Inner City Gazette

WHO seeks to end Covid-19 emergency

Nearly 650 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and over 6.6 million deaths have been reported to the WHO, though the UN health agency acknowledges this as a vast undercount

Health Correspondent

During the third anniversary of the original Covid-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said the virus is here to stay, but needs managing alongside other respiratory illnesses.

The organization said it hoped that Covid-19 would no longer be a public health emergency this year, as it urged China to share information that could identify how the pandemic started WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus said the weekly Covid-19 death toll is now around a fifth of what it was a year ago, but still too high.

“Recently less than 10 000 people lost their lives, that is still too many and there is still a lot that all countries can do to save lives. But we have come a long way, we hope that at some point we will be able to say Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency,” he said.

The WHO emergency committee

on Covid-19, which advises Tedros on whether the virus constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), will discuss the criteria for declaring an end to the emergency phase when they meet this month.

WHO Covid-19 technical leader Maria Van Kerkhove said the committee would look at the epidemiology, variants like Omicron and the impact of the virus.

“While waves of infection are still expected, the pandemic is not what it was in the beginning, with cases resulting in fewer hospitalisations and deaths. These deaths are largely among people who are not vaccinated, or have not received their full course of jabs,” Van Kerkhove said.

She added that while the WHO says more than 13 billion vaccine doses have been administered, about 30 percent of the world has not received a single dose.

Nearly 650 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and over 6.6 million deaths have been reported to

the WHO, though the UN health agency acknowledges this as a vast undercount.

Tedros said that as the world looks to end the Covid-19 emergency, which has upended economies and left millions suffering ongoing symptoms, it needs to understand how the pandemic began. The first cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

“We continue to call on China to share the data and conduct the studies we have requested, to better understand the origins of this virus. All hypotheses remain on the table, including the theory that the virus escaped from Wuhan’s virology laboratories,” Tedros said.

WHO emergencies chief Michael Ryan said the organisation could not stop engaging with Beijing, as a huge chunk of the world’s population live in China.

Tedros said the virus had been around so long, it was almost part of the family. “This virus will not

go away. It’s here to stay and all countries will need to learn to manage it alongside other respiratory illnesses,” he said.

WHO vaccines chief Kate O’Brien said the current crop of Covid-19 vaccines do not prevent people from catching the virus to the level that had been hoped for.

“We would love to have vaccines that are more effective against infection and transmission and have greater duration of protection. We call for more investment in research and development,” she said.

On Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, Tedros said the global outbreak had taken the world by surprise. More than 82 000 cases have been reported from 110 countries, although the mortality rate has remained low, with 65 deaths.

“But like Covid-19, the emergency phase should be over within 12 months. Thankfully the number of weekly cases has declined more than 90 percent since we declared a PHEIC in July,” said Tedros.

“While more than 13 billion vaccine doses have been administered, about 30% of the world has not received a single dose.”

WHO Covid-19 technical leader Maria Van Kerkhove

Drop in trust on the internet

Chart your path by registering today

“Businesses, in order to survive, have had to change their services, products and the way that they are offered in order to continue to survive, and hopefully thrive. Many varsity qualifications remained online as we realised it works well!” Nonhlanhla Dube of Boston City Campus explains that while Boston always had a focus on technology driven learning, the number of students who preferred this methodology grew dramatically. “Our students love the flexibility, the time savings and the cost saving of transport. They receive the same level of personal interaction from training advisors as well as academic staff, and because lectures are online the consistency of academic excellence remains solid.”

She continues saying that the very best thing that you can do right now is upskill yourself so that you have new and relevant skills to offer an employer, or a to community should you decide to open your own business. Nonhlanhla discusses five reasons why she believes that now is an excellent time to start a qualification.

1. At Boston you can study anytime and anyplace. We may save time by not travelling to and from campus. Many people previously used the excuse that ‘they don’t have the time’ to study’. One of the advantages of online studies, or having kids in online schooling, is the added time we have to our days.

