skills we learn from doing math problems every day.”

Joburg libraries reopen Johannesburg - City of who want to read and Joburg public libraries study, now at least it is reopened on Monday, going to open up and get after being closed for back to normality.” several months in line with Covid-19 lockvent enue down regulations. Joburg Community Development MMC Weddings Margaret Arnolds said: “We are now End of year going to open graduations up for people to come and loan the books. We are also Birthday parties going to open up for people Call for bookings to come in and study and use our computers in the libraries; so that those

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Johannesburg - Citing reports from a recent study, the United Nations (UN) has announced that African women are less likely to die from Covid-19 than men, but more likely to succumb to maternal complications due to limited access to reproductive services since the pandemic started. A study of 28 African countries showed that on average women accounted for a slightly smaller proportion of Covid-19 infections and deaths compared to men. Overall, around 41% of reported Covid-19 cases were women, although the figures ranged widely from 31% in

Niger to more than 57% in South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said in most countries, women are somewhat less likely to die from Covid-19 than men. “But the pandemic had exposed gaps in health services, with women suffering the brunt of disrupted access to care. There was a rise in maternal deaths in 10 countries. Access to sexual and reproductive care was already poor on the continent before the virus hit. But access was made worse by restrictions to stem the spread of Covid-19, pushing more

Girl shoots rapist dead Johannesburg - On Saturday a West Rand teenager overpowered a man who raped her and shot him dead, according to police, who described her as a brave rape victim. The man’s dead body was later found at the scene. West Rand district police spokesperson Captain Eddie Boboko said the man took the 15-year-old girl to an open field in Wedela at gunpoint on Saturday night. “He forced her to undress and proceeded to rape her. While he was busy raping her she managed to get hold of the firearm and shot him on the upper body. The girl dropped the firearm and ran home, where she re-

ported the incident to her mother. Police were contacted on Sunday and the girl pointed out the crime scene. The deceased rape suspect was found at the scene but the firearm was missing. Police launched a search for the firearm but it was not found during the search by K9 Unit members. A rape case was opened and an inquest is being investigated,” Boboko said. Owing to the incident he girl is set to undergo counselling, he added

WHO regional director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti

women to seek risky informal abortions,” Moeti said. Overstretched hospitals were often unable to see patients seeking nonCovid-19 related services, she added. More data is needed to determine the full extent of the effect. AFP

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Inner-city Gazette

11 - 25 March 2021

Inner-city Gazette

Powerful theatre

Programme to explore cultural

from street life

intelligence

Lesley Stones

very year the Market Theatre stages an Afro-American play to celebrate Black History Month. It’s a pleasure to leave the historical part behind and be slammed right into the gritty reality of black Americans today. Now we see the streets doused with the blood of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner, just two of the many black men killed by US policemen. Pass Over written by Harvard graduate Antoinette Nwandu is a powerful piece of theatre and its actors are delightful. It runs at the Market Theatre until March 28. The play was partly inspired by the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, and its style influenced by Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot. In Pass Over we have Kitch (Hungani Ndlovu) and Moses (Khathu Ramabulana) living under a lamppost in the ghetto. The play was first performed by Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 2017, then adapted for a film by Danya Taymor and Spike Lee. Moses and Kitch dream of getting off the streets. Their moods range from jocularity to despondency, with anger and fear mixed. Sometimes their lighthearted banter or fanciful dreams of a better life are interrupted by sounds of gunshots, with the perfectly timed combination of sound, lights and action making the audience jump too. Moses talks about moving to a better life. Eventually he suspects that the only way to a better life will be through death, since Earthly life is an

The Arts

“It aims to raise awareness, promote cooperation, enhance human resource capacity, promote an enabling environment, and tackle creative economy challenges.”

Sne Mdiya

A scene in Pass Over

endless cycle of struggle for survival. “The police are out here doing what they do, killing Niggers,” he says. Kitch is optimistic, a playful character seeing the good in everything. Moses accuses him of being a Plantation Nigger with an appeasing tendency to ‘stay where he belongs’. But it’s human nature to nurture hope, and Moses can’t help yearning for that Promised Land. “We’re going to get off this plantation,” he says. The tone changes when a third character arrives, a white man (Charlie Bouguenon). He is polite and solicitous, generous with his food and concerned for their well-being; until suddenly racism cracks through the veneer, and his concern is revealed to be fake tolerance; a white supremacist, of course. This is excellent casting, with Bouguenon’s stage presence implying an

Pic: Jody Christopherson

assumed superiority. He also doubles up as a policeman, openly hostile and trigger happy. That’s when an I can’t breathe moment reminds that Pass Over captures the reality of life for many black men, not only in America, and isn’t a work of fiction at all. The play is in the main John Kani theatre, with the large auditorium redesigned to create more intimate seating around a rectangular stage. Director James Ngcobo has not tried to recreate a street scene, leaving imaginations to fill in the picture around a lamppost on an otherwise empty platform. The music by Kabomo Vilakazi enhances the mood, with different styles varying around the key themes he identified of brotherhood, black empowerment, white privilege, selfbelief, violence, fear, trust and trauma.

