Inner City Gazette by Inner City Gazette

ee r F

p Co

Est 2009 Tel : 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette

Fax: 086 609 8601

Issue 36 - 2019

Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za @ICG_Sales

12 - 19 September 2019

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.com

072 824 3014

Inner City Gazette

Distributed free to households, churches, schools, clinics, government departments, police stations, libraries and businesses in Bellevue • Berea • Bertrams • Braamfontein • City and Suburban • City West • Crown Gardens • Doornfontein • Fairview • Fordsburg • Hillbrow • Jeppestown • Jules • Johannesburg Inner City • Kensington • Lorentzville • Malvern • Marshallstown • New Doornfontein • Newtown • North Doornfontein • Park Meadows • Rosettenville • Selby • Troyeville • Turffontein • Village Main and Yeoville

Digitisation poses economic risks “There may be demand for an additional 1.7 million employees with higher education by 2030. Unless South Africa’s graduate conversion rate improves, much of that demand will go unmet, resulting in a serious skills shortfall across the economy.”

Nomfanelo Magwentshu

Johannesburg - A new report by McKinsey & Company shows that technology-related gains could triple South Africa’s productivity growth, more than double growth in per-capita income, and add to its real GDP growth rate over the next decade. However, the report shows that digitisation and automation will also result in significant displacement of jobs, especially in the manufacturing and retail sectors. A McKinsey & Company’s partner in the Johannesburg office Nomfanelo Magwentshu said they expect an increase in the number and quality of jobs with a net gain of up to 1.2 million across various sectors by 2030. “These gains are likely to come about as a result of productivity improvements, strategic infrastructure development and the evolution of technology. And by leveraging these technology in-

vestments to improve productivity and innovation, South Africa has the opportunity to increase its competitiveness in key sectors and reignite growth,” Magwentshu said. McKinsey’s researchers analysed scenarios for the pace at which automation could affect job losses and offset this against the labour demand created by seven catalysts, including infrastructure investment and energy transitions and efficiency. While the gains could be massive, they also imply significant workforce transitions. “Against the 4.5 million potential new jobs created, we estimate that these technologies could displace 3.3 million existing jobs by 2030. Our analysis of work activities indicated that there are few job types that are 100 percent automatable. For example, in data-processing roles such as

payroll officers and transaction processors, 72 percent of activities are potentially automatable.” Jobs in these roles will, therefore, not be completely replaced, but they might decline in number as fewer people are required to perform the same roles, the researchers said. The research shows that in sectors such as manufacturing and retail, the jobs lost are likely to outnumber the jobs gained. “In a worst-case scenario, those job losses would come on top of about 900 000 through unemployment momentum, in other words, the continued increase in unemployment if current trends in population growth and employment levels continue. We should also emphasise that the new, technology-enabled jobs will require higher skills levels than most of the jobs displaced,” the researchers said.

As a result, while automation will cause the demand for employees without matric to fall substantially, it will increase the demand for graduates, the researchers said. “There may be demand for an additional 1.7 million employees with higher education by 2030. Unless South Africa’s graduate conversion rate improves, much of that demand will go unmet, resulting in a serious skills shortfall across the economy.” Mckinsey said these numbers also pose big challenges for South African decision-makers. “If workforce displacement from automation is not managed effectively, and the graduate conversion rate is not improved, the result could be a significant increase in overall unemployment. That, in turn, would reduce tax revenues and increase spending on social support. Businesses

Inner-city Gazette

News

For further information contact Boston on 011 551 2000 Email: info@boston.co.za Visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook

Trends 1. Learning with mobility Learning anyplace and anytime is the new buzz phrase at Boston, inspired by the needs of employed learners as well as learners with geographical mobility concerns. Online learning saves time - which can be used more productively in the home or in the workplace, - by reducing daily travel. It also saves travel costs. It also allows learners to learn at their own pace. 2. Technology based training - learning when you are in control of the lecturer. This means that you stop and start as you process new concepts. It gives you time to properly understand the concepts, preventing huge gaps in skills and knowledge that can occur when a lecturer moves on before the whole class has understood. The importance of this control should not be underestimated, and this control is what has improved the academic success of Boston graduates. 3. Institutions maintaining a relationship with corporate and industry. “There is rising crescendo

in education

about whether the education curriculum has been reformed enough to make graduates employable. A purely academic qualification is no longer particularly relevant to someone who, for instance, wants to become an entrepreneur”. (IAfrica. com). Boston continually liaises with industry to make sure graduates meet skills demands, and reacts positively to feedback from companies by way of adapting curriculums where necessary. WIL (Workplace learning) is a module included in qualifications where earners have to seek and perform specified duties in a workplace giving them real time workplace experience. 4. Opening the pathways for private providers: it has been established and played out on a public platform that public universities simply cannot meet the educational demands of industry or of the learners. Private universities such as Boston adapt teaching methodology, curriculum and fee payments and even day-to-day personal