2. Studying online creates a resilience, perseverance and independence that are traits valued highly in the fourth industrial revolution. Acknowledging the context of the 21st century and the fourth industrial revolution, online learning by its very nature supports and develops personal independence, and prepares the candidate for the modern workplace – one which is characterised by high demand on

personnel as well as a high degree of personal autonomy. The student who has had to self-manage their studies is someone who can be trusted to meet deadlines in the workplace.

3. Develop new soft-skills. Part of upskilling is that we also develop ways to think critically, solve problems, and take responsibility for progress: these “soft skills” are valuable currency in the modern workplace.

4. Face unpredictability armed with an ability to adapt. We have seen from the economy sliding and daily events, that our lives are more unpredictable than ever. The only way to combat this is to maintain relevance in a workplace that is always changing. Travel agents are now baking and selling goods from home. With people working from home, imagine if you had the ability to do tech call-outs? Fix a laptop or a network issue in an emergency? Or if you have web design skills, you can be the start of someone’s new online business by setting up their website and ordering system? Perhaps develop an app for homeschooling? There are opportunities out

there for work, we need to have the skills that we can network ourselves and offer services.

5. Coming back to work in 2022 after years of lockdown and protocols illuminated the need for new fourth industrial revolution skills. With a tough economy, employers now demand employees that can fill many rolls as companies have scaled back to adapt to the economy. Companies will always need bookkeepers, for example, but also brand builders and call centre agents. They will also be looking for leaders who can generate ideas and make them happen through project management. Using the time to study now, means you will have skills you can use as we face the changed landscape as leaders. Taking our qualifications to a level higher creates great opportunities for upward mobility, earning potential increases, and new job opportunities will open up.

Higher Education applications close soon. Contact Boston on 011 551 2000 or visit www.boston.ac.za

Internet users call for new regulations to strengthen online privacy and better control over how personal data is collected and used

Tech Reporter

Recent findings of a 20 country Ipsos survey indicates that trust in the internet has dropped since 2019.

In the survey, released by the New Institute in Hamburg, Germany, only six in 10 (63%) internet users included said they trust the internet, which is down by 11 percent since a similar survey in 2019.

The rare exception is Japan, which showed a seven percentage increase in trust. The findings reveal that internet trust shrunk by double-digits in India (-10 points), Sweden (-10), Kenya (-11), United States (-12), Canada (-14), Brazil (-18), and Poland (-26).

Seventy-nine percent expressed worry about their online privacy.

Many expressed that internet governance is lacking. Slightly over half (57%) said the internet is effectively governed; but fewer than half in Britain (45%), the US (45%), France (41%) and Israel (34%) felt that way. In Germany internet trust fell to 61%, down nine points from 2019, which is slightly below the international average of 63%, but higher than in Canada (57%) and the US (54%).

Only two African countries, South Africa and Kenya were included in the study. South Africans had 63% agreeing that they trust the internet. In Kenya 70% expressed trust in the internet.

Programme chairperson for socioeconomic transformation at The New Institute, also former German Federal State Secretary for Digital

Society and Consumer Policy, Dr Christian Kastrop said the survey shows distrust in the largest communication network ever created.

“Internet users want effective policies to empower and protect them,” Dr Kastrop said.

Sub-Saharan Africa knowledge director Mari Harris said: “In South Africa and Kenya citizens are looking to government policies to protect them, but balance needs to be maintained between freedom of speech and stricter government policies so as not to deny freedom of information access.”

Amid privacy concerns and declining worldwide trust, internet users call for new regulations to strengthen online privacy. They also want better control over how their personal data is collected and used.

Respondents indicated that effective policies should include protection of user privacy (65%); users’ personal data (65%); establishment of standards detailing how internet companies collect and use user data (62%); and also the establishment of policies that will allow users to control their own data (62%).

Dr Christian Kastrop

‘Those who are disappointed by their poor performance at the end of their schooling career are able to continue with their studies at their own pace. They are able to register for one, two or more subjects and write examinations either in May, June or October and November.’

Power programme not to hike prices - MMC

The programme, which is aimed at decreasing the city’s dependency on Eskom by boosting capacity, wrapped up its first phase in November

Johannesburg – The City’s Environment and Infrastructure MMC

Michael Sun has said the independent power producer (IPP) programme would not lead to increased electricity prices.

