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Grade R -11 Metropolitan College 170 Pritchard Street Tel – 011 402 9502

Est 2009 Issue 20 - 2021

Tel : 011 616 1523 Inner-City Gazette

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

12 - 26 August 2021

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.co.za 072 824 3014

Inner City Gazette

Campaign to encourage

women to focus on success

“Each workshop is tailored differently throughout August and aims to provide women with practical tools, advice and solutions to help get them onto the next step on their journey to success.”

Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa

Johannesburg - Financial services group Momentum has launched its third event of the annual #SheOwnsHerSuccess campaign that encourages women to focus on financial success.

In a statement the company said this year’s Women’s Month theme seeks to encourage women to persist on their journey towards financial success, by overcoming barriers that hold them from realising their potential.

“Following the launch of the first #SheOwnsHerSuccess campaign in 2019, which inspired women to be unapologetic about their success, the theme in 2020 sought to inspire them to identify and break through barriers, while encouraging them to take others with them. This year the campaign aims to celebrate the strides and achievements that women continue to make, despite exist-

ing socioeconomic, psychological and cultural barriers. It seeks to empower women to rise with practical tools that empower and remind them that their success is unstoppable,” the company said.

It added that despite headways women have made in the workplace, gender disparities persist.

“More than one-third of South African households are headed by women, and these are approximately 40% poorer than those headed by men, with women earning up to 30% less than their male counterparts. These are fundamental gaps we need to address through every aspect of society, including the financial sector, and with the support of men,” it said.

The campaign started on 1 August and runs throughout the month, promising a line-up of workshops and panel discussions geared to-

ward equipping women with relevant skills.

“These skills include engaging in personal branding exercises, learning how to negotiate the pay that you are worth, overcoming imposter syndrome in the workplace; leaning on support structures to manage burnout and partnering and managing money to leave the financial legacy that your loved ones deserve,” the company said.

Momentum brand marketing head Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa says the challenges faced by women are not unique to South Africa.

“This may be disheartening, but every day women are choosing to partner with individuals, networks and movements to empower them to make previously unimaginable strides on the quest to defining their career and personal success stories,” Nsubuga-Mukasa says.

She adds that the campaign will include virtual workshop series with Success speaker, New York Times best-selling author, podcast host and professional troublemaker, Luvvie Ajayi - Jones.

“Each workshop is tailored differently throughout August and aims to provide women with practical tools, advice and solutions to help get them onto the next step on their journey to success. Momentum also seeks to further this campaign beyond Women’s Month because a women’s momentum doesn’t end after August. The journey is just the beginning.”

The company encourages women to keep their success in motion by sharpening their focus and refining business skills and passions all year round with the #SheOwnsHerSuccess online hub, with the advice, tools, and continuous updates.

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Inner-city Gazette

News

12 - 26 August 2021

Cyber crooks get more sophisticated Tech Reporter

Winning

work-from-home strategies

The Covid19 pandemic has changed our working environment drastically. Companies had to reevaluate working processes, and prioritise the safety and well-being of their employees. Working from home has become a norm for some businesses.

Says Natalie Rabson of Boston City Campus, “We each face unique challenges, not only because of our different personalities, but also due to our various lifestyles and the type of work we do. This is important for employers to keep in mind when devising strategies of how to create a fully functioning and productive work- from- home team.”

These changes have come with pros and cons. It has not been a smooth transition for some, while others have adapted easily to this ‘new normal’. The circumstances of the employees differ and that has determined how they have adapted to working remotely.

Natalie says that the Boston students adapted almost seamlessly to the move to on-line, perhaps because learners are by nature a group immersed in digital communication and relationships, and so we should take notes and learn from them!

Some employees have struggled with juggling work in their homes because they have children, pets, lodgers, or their spaces are not conducive to serve as home offices; while others have adapted well and are excelling in their duties due to less distractions such as travel time, constant tea breaks and office politics.

Home Offices require a lot of discipline.

Fortunately, the following strategies can help you stay motivated when you work from home: · Maintain regular hours; create a schedule filling your work day,

Some employees have struggled with juggling work in their homes because they have children, pets, lodgers, or spaces are not conducive to serve as offices

· Schedule breaks and take them in full. · Establish a dedicated workspace and · Limit distractions and interruptions - Set ground rules with those in your ‘workspace’ or ‘home’, · Try and leave home once a day for a walk, or a drive.

Companies must also ensure that they engage and monitor the output of their employees. Targets must be met, and services must be rendered using key performance indicators (KPI’s) to measure performance in a fair way.

Here are some tips to effectively manage remote employees: · Set immediate and clear expectations, in writing. Do this for each task. · Engage as often as possible, · Schedule regular team meetings, · Be transparent, · Use technology to overcome geographic boundaries.

Empower your employees. Working from home makes it more difficult to reach decision makers. Em-

ployees need to be able to do their jobs well, that may mean empowering them with more decision making than when in the office, in order to get the job done.

This may include for example sourcing three quotes, but then letting the employee place the order and sign for it instead of seeking further signed approval.

Essentially, work-from-home strategies have to be based on trust.

There are no ‘eyeballs’ on the workfrom-home employee. Thus, the employee must be dedicated and committed to what they are being paid to do, and the employers must create a working digital environment based on trust.

This can be a win-win situation if both employers and employees display mutual trust and respect, and work together in reaching the companies’ goals and mission.

Boston City Campus offers accredited degrees, diplomas and higher certificates online.

Visit www.boston.co.za

mercially-available Remcos RAT and HP Inc’s Threat Inaccess infected sights Report notes computers. increased sophisSenior malware tication of cyberanalyst at HP Inc, crime, including Alex Holland says 65% rise in the use cybercrime continof hacking tools ues to transform, downloaded from with petty cyberunderground focriminals connectrums and file sharing with bigger ing websites. players and downThe report says loading advanced cybercrime is more tools that can byorganised than ever, pass defences and with underground breach systems. forums providing a “Malware strains platform for threat like CryptBot preactors to collaboviously would have Global head of security Dr Ian Pratt rate and share attack been a danger to techniques. users who use their PCs to store crypto Global head of security at HP Inc, Dr currency wallets, but now they also Ian Pratt says pirated hacking tools and pose a threat to businesses,” Holland underground forums are allowing pre- says. viously low-level actors to pose serious Other key findings include that 75% risks to enterprise security. of malware detected was delivered via “Users continue to fall prey to simple email, while 25% were web downloads. phishing attacks. Security solutions that Threats downloaded using web browsarm IT departments to stay ahead of fu- ers rose by 24%, partially driven by ture threats are key to maximizing busi- users downloading hacking tools and ness protection and resilience,” he adds. crypto currency mining software.

Threats isolated by HP Wolf Security The most common email phishing included that Dridex affiliates are sell- lures were invoices and business transing access to breached organizations to actions, 49%, while 15% were replies other threat actors, so they can distrib- to intercepted email threads. Phishing ute ransomware. The drop in Emotet lures mentioning Covid-19 made up activity has led to Dridex becoming less than 1%, dropping by 77%. the top malware family isolated by HP The most common malicious attachWolf Security. ments were archive files, 29%, spreadCryptBot malware, historically used to sheets, 23%, documents 19%, and exsteal credentials from crypto-currency ecutable files 19%. wallets and web browsers, is being used Unusual archive file types such as Java to deliver DanaBot, a banking Trojan Archive files (JAR) are being used to operated by organised crime groups. avoid detection and scanning tools, and A multi-stage Visual Basic Script install malware that is easily obtained in (VBS) campaign is sharing malicious underground marketplaces.

ZIP attachments named after the execuHolland says cybercriminals are bytive it is targeting. It deploys a stealthy passing detection tools by simply VBS downloader before using legiti- tweaking their techniques. mate SysAdmin tools to persist on de“We saw a surge in malware distribvices and deliver malware. uted via uncommon file types like JAR, A résumé-themed malicious spam likely to reduce chances of detection by campaign targeted companies in Chile, anti-malware scanners. The old phishJapan, UK, Pakistan, US, Italy and the ing tricks, transaction-themed lures Philippines, exploiting a Microsoft Of- convince users to click on malicious fice vulnerability to deploy the com- links and web pages,” Holland adds.

12 - 26 August 2021

Inner-city Gazette

Women call for peace

service delivery,” Kgomo said.

Acting Gauteng High Court judge and deputy president of Lady of Peace Community Foundation, Nthabiseng Kwinana said women must mobilize to effect the change they want to see in their communities.

“We need to sit around the peace table as equals. Each must bring their expertise and skills, we must collaborate. We need structures to ensure that what is taught filters through to the next generation,” said Kwinana.

Young panelist Celeste Diale, who is a PeacePod director, brand architect, concept developer and peace builder; encouraged her peers to find innovative solutions to challenges in their communities. She said the advent of Covid-19 spurred her organisation into action, allowing it to connect with those who are hurting; establishing a WhatsApp chat room to connect with those who need help.

“From the chat room, we have expanded to the grassroots to connect with communities, listening to their needs and becoming part of the communities. We have also come up with a peace podcast to connect with young people and start peace conversations. We are asking young people to join the podcast to learn, communicate and have solution based conversations,” Diale said.

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“We need young men to know they need to stand up for women. We need to ask men to do introspection and ask questions about what we’ve been taught and narrative from bathroom conversations.”

talks in looting aftermath Johannesburg - During a virtual dialogue Joburg women demanded peace talks in the aftermath of the recent violence and looting.

The virtual dialogue called the Women’s Peace Table Towards Renewing and Uniting South Africa, was hosted by Joburg Speaker of Council Nonceba Molwele last Thursday.

Molwele said: “August is the month in which we commemorate iconic South African women who fought against apartheid. They include Helen Joseph, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, Charlotte Maxeke to name but a few. Women’s month is the time we empower, honour and celebrate the beauty and strength of our women,” she said.

Molwele added that it is important to reflect on the impact of the recent violence in the country on the society and economy.

Caron Kgomo said Johannesburg was also affected badly by the July looting, in which 200 malls were targeted throughout the country.

“The clinics and pharmacies in malls were also destroyed, which exacerbated access to health care.

The recent looting had a devastating impact on our society and economy, resulting in increased unemployment and also negatively affected

News

Council Speaker Nonceba Molwele

Larry Cooke said men must challenge stereotypes about women and change negative narratives.

“We need young men to know they need to stand up for women. We need to ask men to do introspection and ask questions about what we’ve been taught and narrative from bathroom conversations,” he said.

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News

Inner-city Gazette

12 - 26 August 2021

Crooks target streetlight infrastructure “The city will intensify operations to raid scrapyards who receive vandalised materials, including from streetlights.”

City Power’s Isaac Mangena

Johannesburg - Scrap metal hunters have been accused of stealing streetlight pole covers and other electricity infrastructure in Joburg and Ekurhuleni, plunging the areas into frequent darkness.

Armed with angle grinders and saws, gangs of scrap metal hunters allegedly harvest streetlights, suburb by suburb and block by block.

It is the light casings, photocells,

cables and bulbs they are after.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said this crime increased recently.

“Most of the streetlights around the city are vandalised, actually they have been cut off, mowed down by criminals for whatever reason,” he said.

Mangena added that the city is investing in technology that will safe-

guard its infrastructure, and appeals to residents to assist in protecting these assets.

“The city will intensify operations to raid scrapyards who receive vandalised materials, including from streetlights,” he added.

City of Ekurhuleni’s Zweli Dlamini said they face the same problem of criminals targeting the system.

“Criminals steal streetlight cables

and aerial bundle conductors to sell as scrap or use it for doing illegal connections. Streetlight pole covers are stolen, removed or forced open to gain access to conductors inside the poles,” he said.

Sometimes fuses, wires, and circuit breakers are not stolen but vandalised to stop the light from working, presumably to darken an area for other illegal activities.

Part of the Makwa IT academy

Youth academy delivers IT skills Johannesburg - A black youth owned ICT company, Makwa IT, aims to help close the skills gap through an incubation programme for youths.

The 12-month programme is for unemployed but determined youth with no prior ICT skills, as well as those who have formal IT education but no working experience, and are eager to pursue a career in the ICT sector. The academy has been offering global-standard practical experience and theoretical training to South African self-starters since February 2020.

So far 12 leaners have benefitted from the programme, improving their employability and creating a competitive breed of local ICT specialists.

In September 2021 the academy will begin its 2022 intake. Interested candidates can visit www.makwa-it.com in the first week of September 2021.

Makwa IT chief operations officer Fikile Mthombeni said they recognise the need to readdress youth unemployment and are determined to change the statistics.

“This is our tool to empower young black talent as well as marginalised individuals such as those with disabilities with an opportunity to attain specialised ICT training and develop-

ment opportunities, which will result in access to a secure job market,” Mthombeni said.

The programme equips with skills that range from computer networking, programmable infrastructure and cybersecurity. The goal is to plug into common IT topics designed to increase their professional knowledge.

The programme allows learners to learn about the sector, while also providing them with an opportunity to have an internship at Makwa IT for 12 months where they could become onboarded personnel within the company.

“Our goal is to expose them to technology in order to grow South Africa as a nation. While future employability is a priority, our programmes go beyond merely teaching them how to connect tech devices. We provide opportunities for learners to develop skills and gain early job experience, and discover what career options are available to them through a variety of projects,” Mthombeni says.

CEO and founder of Makwa IT, Lethabo Mokone says young minds join the already bustling team which improves the quality of services.

“The interns and learners get to enjoy the dignity and freedom that comes with being selfsufficient individuals with purpose,” he says.

Taximan opens fire at CBD robbers Johannesburg - On Monday afternoon a taxi driver fired shots at suspected robbers who attacked a motorist in the Joburg CBD. Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said the victim was driving a white Toyota Corolla when he stopped at a red traffic light.

“Four or five suspects broke the car windows and pointed firearms at him before robbing him of an undisclosed amount of money and a cellphone. The car rolled forward and bumped onto a Toyota Quan-

tum. The driver of the Quantum got out to check, only to be threatened with firearms by the suspects. He drew his licensed firearm and fired shots in the direction of the suspects, and they fled the scene,” Masondo said.

He added that the taxi driver was shot in the leg and treated at the scene.

Cases of armed robbery and attempted murder were opened.

A video of the incident has been shared on social media, where many users have hailed the taxi driver as a hero.

12 - 26 August 2021

Inner-city Gazette

5

News

Innovation awards to honour businesses “Our role is to recognise businesses that have found a way to navigate these uncharted waters in which we find ourselves.”

Media personality Thandy Matlaila

Actress keeps girls at school Precious Twala

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ctress Thandy Matlaila helps to keep girls at school through the Spar Women’s Virtual Challenge.

Matlaila, a renowned media personality with multiple accords; actress, entrepreneur, fitness enthusiast, brand ambassador and social activist; is passionate about giving back and issues involving women and the youth.

Spar recently announced her as one of their ambassadors for the Spar Women’s Challenge taking place virtually on 4 September 2021.

Her role is to encourage individuals to enter the virtual race to help Spar’s Petals Project, in partnership with various charities across the country, to donate sanitary pads that will help keep girls at school. These donations will help underprivileged girls to compete and lead a full life. Partaking in the challenge will help to remove the limitations that girls feel during menstruation.

Over the years, the challenge has brought women from all walks of life together, to make a difference in communities.

Matlaila says: “I have been running the Joburg Leg since 2013, and I am excited to help keep young women at school. It’s an honour to also represent a #LiveLimitless initiative,” she says.

Matlaila also hosts her online wellness show #WellnessOnWednesdays on her Instagram Live weekly.

This show focuses on her guest’s wellness journeys, to help viewers deal with their daily issues in life.

She covers anything from physical, family, spiritual, mental and financial wellness to mention a few. The main purpose of the show is to bring relatable content like parenting during the Covid-19 pandemic, and creating a reputable brand beyond the pandemic.

Johannesburg - The BCX Digital Innovation Awards honour SA companies, SMEs and enterprises that are innovating and changing the course of their industries and society.

The call for entries has been extended to 30 September 2021.

This year’s panel of judges for the awards comprises of innovation pioneers who include Herman Singh, CEO of Future Advisory; Irene Ochem, founder and CEO of African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF); Nomonde White-Ndlovu, chairperson of Wired4Women; Mmaki Jantjies, head of Innovation and Transformation, Telkom Group; Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen, BCX chief marketing officer and Shaheen Vawda, BCX chief sales officer.

Ntloko-Petersen says they are looking for innovators that are making substantial changes within their sectors.

“The judges are well-accomplished in their fields, and true advocates of innovation,” Ntloko-Petersen adds.

Ochem says being an entrepreneur is a difficult endeavour, but due to the current state of things, this challenge is an even bigger one.

“Our role is to recognise businesses that have found a way to navigate these uncharted waters in which we find ourselves,” she adds.