contact to ensure their learners’ needs are met. They therefore have a vastly higher throughput rate. 5. The concept of Lifelong learning used to apply to IT. It now applies to every industry and every profession. An ever-changing economy and diverse workplace both culturally as well as skills based creates the need for people to continually upgrade their skills in order to improve promotion potential as well as to simply remain relevant in the workplace. 6. Employers are in the position to demand greater competence Universities have to include soft skills such as time management as well as excellent ICT skills, no matter the trade or profession. Learners must broaden their skills base, and if the skills are not included in their qualifications they must seek them elsewhere as add-ons such as through Boston Connect. Vocational skills are increasingly being valued over and above theoretical qualifications.

12 - 19 September 2019

‘There are positive indicators that we should have a local office in South Africa. South Africa is our number two market after the UAE in the whole Middle East and Africa region’

Zoho’s Hyther Nizam

Software giant eyes SA expansion Duncan Mcleod Zoho Corporation, a Chennai, India-based developer of a wide spectrum of software-as-a-service business applications, is eyeing significant expansion in Africa, and South Africa specifically, and may soon open a local office to support this growth. Zoho Corporation’s president for the Middle East and Africa, Hyther Nizam said the company has seen its strongest growth worldwide from Africa, with 50% of its revenue from the continent coming from South Africa, followed by Nigeria and Kenya. Founded by CEO Sridhar Vembu as a developer of office productivity software, Zoho has since broadened its focus to a wide range of software for businesses, from customer relationship management to accounting and project management. It is privately held, has been entirely self-funded, has no intention of listing and does not disclose its financial results. Forbes magazine estimated in October 2018 that Sridhar Vembu had a net worth of US$1.6-billion.

The company employs 7 000 people, mostly software engineers and developers. It has nine offices worldwide, including India, the US, Netherlands, Australia, China, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. The African region is managed from Dubai. It has 45 million registered users of Zoho products and has more than 45 apps in its flagship Zoho One suite of cloud software, says Nizam. “There are positive indicators that we should have a local office in South Africa. South Africa is our number two market after the UAE in the whole Middle East and Africa region,” Nizam says. This year, Zoho has added two data centres to its portfolio, both in India. Data centres will soon be built in Singapore and the Middle East and Africa. It’s possible that the latter could be situated in Johannesburg, but Nizam emphasises that no decisions have yet been made. “Johannesburg is a strong contender for the Middle East and Africa data centre, but we don’t want to commit yet.” NewsCentral Media

12 - 19 September 2019

Inner-city Gazette

News

Students protest against gender based violence

The demand to remove perpetrators of violence against women from the university campus was met with loud applause from the crowd. Zoë Postman On Monday, hundreds of students dressed in black and purple marched through Wits University campus demanding that the administration act against violence against women and make the campus safe for women and queer people. The march followed a week of marches in Cape Town and other cities. The outcry was sparked by the rape and murder of 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana, a film and media student at the University of Cape Town. The memorandum, read out by outgoing SRC President Sisanda Mbolekwa, demanded that the university increase security visibility, have increased lighting on campus, make safety kits available at Wits clinic, give self defence equipment like pepper spray to students every month and offer free self defence classes to students.

It said the university should have a victim-centred approach in gender-based violence cases and that rape cases should be prioritised. The demand to remove perpetrators of violence against women from the university campus was met with loud applause from the crowd. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, the Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University (NMU), also attended the march. She commended the students. “There is a need to render our country a safe space for all women and vulnerable people. We are proud of the position students have taken and we stand with you. It is important for people to start thinking about sustainable ways to address genderbased violence beyond the march, so that we don’t end up raising the same issues years later,” she said. Mbolekwa said it was important for Wits students to stand up against

The protesters display their placards at Wits University

gender-based violence happening across the country because students were members of society before they were students. “This university campus is a microcosm of society, so what happens out there happens here. We have these pests in our community as well,” she said. Black Women Caucus chairperson and founder Keitumetsi Moutloatse said: “We are convening because there is a serious crisis in this country: the crisis of women and children being killed. Something needs to change.” She said femicide and gender-

based violence was not new to Wits. “In fact some of us have been taught by these perpetrators. We are coming to hold institutions of power accountable. It can’t be business as usual. I can’t save my academic year if I cannot save myself. I cannot save my academic year if I cannot guarantee that I won’t be raped by the end of this year,” she said. She said there were multiple protests on violence against women happening across the country and they would not stop unless there was a fundamental change. She urged people to shut down

Pic: Zoë Postman

Gauteng, specifically Sandton, on Friday. “Our president has said that there is no money to fund the fight against gender-based violence, so we will go to Sandton and show him where the money for that is,” Moutloatse said. She added that the issue of genderbased violence was a social crisis and everyone was responsible for fighting against it. Carol Crosley, Wits University’s registrar, accepted the memorandum and promised to take it to the institution’s management.