Minister Angie Motshekga

Second chance matric registration nears closure

Johannesburg - The Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme registration is set to close on 8 February.

The programme is for those who have not passed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or extended Senior Certificate (SC) examinations, and is also open to those who want to improve their results.

In October Minister Angie Motshekga said at least 400 000 learners have been assisted through the programme to achieve passes towards their NSC or SC qualifications.

“The programme plays an important role in retaining learners beyond the formal schooling programme. Those who are disappointed by their poor performance at the end of their schooling career are able to continue with their studies at their own pace. They are able to register for one, two or more subjects and write examinations either in May, June or October and November. The face-to-face centres keep learners motivated, as they prepare for their examinations. Learners migrate within provinces, seeking job opportunities and that allows them to continue with their studies, irrespective of the province they relocate to,” she said.

The subjects learners can register for include Accounting, Agricultural Science, Business Studies, Economics, English First Additional Language, Geography, History, Mathematics, Mathematics Literacy, Physical Science and Life Sciences.

Motshekga added that the programme offers face-to-face and online support, and a wide range of learning support materials.

“The programme facilitates development of learning and teaching support materials based on diagnostic reports, so as to ensure that the materials focus on common areas of poor performance emanating from previous

examinations. The materials are government-owned, printed and distributed to learners at no cost to them,” Motshekga said.

Those wishing to register for the programme online may do so on www.eservices.gov.za or visit any Basic Education department office with an ID and statement of results.

Those who are older or could not complete matric due to various reasons, and those who do not qualify for higher education can register at Community Education and Training (CET) colleges across the country.

The Higher Education, Science and Innovation department says the colleges are supported by 200 community learning centres.

“They target post-school youth and adults who wish to raise the base for further learning, improve their skills for employability and progression to opportunities in the TVET colleges and university education. Community education and training offers programmes that contribute to improving community cohesion and social capital, and responsive to the geographic and sectoral needs and challenges.”

The colleges offer academic learning opportunities, including the General Education and Training Certificate for adults, courses in computer literacy and applied agriculture.

Minister Blade Nzimande said R200 million has been committed to support CET colleges, as they are critical to closing the skills gap.

“In addition to academic skills and occupational programmes already on offer, CET colleges offer two accredited programmes, Entrepreneurship and Digital Skills programmes. We will also accredit 35 pilot community learning centres, an addition to the 15 community learning centres accredited in 2021/22,” he said.

More information on the CETs is on the department’s website.

The programme, which is aimed at decreasing the city’s dependency on Eskom by boosting capacity, wrapped up its first phase in November, with publishing of a request for proposals, and submissions closing in February.

Sun said they hope to finalise the next step in the process soon after that closing date.

“We hope that by April to May this year we can be hen, able to sign up

IPPs in terms of a power purchase agreement, if not sooner. We would like to on-board the IPPs as soon as they are ready, and as soon as we get the go-ahead from the of Mineral Resources department,” he said. He added that they would be pulling funds from the budget already allocated for bulk purchases.

“Instead of using the money to purchase power from Eskom, we would simply channel them, or at least a portion of them to IPPs. Our electricity tariffs are published and adjusted annually, so it is an annual process, but it will not go up because we will be buying from private producers,” Sun said.

Hundreds of drunk drivers arrested

Getrude Mamabolo

Over 600 motorists were arrested for drunken driving during the recent festive season.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla said it was pleasing to see most residents comply with road safety rules.

“It has been heart-warming to see most motorists and law enforcement officials work together to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians,” he said.

Safety measures included roadside checks and roadblocks, vehicle inspections and tests for driver fitness and behaviour.

“Officers conducted drunken driving operations with other law enforcement agencies such as SAPS

GAUTENG LIQUOR ACT 2003 (ACT NO 2 OF 2003)

and Gauteng Traffic Police. Over 600 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol,” he added.

On New Year’s Day the High-Speed Unit of the JMPD arrested seven motorists for speeding; including a motorist who was driving at 189 kilometres per hour in a 120 kilometres per hour zone.

