Issue 6 - 2019
14 - 21 February 2019
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City issues R20 million electricity invoice to non paying business ‘It’s one of the businesses identified for not paying for electricity services. We worked out how much they owe and we are here to deliver the invoice of over R20 million to the business’ Johannesburg - The City of Joburg has handed an invoice of over R20 million to a business in Ormonde, which has allegedly been using electricity without paying for it since 2015. This was one of the businesses the City identified when it went on a disconnecting spree on Tuesday, looking for water and electricity
thieves, and then handing them pretermination notices, the City said. Mayor Herman Mashaba and City of Joburg officials went on a raid as part of Operation Buya Mthetho, looking for businesses that do not adhere to by-laws governing the use of water and electricity, together with building approvals before commencing with construction.
Mayor Herman Mashaba and Finance MMC Finance Funzela Ngobeni deliver the invoice to the business owner
Mayor Mashaba said the mattress business in Ormonde near Gold Reef City, had not been paying for electricity since 2015. “It’s one of the businesses identified for not paying for electricity services. We worked out how much they owe and we are here to deliver the invoice of over R20 million to the business,” Mayor Mashaba said.
The City of Joburg team also reported that in Bergbron, Roodepoort, they went to a construction site where they found that the contractor had not presented the City with the building plan for approval, and an application for electricity had also not been done. The officials said they gave the business seven days to settle the ac-
count. If that has not been done in seven days, the city said it would open a case against the business. The City of Joburg team also reported that the Regent Park Retirement Village in the same area was also found to have been illegally connected to the City’s services, while the contractor had not submitted building plans to the City.
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For further information contact Boston on 011 551 2000 Email: info@boston.co.za Visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook
Boston’s Graduate+ Programme
aims to
further job placement security for graduates
Boston CEO Ari Katz Known for its innovation and high academic standards, Boston City Campus and Business College is introducing a new first in tertiary education in South Africa. As one of South Africa’s leading academic institutions, Boston City Campus and Business College focuses on a well-rounded education, both academically and practically. From January 2019, Boston students will be further supported through the introduction of the new Graduate+ Programme. This innovative programme emphasises the confidence that Boston and the market have placed in the high quality of its qualifications. Because of this, Boston guarantees that the Boston graduates: 1. Will find employment; Or 2. Boston will provide assistance in helping the student to find employment; Or 3. Boston will provide complementary further studies to enhance the graduate’s employability; Or 4. Boston will provide the graduate with R50 000 “The Graduate+ Programme is part of the Boston ethos of putting our students at the centre of our educational offering. We want our students to know that they are supported through the entire process of get-
ting a qualification. From the first day of their studies right through to completion and finding a job, Boston will support the student to ensure that he/she has the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude to tackle the market and be equipped for the 4th Industrial revolution,” says Boston CEO Ari Katz, who believes in providing a personalised learning experience, meeting the educational and work environment needs of each student. This is facilitated through top academic instruction, accompanied by the opportunity to develop practical skills by exposing students to real workplace environments, enabling students to differentiate themselves in the competitive workplace market. To this end, the institution’s rigorous academic programmes are reinforced by a combination of academic support and experience in the corresponding industry through Boston’s dynamic Work Integrated Learning Programme. “Students need to be equipped with workplace skills. Applying their academic knowledge in a real-life context gives them a practical learning environment to do just that,” says Katz about the practical programme, which also teaches students how to go out there and get a job in their particular industry. Students are kept informed about the latest developments in their particular field, both from their studies and through their workplace opportunities. Additionally, because the academic institution’s exacting standards are in line with international educational requirements, Boston has been accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC). This provides students with a gateway to studies at international institu-
tions and work opportunities. For these reasons, Boston’s confidence in their courses is such that qualifications are now underpinned by the Graduate+ Programme, as further support to assist students in succeeding in the workplace. This is a unique offering and the very first of its kind in Southern Africa! Eligible Boston graduates will have to meet the necessary academic criteria and ensure that they pass each year, completing their qualification in the requisite time frame. “Boston qualifications aim to produce individuals who have an education and are also job-ready”, explains Katz. “Graduates are prepared with training that puts them in a position to walk straight out of their studies and into a job. Our focus is on incorporating Work Integrated Learning into all degrees and higher education, enabling our students to develop the necessary skills,” says Katz about the programme, which is geared to help students secure employment and achieve financial independence. To this end, Boston also offers courses in financial independence to all students at no extra cost. “The new Graduate+ Programme is a further investment in our students’ futures. We are very excited to offer the programme as testament to our confidence in the standard of Boston qualifications,” says Katz. “We want our students to know that they are supported throughout their studies. They can rest assured in their future security of finding employment and achieving financial independence after graduating from our tertiary institution,” concludes the Boston CEO. Contact the Boston Call centre on 011 551 2000, Visit www.boston.co.za
