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13 - 27 January 2022

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

Inner City Gazette

African trade expo opens The show is set to offer an array of exhibitors and buyers from across Africa and the world, an opportunity to meet as they partner to contribute to rebuilding the continent’s business events industry

SANCB chief officer Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo

Johannesburg - Meetings Africa has announced that registration for the 16th instalment, to be held from 28 February to 2 March 2022, is now open. The show is set to offer an array of exhibitors and buyers from across Africa and the world, an opportunity to meet as they partner to contribute to rebuilding the continent’s business events industry, according to Meetings Africa. Following the announcement by

South African Tourism (SAT) last year that the trade show will be staged in a physical format after an absence in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Meetings Africa is set to reignite Africa’s business events industry. South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) chief officer Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo says the Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the global business events industry. “However, as the business events industry on the African continent, we remain optimistic and are thrilled to invite global buyers to come network and do business with our exhibitors from across Africa,” she says. Kotze-Nhlapo adds that there has been

a resounding call for face-to-face business engagement from industry players, and they are confident in executing a safe event. “While we understand the severe blow that has been dealt to the industry, we are also confident in creating a conducive platform for our participants. Buyers who will not be able to travel to South Africa due to travel restrictions will be accommodated through a minimal virtual platform. Meetings Africa is a representation of the unrelenting spirit of an African industry that forges ahead and opens its doors to the world,” she adds. Meetings Africa celebrated its 15th anniversary in February 2020 before business closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and hosted 324 exhibiting companies from across the continent. The SANCB says in collaboration with its partners, they will implement a revamped, globally benchmarked hosted buyer programme

at Meetings Africa 2022, to ensure a successful exhibitor-buyer trade show experience. The show will take place in a physical format at the Sandton Convention Centre from 28 February to 2 March 2022, with Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) hosted on 28 February. To participate as a buyer or exhibitor, those interested may contact the Meetings Africa exhibition management and sales teams for registration. “South Africa National Convention Bureau, together with our official host partners, the Gauteng Tourism Authority, along with the City of Johannesburg and the Sandton Convention Centre, are ready to welcome you,” the SANCB says. For more information visit www.meetingsafrica.co.za; call telephone +27 61 866 4486 or +27 76 296 0944; or send an email to exhibitor@meetingsafrica.co.za.

Inner-city Gazette

News

Creating

our own opportunities

– Jobs

2022

Natalie Rabson, Skills Development Facilitator at Boston City Campus We have had report after report revealing disheartening information regarding job losses and economic downturns following the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Over 1.4 million jobs were lost in 2020, and only a fraction of this was expected to be recovered in 2021. Similar events have occurred on a global scale. Is there any good news? Read on and see how you should be pivoting your career, and adjusting expectations with regards to work and studies. A report from PwC states: “In the first quarter of this year, South Africa had 11.4 million unemployed adults after a net 1.4 million jobs were lost in 2020,” “We expect only 315,000 of these lost jobs to be recovered in 2021 as economic growth is held back by lockdowns, unrest and load-shedding.” South Africa’s unemployment rate, sitting officially at 32.6%, is the thirdhighest globally after Bosnia and Herzegovina (32.7% in May) and Nigeria (33.3%). And this South African rate excludes some youth, and people that have simply give up looking for a job. So, is there good news? It’s hard to come by. But there is some. In July 2021 demand for labour decreased by 6%, while job search stats indicate increased competition in the job search market. Increased competition means that whether you are working or getting ready for job search, you need to stand out above other job seekers. How? Increase your skills level, your workplace readiness and update your CV. The latest research from Career Junction Index shows which occupational fields are currently the most soughtafter skill sets in the job market: • Software Development: Demand for software developers has been growing over the past few months. Year on year recruitment activity increased by 33%. • Middle/Department Management: Managerial skills remain high in demand. Since January, recruitment activity for middle/department managers