“The unit recorded 6 312 cases of speeding on 1 January. Of these 2 816 were in the inner-city, 771 in Roodepoort and 2 725 in the Sandton precinct. We appeal to motorists to adhere to the rules of the road and drive with caution. Avoid excessive speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance, reckless and negligent driving, and talking or texting on cellphones while driving,” he said.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR WASTE LICENCE RENEWAL OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT LICENCE FOR A RECYCLING FACILITY ON STAND 675, DENVER EXTENSION 1 IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WASTE ACT, 2008 (NEMWA) (ACT 59 OF 2008)

GDARD Ref. No.: GAUT 002/11-12/W0017

Applicant: SmartMatta (Pty) Ltd. Location: Stand 675, Dwerg Street, Denver Extension 1, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, GP. Site coordinates: 26°12’40.87”S; 28° 5’30.00”E.

Sonke Ngcobo

9103255160080

76 Juta Street, Braamfontein

Johannesburg

Renewal of Waste Licence: The Denver Recycling Facility is an existing and operational waste recycling facility which has an existing Waste Management Licence (WML) issued on 22 August 2013 and subsequently amended on 4 July 2017 and 4 December 2019 (GAUT:006/17-18/ W0002 and GAUT:006/19-20/W0004 respectively). The facility is licensed to store, sort, recycle and bail general waste in line with Activity A1, A5, A7 and A18 of GN 921 of 29 November 2013 (as amended). As per the conditions of the licence and amendments, and in line with Section 55 of NEMWA, 2008 (as amended), a renewal process is required and is in process. Competent Authorities: Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD). Prism EMS has been appointed as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner responsible for undertaking the WML renewal process and associated public participation. Register as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) by submitting contact details to the contact person listed below by 2 February 2023. I&AP’s will be added to the I&AP Register for final submission to the Competent Authority. Personal information will be handled in terms of the POPI Act, 2013. Waste Impact Report (WIR) Commenting Period: The WIR will be made available for review to registered I&APs. Please register to be notified of this review period.

Contact details: Prism EMS c/o Vanessa Stippel | Tel: (087) 985 0951, Email: vanessa@prismems.co.za

Date of Publication: 12 January 2023.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla

SS NGCOBO is intending to open a restaurant at 76 JUTA STREET, Braamfontein, JOHANNESBURG.

Should anyone intend to contest the opening of this restaurant, come forward.

Pay increase for domestic workers

Johannesburg - The Department of Employment and Labour’s National Minimum Wage Commission has recommended an above inflation hike to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for 2023, which could increase the rate for domestic workers to R25.05 an hour.

In December 2022 the commission announced that it is conducting an investigation into the NMW for 2023 and an increase could be in the range of CPI+0.5% and CPI+1%. With CPI averaging around 7% for 2022, this would put the hike around 8%.

The current national minimum wage announced by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi in February 2022 was adjusted from R21.69 in 2021 to R23.19 in 2022 for each hour worked, coming into effect on 1 March 2022.

A hike to R25.05 would push the monthly rate to over R4 000 for a worker who works eight hours a day, 20 days a month; about R300 more than in 2022.

Salary data from SweepSouth in August 2022 showed that the average domestic worker earns only R2 997 per month, below the current NMW of R3 700 a month.

On top of a hike for 2023, the commission is also looking at setting mediumterm targets for the NMW.

NMW chairperson Prof Adriaan van der Walt said

workers must earn enough to maintain a decent standard of living.

“That is defined as sufficient to support themselves and their families at a level that is both socially acceptable and economically viable. The target should ensure that the value of the national minimum wage does not decline relative to the median wage,” he said.

The commission is inviting representation from the public concerning the medium-term target to be set. The commission has also started an investigation into the protection of Community Health Workers (CHWs).

Prof van der Walt said the terms of reference of this investigation are to investigate the wages and conditions of employment of Community Health Workers in the health sector.