14 - 21 February 2019
New data regulations empower consumers What cellphone users need to know to stay connected Wendy Knowler
T
he new data regulations, which come into effect at the end of February, will give consumers more power over the way they use their data bundles, but those who don’t opt-in to out-of-data bundle charges in advance, will find themselves cut off when their bundles run out. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa) February 2019 End-User and Subscriber Service Charter (EUSSC) amendment regulations, which were initially supposed to come into effect last June, seek to give consumers some relief against expiry of their paid-for data, as well as bill shock due to lack of transparency on out-of-bundle charges. From February 28, there will be no automatic rolling over to out-ofbundle data charges when bundles run out. Users will have to pro-actively opt in to out-of-bundle data charges in order to stay connected, even if airtime is available or they are on a contract. By March 2019, millions of SA consumers will be able to keep their data and roll it over to the following month without losing it. Cell C’s chief commercial officer Junaid Munshi said they expect to get a lot of calls from subscribers from the end of the month, complaining that they can’t get connected and think-
CellC commercial officer Junaid Munshi
ing it’s a network problem. If subscribers - pre-paid, top-up or contract - choose to opt-in to outof-bundle billing, they can set their limit on their phone to control their spend. The amendments compels cellphone operators to send usage depletion notifications to consumers of data, voice and SMSs at prescribed deletion points - 20%, 50% and 100%. Another tool to avoid losing your data to that controversial “expiry” practice of the networks will also be available from the end of the month: the option to roll over unused data before the date of expiry. The operators will have to allow for that rolled-over data to be used first, until it is depleted, before any allocated data is used. Subscribers will also be able to transfer data to other users on the same network. Having headed to the South Gauteng High Court last year to argue that it was impossible for the network operators to implement the amendment regulations in June 2018, with just one month’s notice, Cell C became fully compliant with all the regulations a few days before Christmas. “Our biggest concern is that people aren’t going to opt in for out-ofbundle data and be hugely inconvenienced when they find themselves cut off,” Munshi said.
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Eskom has pointed out that it may struggle to keep the power on for the next few months Eskom’s Jan Oberholzer
More load-shedding
likely, says Eskom
Part of the crime scene soon after the shooting
Security guards shot dead Hillbrow - Two security guards were shot and killed while sitting in their car near corner Caroline and Claim streets in Hillbrow on Monday evening. Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said the suspects remain at large. “It is alleged that the victims, were sitting inside the Chubb Security vehicle at the corner of Caroline and Claim streets in Hillbrow when they were accosted by about five suspects who shot at
them. The two security guards were shot in the upper body and certified dead on the scene. A firearm was taken from one the victims.” The guards, believed to be aged 45 and 50 years old, were parked outside a supermarket on the corner of Caroline and Claim streets in Hillbrow shortly after 20:00. In a video going viral online, two men are seen approaching the marked security vehicle on foot. They fire several shots through the car win-
dow before a third man joins them. Captain Masondo said the two security guards were shot in the upper body and certified dead on the scene, and a firearm was taken from one of the victims. He added that the motive for the killing was unknown at this stage, and two cases of murder have been opened. He appealed to anyone with information about the murders to call the nearest police station or contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za
E
skom has warned that electricity load shedding could continue until April if the current situation remains. The power utility says it was forced to implement stage two and four load-shedding recently because of capacity problems, and as a last resort to protect the power grid from total collapse. Eskom has pointed out that it may struggle to keep the power on for the next few months; and was forced to implement stage two and four loadshedding to preserve emergency water and diesel reserves to limit
the possibility of more load shedding this week. Eskom’s Jan Oberholzer says while this is regrettable, it’s necessary. “For the last two weeks we had a tight supply, so we actually had to use reserves extensively; that’s water as well as diesel. This is also to now replenish that.” Oberholzer says that current demand is exceeding capacity, which may continue for a while. “At this point in time, our forecast remains the same but the system will be constrained up until about April this year,” Oberholzer adds. Eskom has called on households and businesses to use electricity sparingly during this period.