Business and Arts South Africa’s (BASA) Assembly, partnered by the British Council, a programme of hybrid engagements across social, digital and media platforms, is set to go live on 25 and 26 March 2021. Themed Creativity Now: Cultural intelligence in the time of Covid-19, BASA assembly seeks to explore the insights cultural intelligence can offer, in terms of rebooting the creative economy in South Africa, African continent and globally. BASA CEO Ashraf Johaardien says in line with 2021 declared the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development by the United Nations, Assembly aims to raise awareness, promote cooperation and networking, encourage sharing best practices and experiences, enhance human resource capacity, promote an enabling environment, and tackle challenges of the current creative economy. “Assembly is also intended as a vehicle for showcasing research into the South African creative sector with the launch of ArtsTrack Num-

Academic Johanna Mavhungu

ber 9, BASA’s biennial research project tracking consumer engagement within the arts and culture sectors,” he adds. One of the launch highlights for broadcast via Social TV on 24 March is an interview by Johaardien with Dr Andrea Rurale from Milan, Italy, on the social impact of the arts, the degree to which the creative sector and cultural institutions have, or have not, been agile, responsive or resilient, in terms of Covid-19 challenges, and the future of the creative economy. Thought-leader talks include presentations by academic Johanna Mavhungu at 10:00 on 25 March; BASA’s head of research Madeleine Lambert at 19:00, and also on 25 March; and producer Lee-Ann van Rooi at 10:00 on 26 March. For the full programme, follow @ BusinessArtsSA on Facebook, @ basa_news on Twitter and @bizart_ za on IG, or visit https://basa.co.za.

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Bafana ready for AFCON qualifiers The teams have two games to play before completing their programme, and two from each group proceed to the finals in Cameroon early next year. Sports Reporter

afana Bafana are ready for the two last AFCON qualifiers against Ghana at home and Sudan away. Coach Molefi Ntseki recently announced the squad to face the Black Stars of Ghana on 25 March at FNB Stadium, before the final match against Sudan in Khartoum. Bafana are in Group C with Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe and Sudan. Ghana lead the group with nine points, the same as Bafana, but top the standings after beating Bafana 2-0 in a previous encounter. Sudan are third with six points, while Sao Tome have no point. The teams have two games to play before completing their programme, and two from each group

proceed to the finals in Cameroon early next year. Ntseki said the squad has a mandate to take South Africa to Cameroon next year. “We are looking for results in these two matches, we need to qualify and everyone is aware of that mandate,” he said. Ntseki kept seasoned goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Itumeleng Khune, and added AmaZulu’s Veli Mothwa. Thibang Phete of OS Belenenses SAD in Portugal returns together with Siyanda Xulu of Haope Tel Aviv and Craig Martin of Cape Town City. Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, Mosa Lebusa, Innocent Maela, Sfiso Hlanti and Thapelo Morena complete the defence. Sundowns’ Rivaldo Coetzee also returns to the

line-up in midfield. Themba Zwane, Thulani Serero, Ben Motshwari, Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly, Percy Tau, Sipho Mbule, Andile Jali, Luther Singh and Dean Furman comprise a solid midfield set-up. Strikers Kermit Erasmus, Bradley Grobler, Ruzaigh Gamildien and Vitoria Guimaraes of Portugal’s Lyle Foster complete the squad. The Squad Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs); Ronwen Williams (Supersport Utd); Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC) Defenders:Thibang Phete (OS Belenenses SAD, Portugal); Siyanda Xulu (Haopel Tel Aviv, Israel); Thulani Hlatshwayo (Orlando Pirates); Musa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns); Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates); Sfiso Hlanti (Swal-

lows); Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns); Craig Martin (Cape Town City) Midfielders: Rivaldo Coetzee (Mamelodi Sundowns); Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns); Thulani Serero (Al Jazira, Abu Dhabi); Ben Motshwari (Orlando Pirates); Bongani Zungu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Keagan Dolly (Montpellier FC, France); Percy Tau (Brighton and Hove Albion, England); Sipho Mbule (Supersport United); Andile Jali (Mamelodi Sundowns); Luther Singh (Paços de Ferreira, Portugal); Dean Furman (Carlisle United, England) Strikers: Kermit Erasmus (Mamelodi Sundowns); Bradley Grobler (Supersport United); Ruzaigh Gamildien (Swallows); Lyle Foster (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal)

Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki