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Est 2009 Issue 18 - 2020

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14 - 21 May 2020

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Inner City Gazette

Healers laud trust in indigenous medicine The tonic has not undergone any internationally recognised scientific testing. The World Health Organisation cautioned that it needs to be tested for efficacy and side effects.

Zukiswa Mvoko of the African National Healers Association

Johannesburg - The African National Healers Association (ANHA) has congratulated Madagascar for trusting indigenous medicine in fighting the corona virus pandemic. The association said it is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) study of the Madagascar tonic called Covid-Organics. The healers said the herb, Artemisia, known as lengana in seSotho and seTswana or umhlonyane in isiZulu, is one of the most trusted and safest remedies for respiratory infections, even for babies. Last week Africa CDC said it is studying the scientific data and efficacy of Covid-Organics. ANHA’s Zukiswa Mvoko said the association is paying close attention to the study. “When this thing started most of us in South Africa did mention umhlonyane. A month later Madagascar is all over the news and this was never taken into consideration by our own government,” she said. Sangoma Nthuseng Makhelemele said lengana is one of her most

trusted medicines. “When you or your baby has a cold and you drink lengana you recover. I have never heard of it being unsafe; even pregnant mothers can drink it. In all these years no one has died from lengana in my care,” she said. ANHA added that South Africa would have to listen to its own healers if the tonic is approved. Meanwhile Madagascar is putting its Covid-Organics on sale and several African countries have put orders for purchase, despite warnings from the World Health Organisation that its efficacy is unproven. Last month Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina launched the remedy at a news conference, which he said had already cured two people. On Friday a Tanzanian delegation arrived in Madagascar to collect their consignment. The tonic has not undergone any globally recognised scientific testing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that it must be tested for efficacy and side effects. Madagascar has been giving

away thousands of bottles of the Covid-19 Organics, developed by the state-run Malagasy Institute of Applied Research. Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau have already received thousands of doses of Covid-19 Organics for free. The director of Legal Studies at the Madagascan Presidency Marie Sahondrarimalala said: “Madagascar has already received orders from state authorities in other countries, but also from private individuals.” Heads of other African countries said they were placing orders. Isolated compounds extracted from Artemisia are effective in malaria drugs, the WHO noted, but the plant itself cannot treat malaria. WHO Africa head Matshidiso Moeti said she was concerned people who drank the product might feel they were immune to Covid-19 and engage in risky behaviour. “We are concerned that touting

this product as a preventive measure might make people feel safe,” she said. Guinea Bissau received over 16 000 doses which it is distributing to 14 other West African nations. Liberia’s Deputy Information Minister Eugene Farghon said there was no plan to test the remedy before distribution. “It will be used by Liberians and will be used on Liberians. Madagascar is an African country, therefore we will proceed as an African nation and will continue to use our African herbs,” he said. By last Thursday Madagascar had 225 confirmed coronavirus cases, 98 recoveries, and no deaths. Last Monday the African Union (AU) said it is trying to get Madagascar’s technical data on the remedy, and would pass that to the Africa CDC for evaluation. “This review will be based on global technical and ethical norms to garner the necessary scientific evidence,” the AU said. South African Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has said South Africa will help Madagascar to scientifically test the herbal remedy.

Inner-city Gazette

News

14 - 21 May 2020

Cyber risks of online schooling Home

is where your heart,

and shopping and

(and work and school, exercise) is – make it work for you

By Natalie Rabson We are all living in world redefined, and more so than that, in redefined spaces. This can and has caused anxiety to many people. Use these tips of how to gain back a feeling of control and in doing so, manage each day with a more sure footing. First off, we need to define our spaces. We are home bound. Home is no longer just home. It is school, it is a playground, it’s our office, and our college campus. In some instances it is also our shopping centre. And its food central! We need to aid our brains to know what is expected of us in each space! This will aid us to perform the correct activities at the correct times, with better focus. No matter how big the overall space is where we live, we need to creatively define a space for each activity. If we make food and carry it to a space to eat, make sure the dishes are immediately cleared up, washed and stored. Don’t allow spaces to be redefined as a kitchen or to be cluttered with coffee mugs. Our minds need clear, clean spaces in which to operate. And our external environment has an effect on our internal one. Get creative! Make each space feel appropriate to the activity. Your work/study space should have easy access to pens, pencils, ruler, calculator, text books and phone charger. Make it neat and pretty. House stationary in repurposed and cleaned glass jars, or cleaned tins with the labels peeled off. If you are working from home, bring your colleagues into your workspace! A screenshot printout of a zoom meeting stuck on