Singh feels that having a plan to achieve goals is the first step in the right direction for any business.

“I work with businesses that need help with breaking through growth barriers and reaching their maximum potential, so I look forward to

taking a closer look at the models and growth plans of the companies who have entered this year,” Singh adds.

Jantjies says: “Having to be responsible for driving the innovation and transformation agenda in my organisation, my interest will be piqued by getting an understanding of how each company handles their innovation efforts to ensure they positively impact the growth of that business.”

Organisations can enter one of two categories, the Small Medium South African Enterprise or Large South African Enterprise.

Winners will be announced at the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies Awards event in November.

For more visit https://www.bcx. co.za/digitalinnovationawards/.

Wired4Women’s Nomonde White-Ndlovu

Online university increases enrolment Johannesburg - With local enrolment having expanded from 13 students in 2015 to nearly 1 600 the University of the People (UoPeople) has announced plans to increase its reach among South African students.

UoPeople an American-accredited online university, says it is dedicated to help high school graduates overcome financial, geographic, political and personal constraints keeping them from studies. Its enrolment grew 107% in the past year to 75 392 and is set to get over 100 000 students from more than 200 countries.

In SA an estimated 1,4 million individuals completed high school but have been unable to enrol in a bachelor’s degree programme due

to limited seats or financial constraints.

Spurred on by the impact of Covid-19, international markets have seen many universities developing online programmes that some call the ‘post-pandemic future of education’.

UoPeople’s flexibility and affordability is ideal for the students who cannot afford to attend university but are above the income threshold to qualify for governmental funding. While traditional on-campus bachelor’s degrees cost about R150 000, at UoPeople it costs about R69 000.

University of Cape Town vicechancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng serves on the president’s council of UoPeople, with vice-

Child killed as gunman flees cops Johannesburg - A high-speed the vehicle police found four chase in the Joburg CBD last unlicensed firearms, including Tuesday led to the death of a an AK-47 and ammunition. It child and three people injured was established that the vehiby a Volvo driven by a man cle was hijacked in Ekurhulefleeing the police. ni earlier this month,” he said.

Police arrested the 32-yearHe added that the firearms old man and confiscated four will be sent for ballistics testfirearms, including an AK- ing to determine if they were 47 rifle. When police tried to used in violent crimes. stop him in Hillbrow he sped off, leading to a chase up to corner Admirall Solutions Polly and Pritchard streets, where he lost Garage Doors Motors control and drove into Alarm Systems a minibus.

Electric Fencing Police spokesperson Captain Kay Gate Motors Makhubele said durTV Mounting ing the chase, three Intercoms people were knocked CCTV / DSTV down by the car drivNew Installations, en by the suspect.

“One child died at Repairs & Upgrades the scene while the mother was taken to Contact 074 901 6329 hospital. The suspect admirallsystems@gmail.com tried to run away but was arrested. Inside

chancellors from the best varsities in the world.

Phakeng says: “The university is building a great model that can solve Africa’s higher education crisis, lack of seats and quality.”

Founded in 2009, UoPeople offers Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science and Education. Students can study from anywhere, on any device.

UoPeople president Shai Reshef says the university makes higher education accessible, removing barriers and empowering them to achieve.

“We are happy for students who have secured seats in local universities; however, UoPeople was created to accommodate all students, not simply the few,” Reshef says.

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng

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Inner-city Gazette

12 - 26 August 2021

12 - 26 August 2021

Inner-city Gazette

The Arts

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Market Theatre hunts for new artistic talent Lusanda Zokufa

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A scene in Cion - Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro

Pic - John Hogg

Gregory Maqoma’s Cion back on stage Bongani Maseko

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regory Maqoma’s Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro accompanied by the Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir is back on stage after it was postponed in June due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The City of Joburg’s Arts, Culture and Heritage department, in partnership with Joburg Theatre and Vuyani Dance Theatre host the show between 29 August and 5 September 2021 on the recently upgraded iconic Mandela stage.

When Gregory Maqoma created Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro, it was with a notion that grief cannot be experienced in isolation; it needs a congregation, a community, a friend and even strangers to help one get through it.

Founder and creative director of Vuyani Dance Theatre Gregory Maqoma

said: “So many of us go through grief and every day we have to face the reality that someone we fondly know, someone we call a grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, brother, sister, friend, son, daughter, neighbour, colleague or those whom we have never met in flesh but have an everlasting impact, they no longer walking the earth physically with us.”