Inner-city Gazette

News

12 - 19 September 2019

The remains of the motorbike soon after the accident

Dad and son killed in bus crash The suspects lie handcuffed on the road soon after they were arrested.

Pic: SAPS

Gunmen nabbed ‘en route to cash heist’ Ridgeway - Twelve armed men were intercepted on Wednesday allegedly on their way to carry out a cash-in-transit robbery in Soweto. National police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said an integrated multi-disciplinary law enforcement team intercepted the alleged robbers on the N12 Sowetobound near the Xavier off-ramp. “The suspects were travelling in

three sedans and they were found in possession of six handguns,” he added. Naidoo said the suspects were nabbed during an operation by the police flying squad, the Hawks and metro police who responded to a tip-off. “The vehicles as well as the firearms will be analysed to determine if they are stolen or were used in the

commission of other crimes,” said Naidoo. The suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit a robbery and possession of unlicensed arms and ammunition, Naidoo said. National police commissioner Gen Khehla John Sitole said: “Crime intelligence as well as the multi-disciplinary team must be applauded for this outstanding work.”

Parktown - On Tuesday a father and his son riding a motorbike died after colliding with a Rea Vaya bus on Empire Road in Parktown. JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the accident, in which the father and his 10-year-old son died, happened at the intersection of Empire and Joubert roads. The bus‚ with broken windows and damaged front‚ was parked on the paving at the petrol station. The child attended a school for autism, situated near the scene. Two of his teachers broke into tears when they saw his body. “This is one of our children. His father brings him on the motorbike every morning. He has been at the school for over a year now,” the teacher said. Hillbrow police spokesperson Cap-

tain Musa Shihambe said the initial report stated that the Rea Vaya bus drove through a red traffic light and crashed onto the motorcycle, which was dragged under the bus for several metres. Shihambe added that the driver had been taken in for questioning, while drivers of two other vehicles the bus also ploughed into were taken to Milpark and Hillbrow hospitals. Shihambe said as police they have taken serious issue with the recklessness of the Rea Vaya bus drivers. “They are like the taxi drivers. I think they must be taken for another driving test because every driver on the road is complaining about them. They drive very fast, they don’t even care and when you talk to them they are so arrogant,” Shihambe said.

12 - 19 September 2019

Inner-city Gazette

Public urged to report

News

phone tower battery theft

A screen grab from the video in which the officer spreads fake news

Fake news cop suspended Germiston - The Ekurhuleni metro police officer who recently shared a misleading message calling for parents to urgently fetch their children from schools has been suspended. The video of the officer was shared on social media platforms causing panic among parents. In the video, she alleged that Pakistani nationals were abducting children from schools; also telling parents that she was at her child’s school to fetch her own child. The message caused havoc for the Gauteng Department of Education

as people panicked and rushed to schools to fetch their children. A total of 13 schools were shut down due to the rumours which included that some of the schools had been set alight. Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina said: “We met with the chief of police and a decision has been taken to immediately suspend the officer. The decision has been made by the Chief of Police investigation to suspend the officer with immediate effect because she actually has plunged the city into crisis.”

Johannesburg - Telecommunications company MTN says theft of batteries from its cellphone towers costs millions to replace, and also causes disruptions to its network provision. The company has asked the public to report theft or vandalism at its towers. In a recent statement MTN spokesperson Mthokozisi Ndlovu said about 20 batteries which had been stolen, were recovered. “Criminal syndicates have been targeting our towers over the recent months, stealing batteries worth millions of rand,” Ndlovu said. MTN South Africa general manager for network operations Ernest Paul said the vandalising of equipment has caused disruptions.

One security guard was shot and killed. The suspects made off and a chase ensued. Police patrolling the area were able to catch up with the suspects in Turffontein, and they were cornered at a house at Berta Street. Six suspects were arrested, and five unlicensed firearms, three rifles, including two AK-47s and two pistols were recovered,” Makhubele said. The owner of the house was also arrested, bringing the total number of arrests to six. Police urged the community to continue reporting crime by using the Crime Stop telephone number 086 001 0111.