Natalie Rabson the wall reminds you that you are part of a team, and that you are all working towards a greater purpose. Are you studying? Pin up your exam timetable, mindmaps from your modules, and the email addresses of your lecturers for when you need assistance. Create a vision board. Get some images of your goals, photos of friends, a graduation gown, and use words that you find inspiring. Have we managed to convince you to meditate yet? A few minutes at the start of every day helps bring mindfulness to your actions. Your meditating space should be clear of clutter, sitting on the floor facing a

blank wall works. If you need a visual aid, try find an image from a magazine – one of the sea or a forest, something that allows you to lose yourself in the image and breathe. Stick that low on the wall eye level with where you will sit. Try and keep work, studies and socialising (ok – social media) away from your sleeping space. Your mind needs to define this space as a space of rest, free from anxiety. It needs to be uncluttered with text books, laptop or notes. Yes, we know you will be using your phone in bed, so discipline yourself by placing your overnight charger in a different space. Or commit to putting the phone on airplane mode at 10pm. Train your brain to sleep! We hope that you have managed to create time and energy to exercise. Lacking motivation? You now have three hours of freedom – use it! Get out of your home, get some vitamin D, walk up and down your street, run around your block and move briskly! Put on your sneakers so your activity is as defined as the space you are using. By defining each space, and each activity, we are training our brains to compartmentalise our lives in order to avoid the tendency of everything all blurring into one. If each activity is defined by its physical space, it will make us more effective when we participate in that activity. Exercise better. Eat healthier. Work effectively. Study smarter. Sleep better. And hang there folks – this is temporary. Boston City Campus offers online registration and qualifications including degrees, postgrad and diplomas. See www.boston.co.za

Doros Hadjizenonos With lockdown forcing schools and tertiary institutions to take learning online, a plethora of new risks are facing children, families and institutions. For many institutions, the switch to remote learning was unexpected, leaving little time for them to mitigate against new cyber risk before students went into the virtual environment. But as online teaching and learning becomes a new normal, there are certain risks to be aware of. Cyber bullying - children who may not have had access to online social platforms are now entering online class chats and study groups. Teachers should moderate these carefully, and parents monitor what is said in the forums, and who has access to them. Phishing - learners with un-monitored access to online gaming, email and social media can easily be tricked into clicking unsafe links, or sharing personal information. Parents and teachers must educate young learners on phishing risks and importance of keeping personal information private. Hacking the home - children can give hackers access to the family network, which is shared by parents working from home. In this way, attackers could potentially also access parent’s corporate data and networks. Hacking learning institution networks - unsecured school networks present the risk of hackers accessing students’ personal data and results, and the financial systems of the institution. Learning institutions should host information sessions for both parents and learners about cyber risk and how to guard against it. Fortinet’s NSE Institute now offers multiple levels of free training either for broad cyber awareness learning or technical upskilling. Institutions should provide strong authentication policies, and even multi-factor authentication where possible to prevent the misuse of stolen passwords.

Doros Hadjizenonos

Protect web applications - next to stealing credentials, exploiting vulnerabilities in applications is the easiest way for an attacker to breach the network. Institutions should have a web application firewall (WAF) in place and need to scan external sites for security flaws such as cross-site scripting errors and SQL injections. They should also encrypt and monitor the traffic between learning systems and users. Use network segmentation - by segmenting internet-facing teaching applications from other internal applications, like the HR system, impact will be limited should a breach occur. Manage third party risk - third party technologies used in online learning environments can pose additional vulnerabilities and risk to your enterprise network. Learning institutions must raise awareness of risks of spoofed sites and applications, and share access with authorised and secure tools. While institutions like universities likely have IT security capabilities, many schools and parents are navigating the cyber risk environment for the first time. They must practice basic security principles, and at least they should ensure that learning devices and applications are updated with patches, and that any antivirus/malware software is current and operational. It is essential that distance learning tools, the front end used by students and the back end by teachers, support SSL VPN and strong authentication.

14 - 21 May 2020

Inner-city Gazette

Community networks

Crooks sell Covid-19 survivors’ blood Criminals are selling the blood of a recovered patient on the dark web, claiming that it as a “passive vaccination” Own Correspondent

nternet streaming network provider Atlas VPN research reveals that cybercriminals are selling the blood of corona virus survivors and other fake cures for up to $16 000, about R294 000. Information about how cybercriminals are exploiting the pandemic is already widespread all over the media. However, a team of researchers was just able to find that they are taking it a step further. Criminals are selling the blood of a recovered patient on the dark web, claiming it as a “passive vaccination”, according to New York Post. Supposedly, the blood plasma of a recovered Covid-19 patient can be harvested for the antibodies and injected into a Covid-19 patient, researchers explain. Criminals are also selling the sa-

News

to help the destitute Nicole McCain

Atlas VPN chief operating officer Rachel Welch

liva of coronavirus survivors, and also even anti-malaria drugs. Atlas VPN chief operating officer Rachel Welch said researchers did price comparison between criminal services offered on the dark web and Covid-19 passive vaccines. “The fake corona virus cures market on the dark web should be growing steadily within the next two years. It is highly likely that once scientists find the cure, it will not be widely available for everyone, which is when the dark net market is predicted to peak. Health organisations and governments need to focus on education once the vaccine is out, and encourage people to rely only on trustworthy information sources,” she said. Atlas VPN said the research was conducted solely for educational purposes, and it does not promote any of the services mentioned.

More than 60 Community Action Networks (CANs) have been established in Gauteng to address the impact of Covid-19 by providing food and social support to those in need. Networks have been set up in the Johannesburg inner-city, Diepsloot, Zandspruit, Fourways, Sandton, Observatory, Moroka, Naledi, Lenasia, Ennerdale, Thokoza, Vosloorus, Stretford, Orange Farm and Olievenhoutbosch, among others. The CANs initiative was recently launched by the Gauteng Together initiative and Premier David Makhura to mobilise communities to self-activate and address the negative social impact of the pandemic. The various CANs have already started initiatives. The inner-city CAN has mapped the needs of the area and already has a list of more than 2 000 people who require help; the Fourways CAN and several others have chosen to link up with NGOs, aid organisations and fellow CANs to offer assistance; and residents in Gallo Manor, Sandown and Wendywood have been mobilised to contribute towards grocery collection drives. The Diepsloot CAN has identified families in need of educational materials for children and reading lessons are being arranged via video, while

the Lenasia CAN has been working with the Joburg Region G Disaster Management Team and local organisations to identify where and how food hampers must be delivered. Gauteng Together’s Diricilla Naidoo said the response from ordinary people is overwhelming. “It is a good indicator that communities see the value in setting up sustainable networks to deal with food insecurity and the impact of the virus. Our plan over the next few weeks is to broaden the network to Sedibeng and the West Rand, which are the poorest regions in the province, as well as to Tshwane and Ekurhuleni,” Naidoo said. However, CANs are currently not able to meet all the needs of communities in the province, as they are neighbourhood establishments that have limited capacity and resources. Gauteng Together’s Neeshan Balton said the value of the CANs lies in offering assistance in the gaps not met by government funding and grants. “Over the next few weeks, government’s stimulus package and the slight easing of lockdown restrictions will go some way towards kickstarting the economy. However, this will not be sufficient to solve all the problems as the needs far outweigh these measures. While South African citizens may have access to the grant system, even increased grants over

Gauteng Together’s Diricilla Naidoo

the next six months may not stave off hunger for those suddenly unemployed or who are unable to earn through the informal sector. Povertystricken foreign nationals who cannot apply for benefits are also being hard hit,” Balton said. Balton has called on the government to provide a clear policy directive on how it aims to co-ordinate food distribution efforts in partnership with aid organisations and the grassroots initiatives. He also urged more people to heed the call to activate CANs so that structures across a wider base of neighbourhoods can do their bit. News24

Inner-city Gazette

News

14 - 21 May 2020

Increasing GBV during lockdown

LifeLine manager Nomsa Papale

Johannesburg - Organisations that assist gender-based violence victims say there has been a marked increase in the number of calls since the Covid-19 lockdown began. The LifeLine NPO, which provides crisis support to victims of genderbased violence and those in distress, says it received 79 325 distress calls in April this year. LifeLine manager Nomsa Papale says some were nevertheless also from people suffering from anxiety and depression. “In 2019 LifeLine received 81 431 calls, and to put the spike of the lockdown into perspective we got 79 325 calls only in April this year. In April last year there were 4 254 calls. In some cases people seek information about Covid-19,” she says.

Women and Men Against Child Abuse spokesperson Ngaa Murombedzi says there has been an increase in the number of genderbased violence cases. “We cannot send teams to take the victims to places of safety because our services are limited. But in some cases victims ask themselves if they would have a place to sleep and food to eat if they report their attackers.” Anti-gender-based violence organisation #NotInMyName spokesperson Themba Masango says they received about 370 calls from victims facing attack from their partners since the lockdown began. “Things are getting worse as people are highly stressed out because some of them are losing their jobs and there isn’t enough money in the household

to keep them afloat. So things have gotten violent. We provide counselling to victims and try to take them to places of safety. But it’s difficult now because most of them are full or are closed,” Masango says. Liquor company Carling Black Label has created a WhatsApp line through which victims can send messages for help without calling and making their abusers aware. Brand director Arne Rust says it gives victims a way to get counselling silently. “It also puts men who are struggling in touch with someone to talk to, so that they can start on the journey to be champion men. People can send the word BRAVE to the WhatsApp line number 0800 150 150 and get the help they need,” Rust says.

Women’s NPO extends help to needy families Nodumo Makaza

he Makhox Women’s League NPO has extended help to families that are struggling with food under the lockdown. The organization has more than 120 000 followers on Facebook and is centred on helping people living with HIV by providing support, counselling, providing information to the community, especially the youth and unemployed. The NPO’s administrator, Sukoluhle Hlongwane says to date they have donated food hampers and secondhand clothing to more than 40 families in Johannesburg. “We have donated money from our own pockets so as to buy the food parcels; we also rely on well wishers. Since the beginning of lockdown we have seen an increase in the number of people who need help. We have more than 100 people who seriously need help but we can no longer afford since we don’t have donors. We have since encouraged our fans and community to help each other in their own capacity,” she said. She says the organization has also

adopted families that now rely on them for food. “We have countless numbers of women daily, especially single women who are always asking for help. We also have families that we have adopted as an organization,” she said. Ntokozo Tshabalala, a mother of two, says she lost her job when she became pregnant and Makhox has been helping her with baby clothes. “Makhox has helped me a million times with baby clothes. When I was pregnant I had no idea where I would get the clothes from. I lost my job due to my pregnancy as I was always sick. Currently I survive on handouts from friends; I have no close family and relatives nearby,” she said. Aggy Hove, a resident at Berea says her sister was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and Makhox has helped them with food parcels whenever they were stranded. The Makhox NPO relies on members of its WhatsApp group, HIV support group, neighbours and Facebook inboxes to identify people who are in need. Thobile Maphosa, a Makhox Facebook fan says she has benefited a lot

The NPO’s Lilian Ndlovu and Patience Swaibo with some food parcels

from the advice she has been getting from the group. “I have received emotional support from women in the group whenever I am going through tough times. As women we use this group to support each other and get advice on mar-

riages and life in general,” she said. The NPO has called on well-wishers to continue supporting their cause, so that they will be able to reach out to many people in need of assistance. The NPO can be contacted on tel 063 104 7190 and 078 522 1772.