Cion is about giving us, as a congregation, an opportunity to weep, to wail, to scream, to hope, to pray and heal together as an audience.

Joburg City Theatres CEO Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema, said: “An unprecedented global pandemic may have dampened our spirits; together with Vuyani Dance Theatre we will restore the vigour and excitement of African performance with enthusiasm our patrons are accustomed to.”

The production is a unique fusion of contemporary African dance led by Otto Nhlapo together with 20 dancers from Vuyani Dance Theatre and the harmonies of the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Vuyani Dance Theatre shares a stateof-the-art, visually stunning full-length work that brings literature to life as the piece follows author Zakes Mda’s iconic character Toloki from Ways of Dying through to Cion, where Toloki uncovers the story of the run-away slaves.

Observing strict Covid-19 protocols, Joburg Theatre has been at the forefront of creating a safe theatre experience by producing shows with limited seating and accommodating patrons from the comfort of their homes by streaming shows online, while maintaining delivery of world-class entertainment.

For more visit www.joburgtheatre.com or call phone number 0861 670 670.

he Market Theatre Laboratory invites performing arts pioneers to apply for the 2022 Theatre and Performance programme, which is open up to 30 September 2021.

The course, running from January to November each year, offers training in a laboratory environment for emerging actors, theatre-makers, directors and writers to develop to professional standards.

Facilitated by professional theatre practitioners, the programme focuses on practical experience and learning through experimentation, exchange, research and making.

The engagement reflects in awards that productions created with the Market Theatre Laboratory won in 2020.

They included the first year students’ production, Eclipsed: Phifalo Ya Ngwedi, created with the guidance of Sylvaine Strike, Gina Shmukler and Phumlani Mndebele. It won a Naledi Award in the Best Tertiary/Incubation category, while No Easter Sunday for Queers, in which the first years performed, won the Naledi Award for Best Production for Independent/ Fringe Theatre. The Art of Facing Fear, an international collaborative presented on Zoom featuring actors from nine countries, in which Kwasha performed, won Best Production and Best Ensemble at the Red Curtain Good Theatre Awards 2020.

Actor Sicelo Buthelezi Pic: Ouparazzi

A long list of alumni over several generations continues to excel in various capacities, they include stalwarts such as Warren Masemola (Beyonce’s Black is King), to relative newcomers such as Sicelo Buthelezi, who won the Outstanding Newcomer Award at the 2020 Royalty Soapie Awards.

Dr John Kani and Barney Simon founded the Market Theatre Laboratory 1989 to provide opportunities to talented youth from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their passion for the arts.

If Covid-19 lockdown regulations are still in place, parts of the course may be held online.

Applicants can download application forms or apply online on www.marketlab.co.za. Alternatively application forms can be obtained from the Market Theatre Laboratory offices at The Market Square. They may also email courses@marketlab.co.za or call 011 838 7498 for any queries.

Company Registrations Pty and NPC/NPO

Contact: 072 824 3014 schisale@gmail.com

CAF Women’s Champions League qualifier kicks off The competition will be followed almost immediately by the COSAFA Women’s Championship that will take place from September 9-19 in Nelson Mandela Bay. Sports Reporter

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he COSAFA women’s club competition, to be played later this month, will serve as a qualifier for the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League, where the winner advances to the continental finals to be staged later this year.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will represent South Africa in the competition.

The COSAFA qualifier is set for 26 August - 4 September this year.

In the recent draw Sundowns were seeded in Group A together with Lesotho Defence Forces, Double Action Ladies of Botswana and Manzini Wanderers of Eswatini. In Group

B Zambia’s Green Buffaloes were drawn with Black Rhinos Queens of Zimbabwe and TURA Magic of Namibia. The top two teams in each pool will advance to the semi-finals.

COSAFA secretary-general Sue Destombes said: “This is a great initiative from CAF to implement a champions league competition and do the qualifiers at zonal level. We have seven teams taking part in 2021, but next year we hope to have all 14 member associations participating. This is just the start, but we are putting a peg in the ground.”

The club competition will be followed almost immediately by the COSAFA Women’s Championship that is set to take place from September 9 to 19 at Nelson Mandela Bay.

Sundowns Ladies action against UWC in the Safa women’s league