“This is with a view to establish a sectoral determination prescribing minimum wages and conditions of employment,” Prof van der Walt said.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) said the increase to the NMW was welcome, but workers want a bigger increase, with unions pushing for 10%.

“The 8% is not what COSATU has proposed, we made a submission for CPI+3%, and with the engagement that has taken place, we were then able to move from 3% to 2%. With CPI at 7.5% at the time, this would have taken it to 9.5%. This would make a meaningful increase to the majority of the vulnerable workers, in particular the domestic workers and farm workers. The 8% increase will be supported by the public, but that would not lead to any significant improvement for workers. With the challenges in the economy today the improvement will be minimal,” the union said.

Terror gang victims urged to come forward

Johannesburg - Following the recent arrest of gangsters suspected to be responsible for street robberies in Hillbrow and the Joburg CBD, Gauteng police have called for victims to come forward.

Several videos showing the gang of four or five men attacking victims and robbing them of their belongings were recently shared on platforms that included social media. They were seen on videos approaching victims, strangle and rob them in full view of the public.

Gauteng police spokesperson Lt-Colonel Mavela Masondo said police and the JMPD closely observed the gang and pounced on them after they robbed a victim.

“The victims and those with information can call Lt-Colonel Nkotswi on 082 319 9955. Information and tip-offs can also be sent via the MySAPS App or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” Masondo said.

Entrepreneurship project to support women and youths

Johannesburg - The Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) has launched a scheme to support mechanisms for climate adaptation finance for women entrepreneurs and youths. This is after the approval of $1 million in grant funding by development partners. The scheme called YouthAdapt: Empowering Women and Youth for Entrepreneurship and Job Creation in Climate Adaptation and Resilience, plans to develop transformative climate-resilient bankable projects aligned with African countries’ nationally determined contributions.

YouthAdapt is a flagship programme under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP) which aims to unlock the untapped potential of African youth to drive resilience and green enterprise. The virtual rallied together stakeholders, including the project team, quality control, adaptation, gender and communication experts, and climate change and green growth experts to share experiences.

AAAP coordinator and principal climate change officer Edith Adera said: “African youth are leading the way in concrete climate action as agents of change, innovators, and entrepreneurs.”

She added that the scheme would support women-led local enterprises promoting adaptation solutions to create additional jobs. She thanked the ACCF for collaborating on the projects and commended the fund for its role in facilitating the production of proposals.

A domestic worker on duty Pic: Indwe

AAAP coordinator Edith Adera

The commission is inviting public representation concerning the medium-term target to be set

Security guard held for assault

Johannesburg - A security guard was recently arrested in Hillbrow for alleged assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm.

JMPD undercover reaction unit officers received information about a man allegedly shooting at people at corner Twist and Bok streets. The man tried to escape but they gave chase and arrested him at corner Wolmarans and Edith Cavell streets. Police seized a licensed firearm and ammunition.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers received information that the man had allegedly assaulted a woman who lives in the building where he is stationed.

“It was alleged that he kicked her in the face, stomach and ribs while pointing a firearm at her until she passed out. When questioned why he assaulted the woman he did not provide any answer,” Fihla said.

He was detained at Hillbrow police station where a case has been opened for investigation.

Smartphones soon to be irrelevant

E-toll payments to be refunded

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi recently announced that those who paid for e-tolls over the years will be refunded.

Lesufi said decision on whether or not to refund Gauteng motorists was one of the issues that led to the delay of the e-toll system being scrapped on 31 December as planned.

“The scrapping of Gauteng e-tolls is a legislative process that necessitates regulation changes through publishing a gazette, but there have been differences between national and provincial governments on details. Among these differences is what to do with the money owed by motorists on their bills, and what to do with motorists who have been paying e-tolls over the years,” he said.

He added that while the social victory over e-tolls has been made clear, the system will definitely be scrapped.

“All the other details have financial and tax implications for the province, which need to be ironed

out. We hope it is done within the next 14 days before the state of the province address,” Lesufi said. He added that 95% of the e-tolling issues have been settled, with government deciding to refund road users who have been paying.

“The system has a compliance rate of 17%, so the number of users is not that large, but the refund amount of R6.9 billion is not insignificant. Outstanding debate is the manner in which they will be refunded,” he said.