Disaster Management calls increase Takalani Sioga

he City’s Joint Operations Centre (JOC) has experienced a spike in daily calls from residents seeking food relief since the lockdown was promulgated. At the same time, there’s a surge in the number of people who need medical aid from the City, particularly screening and testing services. Established by the City of Joburg to deal with disaster management issues during the lockdown, the JOC is seeing food insecurity as a major effect of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. JOC chairperson and acting chief of Emergency Management Services (EMS) Rapulana Monageng says most calls are from residents who need immediate food relief. “We receive calls from people who don’t even stay in Gauteng and from people outside the City of Joburg, like Pretoria and Tembisa,” Monageng says. He notes that the 24-hour operations centre has been set up to deal with emergencies within the municipal jurisdiction of Johannesburg. JOC services include food donations and distribution, Covid-19 community awareness, volunteer management, and to identify buildings that need to be quarantined and can be used as isolation centres as well as shelters for the homeless, among other things. Formerly the Joint Operations Disaster Management Centre (JODMC), the JOC is made up of JMPD, Pikitup, City Power, Joburg Water, EMS, Health and Social Development as well as Communication and Marketing. Each is represented by employees who make decisions on behalf of their divisions. Monageng urges residents and organisations who wish to donate supplies for impoverished households to contact Bongi Mokaba on 082 559 3823 or email Bongim@ joburg.org.za / Jurgensv@joburg. org.za; or call the JOC 24-hour contact centre on 010 224 0932.

14 - 21 May 2020

Inner-city Gazette

News

Relief for ratepayers during the lockdown “Meanwhile we appeal to residents who can still afford to pay their municipal accounts to continue doing so, to ensure that the delivery of basic services continues during this difficult time”

Some of the officials during the Covid-19 awareness drive with a resident

City in door-to-door Covid-19 drive Bellavista - The City of Joburg’s Region F environmental health practitioners recently engaged in a door-to-door Covid-19 awareness campaign in Ward 55 of Bellavista. City of Joburg environmental health practitioner Fahaadh Hassani said the campaign was to educate residents on Covid-19, and encourage community members to practice good personal hygiene. “Community members are scared to take pamphlets, and to engage in screening. They were saying we are bringing the coronavirus to them, and some had their doors locked. Those who opened their houses to the officials showed their appreciation. More education needs to be conducted so that people do not stigmatise those who have tested positive for the virus,” Hassani said. Ward Councillor Rashieda Landis welcomed the health practitioners, the Red Cross South Africa,

primary health care staff and community health workers who supported this initiative. Stakeholders were divided into six groups. Each group was given a block of flats to conduct health education on personal hygiene, washing of hands and practicing social distance. Hassani said 301 residents were screened, and those who showed signs and symptoms were referred to designated facilities to test for Covid-19. The City’s Manager for Environmental Health, Paballo Sekokotla expressed gratitude to Landis for her support. He also thanked staff members, stakeholders, and especially those who donated soap, sanitisers and food parcels; Spar Bassonia, Maggie’s Spar, Pick n Pay Panorama, Pick n Pay Mall of the South, Checkers, Mochachos Glenvista, Denver plus, Tayo Cash’ n Carry and Whitey Chemicals.

Boozers drink rotten beer Soweto - Beer drinkers at the Ezimbuzini informal settlement were alarmed to find that the traditional beer they drank was full of maggots. Gauteng community safety officials arrived at a shack at the settlement where brewing was taking place. They were shocked to discover drums of traditional beer infested with maggots, indicating the brew was in an advanced stage of decay. It appears many drinkers in the area had drunk the contaminated beer.

Community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko tweeted: “The things our people drink unknowingly. You buy imbamba, not knowing that you are drinking impethu (maggots).” The owner of the informal brewery could not be found, officials said. There have been reports of at least two people dying after consuming home-made beer. Informal brewing has escalated since alcohol was banned during the current corona virus lockdown.

Man shot dead in Joburg CBD Johannesburg - A man was shot dead and another wounded in a shooting incident at corner of Mooi and Albertina Sisulu streets in the Joburg CBD last Wednesday afternoon, according to police. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said officers were following up information about men in a silver Chevrolet motor vehicle who were involved in business robberies around the Joburg CBD. “They saw a male coming out of the vehicle and he was cornered. He

resisted arrest and his accomplice opened fire at the police, injuring two bystanders,” Mbele said. A 25-year-old man who was shot twice in the upper body was declared dead on the scene, while a second victim was taken to hospital by ambulance. “A 32-year-old man was arrested for murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm. One suspect is still at a large. Police recovered a firearm and live ammunition at the scene,” Mbele said.