Natalie Rabson

grew by 18%. • Representative/Sales Consultants: Sales consultants remain highly demanded in the local labour market despite a fluctuating trend in recruitment activity. Recruitment activity for sales consultants grew by 22% year on year. The employment rate of the animation and graphics graduates from Boston Media House showcases the increase in IT jobs and software development. With a close to 100% employment rate, developers are highly in demand, both locally and globally. Says Jeannette Campbell, Head of the Graduate Support Services at Boston: “Employers constantly approach us to supply them with skilled personnel in this field. The field is growing with new opportunities always available.” The Information Technology field

also show positions that are more popular, not just in IT but also in online jobs. There has been a recent spike in demand in these careers. These include: Systems and Network Administration, with an average salary in Gauteng for an intermediate level position of R35, 265 to R47, 947 p.m. (Salaries in the Western Cape and Kwa Zulu Natal are lower.) Team Leader and Supervisor, also great opportunities for a broader range of qualifications including BCom and Business Management Diploma. And lastly Business Analysis, with a great monthly salary range of R45, 277 to R58, 545 p.m. For these positions one would need financial qualifications that include risk management and statistics. Positive employment trends, according to Career Junction have shown an upward scale in five sectors: information technology, architecture and engineering, sales, business & management, and manufacturing & assembly. Where does the most employment take place? With a move to online working and living, even schooling, we are seeing the uptick in opportunities in IT, business & management and finance sectors. Boston also encourages entrepreneurial thinking in their students, as we cannot rely on job creation from the government; rather we need to create our own jobs as well as for the community. Corporates must get involved in small business development and empower owners largely by creating a physical and digital space, and providing resources such legal that will cut through red tape and get businesses established fast and above board. We have seen a corporate book and pay for a full colour full page advert in a community newspaper, and then create paid for advertisements in that space for 8 small businesses. Working together we can switch this economic downturn. Source: BusinessTech.co.za

13 - 27 January 2022

Users express disgust over internet trolls ‘The best strategy to fight trolls is to ignore their comments and not be involved in meaningless arguments’ Tech Reporter

recent survey has indicated that many people would like internet trolls, those who post provocative comments to annoy people, start arguments or just to express hate, removed from the internet. Virtual private network (VPN) service provider NordVPN asked people what they would like deleted from the internet forever. More than a third said they would like internet trolls disappear, alongside information users previously shared online, such as contact information, intimate messages, photos, Twitter and Facebook posts. Interestingly, every 10th respondent wanted social media in general gone as well. NordVPN digital privacy expert Daniel Markuson says the survey showed that people want a friendlier and safer internet with no cyber bullying from trolls, and more control over their own information. “People also want to see gone from the internet things someone else had posted about the respondent, their children or family member’s information and streaming platforms. New year; new internet, but it is a very unlikely scenario. So I would propose thinking of new online habits to make the internet a safer place,” Markuson says. He says start thinking more criti-

People want a friendly and safe internet with no cyberbullying

cally about what you post online and go through your privacy settings to make sure no bad actors can stalk you. “Don’t feed the trolls; they post provocative comments to annoy people, start arguments or just to express hate. The best strategy to fight trolls is to ignore their comments and not be involved in meaningless arguments. Use encrypted messaging apps. Since messages hide the darkest secrets of our lives, it’s best to mitigate the risk of somebody intercepting them. Choose messaging apps with end-to-end encryption so the contents of your conversations remain private. Avoid giving out your personal information. Various services and websites ask us for personal data, and most of us share it. However, we can’t be certain how this sensitive information will be stored. Create a separate email for online registrations and share as little data as possible. Use a virtual private network, as it redirects your internet data through an encrypted tunnel and hides your IP address, thus improving your online privacy and security,” Markuson says.