Lesufi said many of the compliant road users are businesses and freight companies, as well as foreigners who preferred the convenience of e-tolls over manual payments.

“A decision on the matter will be made and announced during the state of the province address later this month,” he said.

Lesufi said the 30% committed by the province to pay off the debt amounts to around R12 billion.

The province is currently negotiating favourable terms for the repay-

ment, the premier hoping for a 20year payment period.

“That way we can use various mechanisms to raise revenue,” he said.

While the method to raise the revenue is being determined, he hinted at some of the mechanisms available, including using existing tax laws.

Some options include raising licence fees; manual tolling on vehicles entering Gauteng as it is not only Gauteng drivers using the roads; and a three cent per litre fuel increase.

He added that nothing has been decided yet, but when the decision is made the provincial government will consult residents.

“There are various mechanisms but we do not want to commit the same mistake as e-tolls of imposing a transaction without consulting. Now we will be unleashing our consultative process. No one is opposed to the payment of the debt, but the issue is the e-tolls. We will consult our residents,” he said.

Own Correspondent

In the next 15 years the launch of 6G will inspire a further shift towards mixed reality devices and make smartphones irrelevant.

GlobalData research indicates that we are already seeing a shift towards mixed reality such as Meta’s Quest Pro virtual reality (VR) headset, with the VR headset market set to generate global revenues of $50 billion by 2030. However, the devices are currently obtrusive and not worn outside of homes.

GlobalData senior analyst Anisha Bhatia says devices capable of mixed reality experiences will start to become far less obtrusive by 2030.

“Devices are slowly becoming untethered from the smartphone, with some already available, like the Apple’s Watch SE. Apple’s entry into any category jumpstarts consumer adoption, thanks to its loyal customer base. With

its mixed reality headset that to be launched early this year, and mixed reality smart glasses up its sleeve, Apple will be seeking a mainstream replacement for its iPhone in the next 10 to 15 years,” Bhatia says.

Other companies are also investing heavily in the mixed reality segment in preparation for a 6G world. Google has been an early leader in AR glasses, and items such as haptic gloves are already available for both mainstream and enterprise segments.

Bhatia adds that as mixed reality becomes more accessible and prominent in daily lives, the human body will become the interface and the way to access this digital content.

“The big challenge for Apple and other companies will be to create a mixed reality ecosystem that makes sense, and brings scalable returns. The 6G ecosystem itself will be diverse, with an array of niche players,” she says.

Digitised permits for informal traders

Brümilda Swartbooi

The City’s digitised informal trading permits benefit informal traders, including ability to register and apply for a trading licence electronically.

Once fully-fledged, the digital application system will enable a trader or anyone wishing to become a trader in the City to remotely register and apply for a trading permit. According to deputy director for Informal Trading Herold Mbowane, other advantages of digitising the application process include the timely generation of reports for the informal trading sector. “The system serves as an information centre to send communication to traders in real time via SMS and assist in bylaw management,” Mbowane says.

He adds that the City’s previous informal trader system was manual, could not generate and provide realtime information, and could easily be manipulated.

Mbowane points out that the digital informal trading permit is consistent with the informal trading policy, which was approved by the Johannesburg City Council in April last year.

The policy has been in the works since 2018 and was first approved by the Economic Development Section 79 Oversight Committee to be tabled at an ordinary council meeting.

The policy was later adopted by council and became a bylaw, paving the way for the City to have an organised informal trading sector.

Mbowane says the reviewed in-

formal trading policy is inclusive of traders, property owners and City departments.

“The policy recognises that informal trading creates employment, as opposed to its earlier version. It is underpinned by social, spatial, communication and economic principles, and is the basis for the City’s bylaw review process. Beneficiaries of the digital informal trading permit will be able to register and apply anywhere at any time, and they don’t have to go to any office to register or apply for a trading permit, which will save time and money,” says Mbowane.

He adds that the system is also able to provide and communicate real-time information to traders or beneficiaries; while personal data of beneficiaries will be safeguarded.