Johannesburg - The City of Joburg is reviewing its rates rebates and municipal service charges as part of the expanded social package (ESP) programme, to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ratepayers. Finance MMC Jolidee Matongo said the city appreciates the financial difficulties presented by the national lockdown for both the municipality and residents. “The city’s leadership is reviewing the ESP programme’s current terms and conditions, which require policy adjustments to broaden the net for distressed ratepayers,” Matongo said. He added that the City’s relief programme already offers rebates on all municipal account services that include property rates, water, electricity and refuse removal.

“However, since the Covid-19 pandemic forced a nationwide lockdown, the City and its residents are feeling the pinch. This is evident in the revenue collection figures for April, which dropped, a clear indication that residents’ income has been affected. This means the City has to align budgeted programmes accordingly, to ensure a more prudent approach to fiscal management of the current budget is adhered to, while finding innovative ways to continue meeting service delivery and developmental agenda,” Matongo said. He added that an announcement on the City’s comprehensive contingency plan will be made after the Covid-19 Adjustment Budget is concluded and approved later this month. “Meanwhile we appeal to residents

Finance MMC Jolidee Matongo

who can still afford to pay their municipal accounts to continue doing so, to ensure that the delivery of basic services continues during this difficult time. It is through working together that we can overcome the challenges we are facing at this stage,” he said. He also assured residents that the City would not cut off any services during the current lockdown period.

Desperation drives second-hand clothing traders Nodumo Makaza

ellers of second-hand clothing have resorted to trading in the early hours of the day to avoid confrontation with law enforcement officials during the national lockdown. The dealers say they are left with no choice but to take chances and trade as early as 6:00am to 9:00am before the law enforcement officials start patrolling the streets. This was revealed by one of the traders, Nkululeko Dube, who said: “I don’t have a choice but to sell so I can feed my family. I am self-employed and this is my only source of income. At first we didn’t have a lot of customers but now the word has spread and people are coming to get winter clothes.” As winter looms the need for winter clothing is a growing concern. Traders say this is their only chance of selling winter clothing. “If we don’t sell these jackets and jerseys now, we run at a loss because people won’t need them during summer. Now the demand is high and we are only trying to dispose of all the clothing we stocked before lockdown,” he said. Level 4 lockdown regulations p e r m i t the sale of winter

A second-hand clothing dealer in DeVilliers Street

clothing, linen and bedding; however it prohibits the sale of second-hand clothing by dealers in outdoor markets. Promise Dlamini a mother of three says she cannot afford winter clothing for the entire family at the shops that have been permitted to open, as she has been relying on the outdoor market in De Villiers Street in the CBD

File image

for her clothing supplies. “I was disappointed when the dealers were not there to sell the much needed winter clothing. I woke up very early today when I heard they are back in the early hours of the morning,” she said. She adds that there is no other place in the city where she can get affordable quality winter clothing.

Inner-city Gazette

14 - 21 May 2020

Inner-city Gazette

Market Theatre CEO steps down

Madjozi wins African Star accolade Arts Correspondent

Lusanda Zokufa

ast Tuesday Tsonga rapper Sho Madjozi was announced the winner of Favourite African Star at the 33rd Annual Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. The John Cena hit-maker has won her second international award in less than a year. In the category she beat fellow South African artist Shekhinah, Kenyan musician Patricia Kihoro and Nigerian Teni. In June last year Madjozi won the Best New International Act at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. Madjozi said: “Our job is to move forward and never reverse; Nickelodeon, thank you for this amazing award and to everyone that voted. World, we have one message for you, Africa is coming and we are coming for you.” This year Madjozi was nominated twice; Favourite African Star and Favourite Global Music Star. The awards were virtually-produced and hosted by actress and singer Victoria Justice. Beyonce won the Favorite Female Voice award from an Animated Movie, Dwayne Johnson got the Favourite Movie Actor and Ariana Grande won the Favourite Female Artist award. Other winners included Ellen De-

The Arts

Rapper Sho Madjozi

Generes, Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish and Shawn Mendes. ViacomCBS Networks Africa vicepresident Monde Twala said: “Nickelodeon puts kids first in everything that it does and the kids have spoken and voted for their favourite stars. We would like to congratulate our African winners Sho Madjozi and Prev Reddy for flying the African flag high at this global event.” Actor and comedian Prev Reddy won the Favourite African Social Media Star, after being nominated against the likes of Anne Kansiime, DJ Cuppy and Chané Grobler.