13 - 27 January 2022

Inner-city Gazette

UJ appoints former deputy president as chancellor Johannesburg - The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has appointed former deputy-president and UN Women director Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as chancellor. UJ said she will succeed Professor Njabulo Ndebele, whose term ends on September 30 this year, and her term will run from 1 October to 30 September 2027. UJ Council chairperson Mike Teke said the position of chancellor at UJ demands a person of stature, exemplary moral and ethical values. “That is someone who does not shy away from addressing the greatest challenges, and who speaks for those who have no voice in society, and such a person is indeed Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka. She is a distinguished person with a record of excellence, leadership for the betterment of society and service to her community. We look forward to her contribution towards our vision; an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future,” Teke said. He added that outgoing Profes-

News

Dept seeks to return schooling to normal The department estimates that between 150 000 and 700 000 children dropped out of school due to Covid-19 disruptions Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

sor Ndebele has immensely contributed to UJ’s strategic direction and its growth, with admirable research outputs. “This has helped the university position as an important player in the higher education sector, locally and internationally,” he said. Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka was a member of the first South African democratically elected parliament in 1994, as deputy minister in the Department of Trade, and later as minister of Minerals and Energy. She became the deputy president between 2005 and 2008. In 2013 she became a global advocate for women when she was appointed as UN under-secretarygeneral and director of UN Women, dealing with empowerment of women and gender equality.

Johannesburg - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has said the department is exploring means to return normality to schooling amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “Schools will remain the same, especially on the rotational timetable where it was applicable when schooling concluded in 2021. The fact of the matter is that Covid-19 is still very much with us and we need to continue to fight it,” she said. The department estimates that between 150 000 and 700 000 children dropped out of school due to Covid-19 disruptions. The department said despite it being an estimate this is concerning. Motshekga said schools will remain the same, especially on the rotational timetable. “The fact is that Covid-19 is still very much with us, and we need to

Study bursary scheme

opens 2022 applications The bursary is open for students in all years of study, including those enrolled for their first post-graduate degree focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Johannesburg - The MultiShiburi said as techChoice SA bursary scheme nological develophas opened applications for ments continue to the 2022 academic year, advance, there is a aiming to help about 200 critical need for a students. dynamic workforce Since inception of the R20 in science, technolmillion scheme in 2020, ogy, engineering 188 students have received and mathematics. funding for their studies “That is in order with R11.2 million going tofor our country to wards bursaries, the scheme keep up with the said in a statement. rest of the world. It added that for the 2022 We see the value in bursary, 10 of the stuopening doors for dents will be funded via youth to build the the Nomzamo Lighthouse skills within our inFoundation, an organisadustry, shaping the tion investing in the future professionals who of South African youth, will lead us into of which MultiChoice is a the future,” Shiburi MultiChoice SA CEO Nyiko Shiburi partner. “The bursaries exsaid. tend beyond tuition fees and Applicants must include registration fees, accommodation be registered at a South African institute of costs and an annual living allowance.” higher learning and meet the eligibility and The bursary is open to students in all qualifying requirements as indicated on years of study, including those enrolled the application form. Applications close for their first post-graduate degree focused on 15 February 2022. on science, technology, engineering and For more information on the bursary mathematics. scheme and applications visit the site MultiChoice South Africa CEO Nyiko https://multichoice.sv.co.za/pages/login.

continue to fight it,” she added. Motshekga said for now vaccinations are not offered at schools. “We have not put mechanisms for vaccination in schools; it is a programme that we are going to work on with MECs and SGBs to make sure we follow certain protocols if there are vaccinations at schools,” she said. At the same time, there has been an increase of 300 000 in new enrolments for the 2022 academic year, the department said. Motshekga said they would provide the necessary support to ensure that all children are accommodated in schools. “We have placed the majority of our learners at schools, but provinces like Gauteng, partly the Western Cape, some areas in KZN, in urban areas like Durban, we are still deal-

Education Minister Angie Motshekga

ing with some problems, but provinces have assured us that they are doing everything in their power,” Motshekga said. Meanwhile the department has announced that owing to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which came into effect in July last year, it will no longer publish matric results in newspapers and digital platforms. The education department added that it respects the right to privacy to protect against unlawful collection, retention, dissemination and the use of personal information.