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14 - 21 February 2019
Man stones his cousin to death
Some members of the Soweto Gospel Choir
Gospel Choir wins Grammy Award The Grammy Award winning album Freedom was recorded in June 2018 as part of the group`s tribute to the 100 Years of Mandela celebrations; featuring several South African struggle songs Johannesburg - The award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir recently won the Best World Music Album Grammy for their collection of songs which is titled Freedom. The awards took place on Sunday last week in Los Angeles, United States, hosted by Alicia Keys.
This was the Soweto Gospel Choir’s fifth nomination in this category, and this is the third time they win it. Receiving the award on behalf of Soweto Gospel Choir were album producer Diniloxolo Ndlakuse, Shimmy Jiyane, Mary Mulovhedzi
Lost Passport Belonging to OMAR IBRAHIM NGOMANGANDO Passport Number: AB 586121 Lost in Bertrams
If found please contact 066 018 8492
and Mulalo Mulovhedzi, whose late father David Mulovhedzi co-founded the group with producer/director Beverly Bryer 17 years ago. The Grammy Award winning album Freedom was recorded in June 2018 as part of the group`s tribute to the 100 Years of Mandela cel-
ebrations; featuring several South African struggle songs, including their scintillating version of Johnny Clegg`s poignant Asimbonanga. The Soweto Gospel Choir has also won African accolades and awards, having won an Emmy Award for their collaboration with global pop icons U2 as part of ESPN’s 2010 FIFA World Cup coverage, tied with Rihanna and Jay-Z’s Superbowl performance, as well as four localMusic Awards and a Metro FM Award, among others. The group was also nominated for an Oscar for their collaboration with Peter Gabriel on the theme song for the film Wall-E.
Johannesburg - A 34-year man has been arrested for allegedly stoning his 37-year-old cousin to death in the Johannesburg CBD on Monday, according to police. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the man was arrested on Monday for the murder that took place at corner Lillian Ngoyi and End streets in Johannesburg. “It is alleged that suspects attacked his cousin with bricks. Police officers on routine crime prevention duties were informed by community members of the incident. They rushed to the scene and found a man lying on the street, paramedics certified him dead on the scene and the suspect was arrested,” said Captain Mbele. He added that the circumstances surrounding the murder were being investigated. Meanwhile police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder of a mother allegedly by her son in west Turffontein. Authorities say the 23-year-old strangled his mother to death last Friday. It’s understood the son was known to be struggling with drug addiction. Police spokesperson Phumelele Kraai said he strangled his mother; but pending on the post-mortem, that will be determined. “The son was arrested while actually waiting for the police to arrive at home,” Kraai said.
Man dies after falling off hotel building Joubert Park -A man was killed during the early hours of Sunday morning when he fell from the ninth floor of the Johannesburg Hotel in Twist Street. ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said shortly before 1am paramedics arrived on the scene where they found the man lying on the side of the road. “Sadly, there was nothing that paramedics could do to save him and he was declared dead on the scene. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are not yet known. Local police attended the scene and will conduct an investigation,” Vermaak said. Eyewitness accounts of the incident vary. Some claim that the man was stabbed and then pushed from the building, while others recounted that he jumped. Vermaak said the man sustained injuries that seemed consistent with stab wounds, but the exact circumstances could not immediately be established. By the time of going to press, attempts to obtain comment from the Hillbrow police had been unsuccessful.
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14 - 21 February 2019
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The Arts
Artistic Director James Ngcobo Top performers Busi Lurayi as Nina Simone, Lerato Mvelase, Mona Monyane Skejana and Noxolo Dlamini
Market Theatre features Four Women production Johannesburg - The production, Four Women, which commemorates the tragic occurrence and life of iconic songstress Nina Simone, has opened at the Market Theatre, featuring some of the finest female performers in the country. Those are Busi Lurayi as Nina Simone, Lerato Mvelase, Mona Monyane Skejana and Noxolo Dlamini; under the direction of the theatre’s artistic director James Ngcobo. The production is showcased under the banner of Black History Month, a celebration of the rich history of African Americans in the US. Ngcobo said in staging the production they had not deviated from the Christina Ham original; outside of adding subtle symbols to make it easier on the South African eye and ear. “There were moments around context that may not be familiar to South African audiences, and
we had to find ways, theatre conventions, to help an audience really understand where the source of the piece is at,” he said. He added that it was important to understand that while music played an important role in the production it is not a musical. “This is a play first. On our first preview, we had a lot of young people in attendance, and they seemed to think they were coming to a Nina concert. It’s not a concert. It’s got Nina’s music that is interwoven into it. What Christina did so cleverly is that she did not put Nina’s greatest hits into the play. She chose the songs that are pertinent to the moment of the play. So a song like Mississippi Goddam we couldn’t have left out as it speaks to the production,” he explained. Ngcobo explained that the timing this production is set in highlights the moment of the 60s worldwide. The arrest of
Nelson Mandela through the Rivonia trial, the height of the civil rights movement in the US, some African states getting freedom; which speaks to a collective shout for the emancipation of Black people across the diaspora. He also believes it is important to maintain ties with Black History month, to see that experiences of Blackness across the world aren’t so different. “It’s important to maintain a relationship with Black narrative from all over the world. After this I will direct a Nigerian play, a two-hander with actors Siyabonga Twala and Warren Masemola, and they play Igbos, the production is called River Man. We see a lot of South African theatre, but we also need to watch narratives that echo where we have been, but from another part of the world,” he said. Four Women is on at the Market Theatre until February 24.
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Coach keeps Afcon plans secret ‘Everything we say now has to be reduced because I want the Libyans to wonder how we will approach the game. I won’t advertise my intentions. We could go there and park the bus and say break us down. We can also say let’s take all the scenarios away from this game and back ourselves to play normally’ Sports Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za
B
afana coach Stuart Baxter says he will wait until the eve of next month’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Libya, to decide on his approach for a match that South Africa do not really have to win. Needing only a draw to qualify for the continental finals later this year, the Bafana Bafana coach said last week he would have a “Plan A and a Plan B” for the final Group E match, set to take place on March 22 in Tunisia. Bafana Bafana are two points ahead of Libya, who must inflict the first loss on the South Africans in these Afcon qualifiers to book
a ticket to the finals in Egypt. “Everything we say now has to be reduced because I want the Libyans to wonder how we will approach the game. I won’t advertise my intentions. We could go there and park the bus and say break us down. We can also say let’s take all the scenarios away from this game and back ourselves to play normally. We are undefeated in the group. We have conceded one goal, an own goal to Nigeria. So there’s a basis to say on a normal day we back ourselves to get the result we want,” Baxter said. Bafana and Libya played to a 0-0 draw in their first-leg clash late last year but the North Africans have since gone on to become the
group’s top scorers with 15 goals from five games, suggesting that a conservative approach might be the best option for Baxter. “We could try and get a goal in the first 15 minutes and retreat into a shell. We won’t make a decision until the last moments just before the game. I first want to see the form of our players, who do we have on the field. But certainly we will have a Plan A and a Plan B if we go a goal down or ahead,” Baxter said. Baxter will name his squad next month. The PSL has agreed to shift matches initially scheduled for the weekend of March 15-17, which will enable him to assemble his team earlier and have almost a week’s training in Tunisia.
Bafana coach Stuart Baxter