A customer approaches a trader in Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Joburg CBD

Other companies are also investing heavily in the mixed reality segment in preparation for a 6G world

GlobalData analyst Anisha Bhatia

Premier Panyaza Lesufi

Some of the previous winners of the comic awards

Comedy awards set to honour local comedians

New formats include Uplifting Comedy for the best piece of uplifting comedy; Burn of the Year Award for any tactical piece of content/social commentary; and Funny Influencer Content for the funniest influencer content, nominated by the comedy industry.

Johannesburg - The 10th Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards (SCCCA) registrations have opened, with new categories and new management announced.

In a bid to take the appeal of the awards to a broader audience the Comics’ Choice team are introducing new categories. After the awards’ ninth instalment took place in 2019, it was touch-and-go whether it would be able to revive itself after Covid-19, especially as comedy clubs closed their doors and comedians adapted to a new performance arena, online.

The comedy awards are back, with a new name, new categories, new voting system and a new team bringing it all to life.

At the helm of the awards is entertainment marketing agency One-eyed Jack, the founders of the DStv Content Creator Awards and now new custodians of the Savanna Comics awards.

Managing director of One-eyed Jack, Manuela Dias de Deus says they have worked on the awards since 2012 with its previous owners, and have seen the difference it makes to the industry and comedians’ careers.

“Our aim is to rebuild the platform, support new talent, profile and celebrate industry icons. We are doing our bit to help SA’s incredible talent shine,” Dias de Deus says.

Brand manager of Savanna Cider Kayla Hendricks says the decadelong partnership with the SCCCA has been an important part of support for the local comedy industry

Skills development for film makers

Arts Correspondent

Media organisation Sunshine Cinema, together with UCT’s Centre for Film and Media Studies will again offer an online professional development course on Film Impact Screening Facilitation from June 2023.

The course is aimed at communicators, creatives, aspiring impact producers, and purpose-driven Gen Zs eager to ignite change through the screening of mostly documentary, but also fiction feature films to audiences.

Sunshine Cinema co-founder and course lecturer Sydelle Smith says this is the second year this course has been offered in response to a growing demand by audiences and filmmakers to provide content that can impact myriad current crises and challenges the world is facing.

“With this demand for content comes a call from audiences to be able to unpack, engage and work with film content to benefit their spheres of influence and interest. The course provides tangible and workable methodologies for people to develop skills as facilitators to work with film screenings that can help guide audiences and impact this change or stimulate meaningful activism,” Smith says.

as a film impact screening facilitator.

Course convenor Dr Liani Maasdorp says: “Thanks to the combination of carefully curated inputs and written and practical assignments, students leave the course knowing how to organise, market and host a screening and facilitate a meaningful conversation with the audience about the issue shown in the film. This important work aims to positively influence people’s perceptions and behaviour around issues including human rights, social justice, and the climate crisis.”

The six-month 100% online course comprises weekly self-paced lessons on the UCT online learning platform, most of which culminate in a virtual class that allows students to engage with influential movement builders, impact producers and filmmakers from South Africa, Africa and beyond.

that dates back to their premium cider brand’s launch.

“This platform allows Savanna to continue to uplift a nation through humour by celebrating the iconic SA comedians that keep SA laughing. The awards are a platform to showcase longstanding, and up-and-coming local talent, and to collaborate on how the industry grows and becomes a sustainable livelihood for the comedians,” Hendricks says.

Each winner will receive the Waldo statuette and a prize hamper worth R5 000.

New formats include Uplifting Comedy: For the best piece of uplifting comedy; Burn of the Year Award: For any tactical piece of content/social commentary; Funny Influencer Content: For the funniest influencer content, nominated by the comedy industry; Funny is Funny: If comedians think it’s funny, it’s funny. For the funniest ad in SA.

Stand-up comedy awards include Best Stand-Up Show Award; Best Comedy Festival / Show Award; Savanna Newcomer Award; Breakthrough Act of the Year Award; Comedian of the Year Award; Non-English Award and the Hall of Fame Award.