Inner-city Gazette

News

13 - 27 January 2022

Commission seeks salary

increase for domestics While the move to bring more workers in line with 100% of the NMW is a positive stride, unions and other critics have argued that it remains a poverty wage, as it is below the upper-bound food poverty line

A worker does a cleaning job in Joburg

Johannesburg - The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission has recommended payment increase for domestic workers this year. As of March 2021 the domestics’ minimum wage was R21.69 per hour, and the commission recommends an increase to R23 per hour. The actual amount, however, will depend on the inflation in the month in which the adjustment takes effect. Domestic workers are expected to benefit from the proposed increase, with the commission recommending that their salaries be increased to 100% of the National Minimum Wage. Under the Act, the minimum wage for domestic workers was initially set at 75% of the National Minimum Wage in 2020. The commission proposed that it be increased to 88% of the national minimum wage in 2021 and to 100% in 2022. “As a result, the minimum wage for the workers in 2021 came to R19.09 per hour. The equalisation of the domestic sector was proposed in 2020 by the commission, wherein there was a minority report proposing a

phased-in approach. In line with its earlier proposal, it recommends that the minimum wage of domestic workers be increased to the national minimum wage in 2022,” it said. This would bring the minimum wage for domestic workers to R23 per hour, a 20% increase from R19.09 in 2021, or approximately R3 700 per month. While the move to bring more workers in line with 100% of the NMW is a positive stride, unions and other critics have argued that it remains a poverty wage, as it is below the upper-bound food poverty line for an average-size family. The commission used the median value across all bargaining councils outside of the NMW, taking into account the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Many businesses closed leaving many people unemployed. The pandemic coincides with the period of the national minimum wage adjustment, and this makes it difficult to evaluate and isolate the impact of an increase in the national minimum wage from the effects of the pandemic,” the commission said.

Organisation urges increase in savings Johannesburg - The South es. A stokvel is very imAfrican Savings Institute portant as it helps with the (SASI) has encouraged discipline as well as stickpeople to find additional ing to certain standards,” income and increase their he says. savings capacity. Mwandiambira encourThe organisation offers ages South Africans to tips to help improve finanmake 2022 the year that cial well-being for the year they increase their savahead. ings with an additional SASI acting CEO Gerald income. Mwandiambira says the “Many of us work for best savings technique is to eight hours, but after that have a financial plan. it leaves 16 hours to do “This includes how you something else. It is very manage your budget and important to have secondspecific savings goals for ary or tertiary incomes the year ahead. Each inand look at how you can dividual has their own make that extra R100 a economy, your goals and week. At the end of the lifestyle are specifically for SASI acting CEO Gerald Mwandiambira day, when you annualise yourself,” he says. it, it ends up being real Mwandiambira details money. South Africans some effective ways to meet personal finan- limit themselves to earning a salary but you cial commitments and at the same time save can increase your earning potential. So make money. 2022 that year when you find that additional “To save you need sacrifice, commitment income to help you save,” he adds. and discipline. Sacrifice is saving money Experts advise people to make saving a priyou could do something else with. You need ority. Re-evaluating wasteful spending habto try and save using automation, which its, monitoring electricity and water usage helps with discipline. This is setting up stop and paying off debt faster are other moneyorders, so that money goes to the right plac- saving tips to implement.

13 - 27 January 2022

Inner-city Gazette

News

Programme to foster youth entrepreneurship Johannesburg - Wits Business School masters graduate Taynita Harilal has launched a programme to advance youth entrepreneurship, called #ECAfrica - Evolution of Youth Entrepreneurship (EYE). She says the project is set to foster economic development and promote new venture creation by connecting youth innovators and problem solvers in search of action based support. “It connects youth visionaries who will thrive in ecosystems that can nurture, resource and support young and dynamic mind-sets looking to solve collective societal problems.” Aimed at students in Grade 11, the project intends to equip learners with skills and resources to allow them to start their ventures or participate in entrepreneurial practices, she says. Pivoting off her learnings from her recently completed Masters and inspired by her participation in the Gibs Spirit of Youth programme, Harilal has invested her graduation ceremony funds into the project. “I presented this as part of my summer school invitation to participate in the Denmark Business School summer school programme, and it was met with a favourable response. Linking it to #ECAfrica made sense as I did my Masters thesis based on second-generation female succession planning, and this allowed me to think broadly on how

Masters graduate Taynita Harilal

this can be a catalyst for conscious planning,” Harilal says. The incubator will include lessons, guest speakers, interactive activities and exercises that will challenge learners to broaden the scope of their understanding, running for the period of a school year, and will not interfere with the school curriculum. “The aim is to provide an environment that stimulates entrepreneurial activity in new venture creation. My aim is to further unlock knowledge as I head towards my PHD studies. I hope to invite like-minded champions of economic development to help build an ecosystem where innovators can connect to support structures that will help propel their programmes,” says Harilal. For more information visit www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-connect-africa-ecafrica/.

Man killed in CIT heist attempt Johannesburg - A motorist was killed when a G4S cash-in-transit van rolled over his vehicle during a robbery attempt near Carnival City on Friday. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said on Friday the cash truck was rammed from behind by a Mercedes Benz sedan along Van Dyk Street near Carnival City. “It is reported that the cash truck then rolled over a private vehicle and allegedly killed a 44-year-old father and injured his wife and children. Security guards in the cash van were also injured and

were taken to hospital,” Netshiunda said. He said no money or firearms were taken from the security guards, and two cartridges were found at the scene. “The suspects were travelling in three vehicles, an Audi, a Golf and Mercedes Benz. The Mercedes Benz was abandoned at the scene, and preliminary investigations revealed that it was reported stolen in Jeppestown in December 2021.” Netshiunda added that police investigations on a case of attempted cash-in-transit robbery and culpable homicide continue.

Company

Registrations Pty and NPC/NPO Contact: 072 824 3014 schisale@gmail.com

Union members picket outside the CCMA in the Joburg CBD in solidarity with Clover workers Pic: Supplied

Striking workers to get paid overdue bonuses Chris Gilili

orkers have welcomed a promise by Clover SA to pay overdue bonuses as a win in the ongoing dispute between the company and workers. This follows a picket by hundreds of workers affiliated to the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) in Johannesburg on Monday in solidarity with striking Clover workers. Members of the Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FAWU) and the General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) also attended. On Monday, SAFTU spokesperson Trevor Shaku told GroundUp

that workers are usually paid their annual 13th cheque by 25 November, but this had not happened. “Workers managed to secure an agreement with the company at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Monday that their overdue bonuses would be paid by no later than 14 January,” Shaku said. Clover workers have been on strike for eight weeks across the country; demanding that the company stop plans for further retrenchments, and reinstate all workers. They also want the company to be independent of the Israeli company Central Bottling Company (CBC), which they said owns Clover

through its subsidiary Milco SA. The unions have also rejected a proposal to cut wages by 20%; and instead demand a 10% increase. SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said about 1 600 workers were retrenched at Clover during 2021, and a further 800 are expected to be retrenched by February. “The closure of factories will not only result in loss of jobs, but will shrink the economy of those small towns. The closures have ripple effects down and upstream of the supply chain,” Vavi said. Questions sent to Clover had not been answered by the time of publication. Published by GroundUp

Surgery robbers arrested Johannesburg - On Monday police arrested two suspects after they allegedly robbed a surgery in Roosevelt Park. Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said they received information about a robbery that was to be committed at a surgery in Roosevelt Park. “Police officers noticed two suspects coming out of the surgery,

and as they approached the suspects jumped into a getaway car and drove off. A high-speed chase and shootout ensued until the suspects’ car crashed onto a pole. One suspect was shot and taken to hospital under police guard, while the other was arrested without injuries,” Masondo said. He added that the two men were found in possession of an unli-

censed firearm, cellphones and laptops that were taken from the surgery. “Both suspects face charges of business robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and suspected stolen property. They will be profiled to establish whether they are linked to other crimes, especially robberies at surgeries in and around Gauteng,” Masondo said.

Inner-city Gazette

13 - 27 January 2022

Inner-city Gazette

TV programme features

Festival to celebrate Bra Hugh’s legacy

exceptional creatives Busi Nyandeni

The event features performances by the Tsogang Bana Dance Group, Mandisi Dyantyis, Langa Mavuso, Berita, Muneyi, Gcina Mhlophe and more Arts Correspondent The Hugh Masekela heritage festival is set to celebrate late global music icon Hugh Masekela in song and dance. The festival will celebrate Masekela’s legacy on the fourth anniversary of his passing on 23 January. The event will be online on www. skyroomlive.com at 8pm. The show, collaboration between the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation and Assupol, will be hosted by comedian Kagiso Lediga, once presenter of a TV show called The Bantu Hour with Bra Hugh. The event features performances by the Tsogang Bana Dance Group, Mandisi Dyantyis, Langa Mavuso, Berita, Muneyi and Gcina Mhlophe. It will also present tributes to two of Bra Hugh’s great collaborators Sibongile Khumalo with her daughter Ayanda Khumalo, and Tsepo Tshola

The Arts

Music icon Hugh Masekela

with local artist Mandla Ntlaks. Masekela’s daughter and event co-organiser Pula Twala said: “This will be our second online presentation of the festival. Our 2020 presentation, influenced by the pandemic, offered a new avenue in terms of presentation and audience. With live events still impeded by pandemic constraints, it makes sense to keep our digital stake vital and evolving.” Assupol head of corporate affairs Velmah Nzembela said keeping the festival as a virtual event enables more people across local and international borders to share in South African and African cultures, music and heritage. “We celebrate Bra Hugh’s legacy that remains accessible for generations to come,” Nzembela said.

ifestyle magazine DEKAT’s new TV season, featuring individuals with exceptional creative powers across South Africa, recently started on SABC 2. The programme, filmed at various destinations, features campaigners, leaders and opinion-formers in the arts, design and creative lifestyle, as well as the drivers of change who rise to honour, preserve and cultivate the arts. There is also a new test kitchen for food inserts, free products in every book or music insert and a challenge or activity in art inserts. Each programme,with a unique theme and refreshing angle, consists of four distinct inserts. Editor and publisher of DEKAT magazine Elzilda Becker said: “We invite you to make yourself at home in our living room and travel along in our world of books, food, art, style and entertainment. We are also excited to share the DEKAT world and adventure with the big target market and viewer power of SABC 2. Thanks to fresh approaches and often unconventional and radical

programme content, as well as a select group of talented presenters DEKATv promises exclusive, sparkling entertainment for the next 26 weeks.” The DEKATv family has four main presenters viewers can identify themselves with. A unique persona that reflects their personality and unique nature has been created for each presenter. Anchor, presenter and musician Refentse Morake is a household name in the Afrikaans community. Piet Matipa is an author and comedian and writer of Sewende Laan on SABC 2, an art lover who brings art and creative inserts to the viewers in an unforgettable and sometimes witty way. He explores the world of entertainment in his performances and writing. Writer, lyricist and award-winning free-spirited poet, Francis Grobler, has unique and electric joie de vivre. An avid book lover and talented wordsmith, Grobler is the presenter of writers/lifestyle inserts. With his unique language and style, writer and drama impresario, Gerard Scholtz personifies the DEKAT family and is a presenter of inserts in the Cape.

Anchor and musician Refentse Morake

Jawaahier Petersen is the first presenter of the SABC’s flagship Islamic programme An-Nur - The Light, and is a well-known face in many homes across the country. As an ambassador for Afrikaans. com, Petersen is also involved in initiatives aimed at the inclusivity of all Afrikaans dialects. Pretoria chef Fortunato Mazzone’s dishes are a surprise characterised by simplicity in abundance. When it comes to food, he is well-known for his artistic flair. Marliza van den Berg and Niel Radema are guest presenters.

Producers programme opens applications The programme will take the form of an intensive leadership accelerator training programme, which will also place the candidates into South African creative arts organisations that have identified the need for capacity-building leadership skills Sinenhlanhla Mdiya

upported by the British Council Cultural Economy programme, and partnered by Common Purpose South Africa, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) has launched a new Cultural Producers Programme for which applications are now open. The programme will take the form of an intensive leadership accelerator training programme, which will also place the candidates into South African creative arts organisations that have identified the need for capacity-building leadership skills. Additionally, the cohort will receive training in business skills through the British Council Creative Economy E-learning programme, as well as micro-grants for the creation of new cultural/creative products. With the SO Creative Hubs Summit digital meet-ups, the participants will connect with other young hub managers and creators from Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK to exchange ideas and opportunities for co-curation. British Council’s head of arts South Africa and Cultural Exchange Sub-

Saharan Africa, Farai Ncube said there is increasing recognition in South Africa of the creative industries as a vital source of income for young people. “Through the Cultural Producers Programme, mid-level experienced cultural producers can advance their skills, gain confidence, build global relationships and networks, and share their knowledge about cultural intelligence in multi-sectoral, disciplinary cultural and creative environments. In turn, this will enable them to realise their potential and participate in inclusive communities, create businesses and careers, develop partnerships on an international scale, and meet market demands for creative and innovative work,” she said. BASA CEO Ashraf Johaardien said the cultural and creative sector has the potential to provide access to entrepreneurial opportunities and career development. “Leadership skills are essential in any sector. However, in the creative sector these attributes are not commonly mentored or formally taught, especially in cultural production and management. For this reason, projects with great promise often

fizzle out before fulfilling their potential. That’s because the kind of training needed for sustained arts development is actually very different to the skill sets required for unleashing creativity, and that is precisely the gap which the Cultural Producers Programme aims to address,” he said. Aimed at experienced mid-level cultural producers aged 18 to 35, the programme will create the next generation of leaders to take the sector forward. Its objective is to strengthen the creative ecosystem between South Africa and the UK. The project will bring together 25 mid-career creative and cultural producers already working in South Africa. Common Purpose South Africa CEO, Elsbeth Dixon said they are devoted to developing leaders who can cross boundaries, between geographies, generations, sectors, specialisations, backgrounds and beliefs. “This is from realisation that we live in a world full of complex problems that cross boundaries and yet most leaders do not. That is why we are delighted to partner

on the Cultural Producers Programme to equip the South African creative sector with skills that will allow them to work more collaboratively, build diverse and resilient teams, and be able to navigate the challenges posed by the disruptive world we live in,” she said. Applications are open and the deadline is 21 January. Successful applicants will be announced in February 2022. For more information visit https://bit.ly/CPP_info.

BASA CEO Ashraf Johaardien Pic: Jan Potgieter

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Bid to allow fans into stadiums Sports Reporter The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) seeks to have stadiums allow vaccinated fans at half capacity from next month. SASCOC president Barry Hendricks said there is a task team handling the issue. “We seek to have at least 50% of fans allowed into the venues, but they must be vaccinated. The team will discuss ways to reduce the Covid-19 restrictions later this week. I am however not sure when they will meet Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa. Our request is not unreasonable as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon has adopted a similar stand,” he said. He added that at AFCON fans are allowed into stadiums, some of which are almost full. Limited numbers were allowed during Bafana’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. There were also a limited number of spectators in the MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town

City, however, clubs have said they cannot cover costs of allowing only 2 000 supporters. Covid-19 regulations allow only 2 000 fans at venues, but the Premier Soccer League (PSL) do not use the allowance as it is viewed as not making financial sense for clubs. Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said they do not decide on amendments to the Disaster Management Act, but they may make recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) if formal requests are made to them by the sports department and sporting bodies. “As long as the relevant department agrees, the health department will advise from a health protocol point of view, and provide a mechanism to verify vaccination status of those attending the events. This request can be done through the relevant department to the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) for consideration after receiving proposals from the sports co-ordinating bodies,” he said.

Soccer fans during a Soweto derby before the Covid-19 pandemic