MTN manager Ernest Paul

Protea Coin through 086 101 1721; MTN fraud line 083 123 7867 or email anonymous@tip-offs.com. For Telkom they can call 0800 124 000; Vodacom, 0800 990 520; and for Cell C call 084 174 4321.

World of Beer closes

Newtown - The South African Breweries (SAB) World of Beer, situated in Newtown district will close its doors on 30 September. The facility will be operated by a new tenant who will offer a new business in the Newtown district. In a statement SAB said the World of Beer was established in 1994 to showcase beer’s heritage and SAB’s brands as well as to educate the public on the history of beer production

AK-47 gunmen kill security guard Fordsburg - Armed robbers recently shot and killed a security at Dragon City mall in Fordsburg in a failed armed robbery attempt, according to police. Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said the suspects’ getaway vehicle had been reported hijacked in Johannesburg earlier this month. Makhubele said the guard was responding to a robbery after a woman is said to have screamed when five men accosted her, calling for the guard to assist. “When security guards responded towards the screaming they were shot at.

“Sophisticated criminal syndicates have an impact financially, and to the industry as a whole,” he said. He added that battery theft and vandalism cost MTN hundreds of millions of rand and the impact is exorbitant, considering that as many as four to 16 batteries need to be replaced at each site. “To replace batteries at 100 sites, for instance, would cost over R10 million and more millions would be required to cover the costs of fixing the damage,” Paul said. A call has been made to the public to blow the whistle on those involved in the theft of the cellphone tower batteries. He urged the public to report cellphone tower battery theft to Bidvest

and the beer making process. “As consumer trends evolve, SAB is considering alternative opportunities for visitors to South Africa to continue experiencing beer’s rich heritage and SAB’s quality product,” the statement said. SAB vice-president, corporate affairs and sustainability Zoleka Lisa said: “Supporting and building a beer culture in SA by working with the industry remains a priority for us.”

Zoleka Lisa

Inner-city Gazette

12 - 19 September 2019

Inner-city Gazette

The Arts

First symphonic circus in Joburg Journey Beyond artfully blends mesmerising choreographed circus acts with orchestral masterpiec-

es; this symphonic circus will captivate, thrill and transcend audiences beyond their imagination. Bridget van Oerle and Sneziwe Dube Journey Beyond is an extraordinary artistic collaboration between Zip Zap Circus and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra. After two successful runs in Cape Town in 2017 and 2018, Journey Beyond will be performed for the first time at the Joburg Theatre this Heritage month. Journey Beyond artfully blends mesmerising choreographed circus acts with orchestral masterpieces, amplified by soloist Zolani Mahola. This symphonic circus will captivate, thrill and transcend audiences beyond their imagination. Zip Zap Circus School began their journey in 1992, inspired by a daring dream to use circus performing art as a tool for social transformation, youth empowerment and community upliftment. Today, they perform 65 shows nationally every year, have undertaken 30 world tours, gained local and global recognition and impact 2000 youth each year through

their free social programmes. Many of their students have joined the world stage as professional performers. The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra is a full symphonic orchestra comprising entirely children playing stringed, wind and percussion instruments. Established in 1976, they are acclaimed throughout the city and further afield, providing training and performance opportunities for over 600 young people. Several young musicians who graduated from this project now work with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. These are ordinary children who through sheer determination and hours of hard work have augmented enormous talent. What makes this partnership more remarkable is that the different elements of the production will rehearse independently at their home bases. The directors then have just two days in Johannesburg to bring the unique elements of the show together and create a spectacular event.

Audiences can expect to be taken on a mesmerising musical and visual journey that pushes boundaries and reaches a crescendo of classical entertainment. A talented group of circus dare devils will jump, fly and soar effortlessly through the air in gravity-defying aerials and extraordinary acrobatics. The captivating beauty of these daring acts will be performed in concert with stirring symphonic performances and the hypnotic voices of Zolani Mahola and soprano, Zita Pretorius. This is what one can expect at Journey Beyond. “This is an authentic celebration of our country’s talented youth and cultural diversity. Witnessing this world-class talent on one stage will reinforce your pride in being South African. Journey Beyond will amaze and delight the entire family,” says Brent van Rensburg, co-founder and artistic director at Zip Zap. The performance will be at the Joburg Theatre on 20, 21 and 22 September. For more visit the Joburg Theatre website.

Soloist Zolani Mahola

SAST denounces xenophobia and gender - based violence The events re-opened a cultural opportunity for us to learn from one another, regardless of one’s geographical origin; which is what Ubuntu teaches us Thakgatso Setseta

T A scene in the production

Pic: Arthur Molepo

Production faces prejudice towards people with Albinism The script is based on interviews with real people with Albinism; the production gives the story heart, intensity, depth and direction. Lusanda Zokufa

here are many myths that have caused the killing of people living with albinism in South Africa, but also broadly in Africa. The Market Theatre in partnership with Molepo Theatre Projects presents Mama, I want the Black that you are, a production written and directed by Arthur Molepo, focusing on the prejudices that affect the lives of people dealing with Albinism. The script is based on interviews with real people with Albinism. The production gives the story heart, intensity, depth and direction. Matlakala, the central character, is a 15-yearold teenager with Albinism. Her mother Anna is a caring woman and is married to Ike. He is

a successful professional and the stepfather of our heroine. Two other characters, also with Albinism, appear as Matlakala’s alter-egos. They represent the conflict in Matlakala’s head. She is haunted by a life of abuse and the secrets she has had to keep from everyone, including her mother. Myths and beliefs pepper the production, drawing attention to the challenges that people living with Albinism and their families have to face. Mama I want the black that you are will premiere at the Market Theatre from 18 - 22 September, starring Puleng Molebatsi, Anneline Mathiba, Lesego Prisca Motswatswa, Alistair Dube and Boitumelo Mathiba. It is a compelling tale of a family with a dark past.

he South African State Theatre (SAST) joins South Africans and Africans in denouncing the recent spate of xenophobic attacks that have had the continent divided. In a statement Africa’s largest theatre complex said: “We are established on a mandate to reinforce social cohesion. We therefore express great disdain to these attacks on our sisters and brothers from the African continent and other parts of the world, and we add our voice in our people’s call for unity in diversity. One Africa is possible.” The State Theatre takes pride in its philosophical mandate of immersing itself as Africa’s leading Pan African performing arts institution, the statement said. “This is reflective in our artistic program-

ming which invites contributions from the rest of Africa. In March this year, the State Theatre was home to a large-scale Nigerian musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, performed by an all-Nigerian cast with a few South Africans. Also, the newly-launched dance festival, Dance Umbrella Africa hosted in April featured artists hailing from African countries such as Mali, Senegal and Malawi. These events brought not only art lovers and artists together for a world class artistic experience, they also re-opened a cultural opportunity for us to learn from one another, regardless of one’s geographical origin; which is what Ubuntu teaches us,” the SAST statement said. The South African State Theatre remains committed to the attainment of the African Union’s Vision 2063, it added.

112 Kerk Street & Mooi, 7th Floor Executive House, Jhb CBD, Close to MTN Rank)

Health Caregivers Course (Homebased Care) Child Minding Course HWSETA Accredited

Entry Level Requirements: Grade 9 - 12 or equivalent

Semenya ventures into soccer She will only play league matches next year because the window to sign new players for this season is closed Johannesburg - Two-time Olympic 800-metre champion Caster Semenya has signed for a soccer club, and may be considering giving up track and field. Semenya, currently in a legal battle with the IAAF over her right to compete without taking testosterone-suppressing medication, said she has joined women’s club JVW Football Club, which is owned by Banyana captain Janine Van Wyk. The club said Semenya began training with the team but will only play league matches next year because the window to sign new players for this season is closed. Next year’s Tokyo Olympics are in July and August, when the women’s soccer season will be in full swing. Semenya did not directly say if she was retiring from track and field. Janine van Wyk said: “I am honoured that out of all women’s clubs around the world she chose JVW as the club she would like to start

showcasing her football skills.” Semenya is barred from defending her 800 title at this month’s world championships after refusing to follow IAAF rules requiring her to reduce her natural testosterone to compete. She is appealing against those rules at the Swiss Supreme Court but faced a setback in July when the court provisionally upheld the rules, ending her bid to defend her title in Doha, Qatar. The Swiss Supreme Court has not announced a final verdict in Semenya’s appeal but she appears to be thinking about life after track. Semenya, 28, is one of female athletes with conditions known as differences in sex development, which result in male and female biological characteristics. She was legally identified as female at birth and has identified as female her whole life but was born with the male XY chromosome

Caster Semenya and Janine van Wyk display the club shirt.

pattern, with testosterone levels higher than the typical female range. The IAAF says that testosterone gives her an unfair athletic advantage over other female runners and must medically reduce it to be allowed to compete. The IAAF has

argued that athletes with her condition are ‘biologically male’. Semenya is fighting for the testosterone regulations to be thrown out but lost her case at the Swiss-Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this year, prompting her to appeal to Switzerland’s Supreme Court.