The Savanna Newcomer Showcase will take place in February 2023 and the awards will take place in April 2023 in Johannesburg.

Each winner will do a few minutes of comedy instead of an acceptance speech, and there will also be show sketches in the mix.

Sunshine Cinema has taken films to communities in Southern Africa for years, supporting producers, organisations and creatives who have the content but lack experience in making an impact with audiences.

Impact producer and course lecturer Miki Redelinghuys says issuedriven documentaries have increased in popularity.

“Filmmakers know what impact they would like to achieve by making their films, but for the most part do not know how to leverage their films to do this. This is where an impact facilitator steps in so that the film reaches the right audience, and through a careful strategy converts interest into action,” Redelinghuys says.

The course runs from 1 June to 8 December 2023, and will cover six modules, with each geared towards giving students knowledge and confidence needed to work

Guest lecturers include well-known creatives, activists, and impact producers. Those include globally-renowned and award-winning storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, film director and activist Zackie Achmat, impact campaign specialist Rowan Pybus, producer and cultural activist Vince Manzini, UCT senior lecturer, impact producer and activist Dr Liani Maasdorp, writer, producer, impact producer Anita Khanna, filmmaker, writer and producer Judy Kibinge of Kenya, filmmaker, community leader, and founder of Sierra Leone’s first media-makers union Arthur

At the end of the course, participants will have a series of processes, methodologies, creative ideas, examples, and a practical toolkit from which to work, as well as support as alumni from the course convenors and peers.

The course is open globally to anyone interested in using film to affect change, and bursaries are available for participants. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2023. For more visit https://sunshinecinema.org/impact-facilitator-course.

Pratt and Indian filmmaker Kushboo Ranka.

Renowned storyteller Gcina Mhlophe

SA ref to officiate at women’s World Cup

Makalima will represent Africa together with Vincentia Amedome of Togo, Bouchra Karboubi of Morocco and Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda, who officiated at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar

Sports Reporter

World football governing body

FIFA has released the list of match officials for the women’s World Cup from 20 July - 20 August in Australia and New Zealand.

A total of 33 referees, 55 assistant referees and 19 video match officials will form FIFA Team One.

South African referee Akhona Makalima is among the 12 African match officials appointed for the coming Women’s World Cup. Makalima officiates for FIFA, the PSL, Sasol Women’s League and SAFA. She has also officiated in several FIFA and CAF tournaments. She was part of the 2022 WAFCON tournament, where Banyana were crowned Africa’s champions.

Makalima said the appointment is one of the greatest achievements in her career, and is looking forward to the tournament and making the country proud.

“My heart is filled with huge excitement and gratitude. This is what we all strive for as match officials, officiating at the biggest stage. I thank all those involved in this project for a job well done,” she said.

Makalima will represent Africa together with Vincentia Amedome of Togo, Bouchra Karboubi of Morocco and Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda, who officiated at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar.

There will also be Diana Chikotesha of Zambia, Carine Atezambong from Cameroon, Fanta Kone of Mali Soukaina Hamdi and Fati-

ha Jermoumi of Morocco, Mary Njoroge of Kenya and Queency Victoire of Mauritania, who will be assistant referees. Adil Zourak from Mauritania will serve as a Video Match Official.

FIFA said the officials were chosen in cooperation with the six confederations, based on the officials’ performances delivered at FIFA tournaments, as well as other international and domestic competitions.

For the first time the FIFA Women’s World Cup has six female video match officials.

Chairperson of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina said the selected on-field match officials represent the highest level of refereeing worldwide.

“We remember the very success-

ful FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 in France, where a high standard of refereeing contributed to the success. The aim for the coming World Cup is to repeat that success and convince again with excellent referees’ performances,” Collina said.

FIFA’s head of Women Refereeing, Kari Seitz said match officials would continue to receive all the support from FIFA, as their preparation is paramount.

“With time lost due to the pandemic in preparation for the Women’s World Cup we developed new programmes to accelerate our referee development, such as the Tracking and Support programme, where each referee candidate was assigned a FIFA coach who provided feedback on their matches,” Seitz said.

Referee Akhona Makalima