The Council of the Market Theatre Foundation (MTF) has announced the resignation of CEO Ismail Mahomed. The Market Theatre Foundation said Mahomed took the reins in August 2016 after his eight-year stint as artistic director of the National Arts Festival. With more than 35 years’ experience in the arts sector, he is a multi-award-winning cultural administrator. His last working day will be 30 June 2020. Chairman of Council Gerald Dumas said the Market Theatre Foundation excelled locally and internationally during Mahomed’s tenure. “The partnerships fostered by him and his team go a long way in maintaining the MTF’s position as a leading international arts institution,” said Dumas. Mahomed has overseen operations and provided leadership for the four business units; Market Theatre, Market Theatre Laboratory, Market Photo Workshop and the Windybrow Arts Centre, and developed a unified administrative system which included a revision of policies and development of standard operating procedures.

He drove the activation of the Windybrow Arts Centre as a multicultural business unit of the Market Theatre Foundation. In partnership with the Coloured Cube and Sticky Situations he established the two Pan-African Reading Rooms at the centre. He directed the restructuring and re-envisioning of the Market Theatre Laboratory, and under the leadership of Clara Vaughan championed the Market Theatre Laboratory into becoming an income generating business unit, which has diversified and grown its programming without losing its commitment to provide quality education for marginalized students. He re-activated the Kippies venue which had remained dormant for over 10 years, which now serves as an alternative space directed by Jefferson Tshabalala for independent artists. He supported the establishment of the Kwasha Theatre company for young graduates, which since establishment in 2018, has secured international funding, win awards and secure invitations to international tours. He introduced an internship programme at the Market Theatre Foundation for new graduates. Mahomed has strengthened partnerships through international diplo-

uotable

uotes

By Prophet Philip Banda

Market Theatre CEO Ismail Mahomed

matic missions which have resulted in international collaborations with artists from the African continent Europe, Asia and North & South Americas. This also led to several fully funded international exchanges which included MTF personnel participating in cultural exchange programmes in South Korea, Columbia, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, France, UK and the USA. There are several other projects which include hosting the International Atelier for Festival Managers for the first time on the African continent. “With the support of the council, colleagues and stakeholders who remained focused to our core objectives we achieved several more milestones. I thank the partners and stakeholders I had privilege to work with to build on the legacy of the founding fathers of the Market Theatre Foundation,” said Mahomed.

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011 402 1977 Task team to examine soccer resumption issue The task team was given 14 days to compile the report and submit it Sports Reporter

n Tuesday the South African Football Association (Safa) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) met at Safa headquarters in Nasrec to discuss possible resumption of the season, but no date was set. Football activities have been suspended since mid-March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The officials discussed the risks and measures involved for the resumption of soccer activities. The PSL is pushing for the resumption of the season, while Safa maintains that soccer can only return if the country reaches Level 1 of the corona virus national lockdown. Both parties presented their cas-

Safa president Danny Jordaan, Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa and PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza during the meeting

es, but no resolution was found. They then formed a task team to look at the concerns which were raised and report back to the Joint Liason Committee (JLC). After that the report on the issue would then be submitted to the

government for consideration. The six-member task team was given 14 days to compile the report and submit it to the JLC. The task team comprises Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe (Safa Acting CEO); Mato Madlala

(PSL Acting CEO); Dr Thulani Ngwenya (Safa Chief Medical Officer); Dr Lervasen Pillay (PSL Head of Medical); Poobalan Govindasamy (Safa NEC) and Jose Ferreira (PSL Executive Committee Member).