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Est 2009 Issue 41 - 2015
15 - 22 October 2015
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The artworks that were created by community members at the Doornfontein bridge underpass in Joe Slovo Avenue.
Pic: Johannesburg CID Forum
Artwork for Doornfontein bridge Doornfontein - As part of the upgrade being implemented by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), Specialised Area & Improvement Districts and Propertuity, on the underpass of the Joe Slovo Bridge, The Trinity Session and Lalela have collaborated on a unique artworks programme for the pillars below the bridge to be painted. Lalela, based in Cape Town & Kwa Zulu Natal, and recently launched in the Maboneng Precinct, provides educational arts to at risk
youth, sparking creative thinking and awakening the entrepreneurial spirit. Lalela is involved in community-based arts education and leadership workshops aimed at the inner city communities of Johannesburg, challenged by the effects of poverty. As the implementing body of the artworks programme, The Trinity Session collaborated with the children of Lalela to design a ‘natural landscape’ for the pillars. This collaboration included a guided walk of the Melville Kop-
pies, during which 40 children of 518 years old were able to witness, photograph, and draw the unique indigenous flora of Johannesburg. During a subsequent 3-day workshop, lead by Lalela facilitators, the children were able to experiment further with natural shapes and colours and the use of cut-outs and shadow-play to bring the Melville Koppies to life in the inner city. In order to translate the design by the children to a near 200m2 mural, The Trinity Session approached a
group of experienced inner-city muralists, namely Grayscale, a street art production studio whose name is synonymous with large scale graffiti and mural projects in Johannesburg. For the painting of the mural, Grayscale has paired renowned international artist, SoloOne to work alongside experienced local artists to realize the design. On 24 September the children from Lalela joined the artists from Grayscale to place their unique mark
across 8 pillars on Siemert Street in Doornfontein; including handprints and other additions, to the pillars. Free WiFi in Braamfontein The isabelo bench is located at The Grove, in the Braamfontein Improvement District. The Maboneng Precinct and the ABSA Precinct were used to pilot the project. TheGreenCityStartup Top 8 finalist, Louise Meek and design partner Adriaan Hugo explain the concept behind the Isabelo WiFi bench. Visit www.isabelo.co
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Inner-city Gazette
15 - 22 October 2015
City’s food parcels for the poor
Residents watch as the Vinuchi building in Kerk Street burns.
CBD building burns again Residents have alleged that the building harbours criminals, and sought to destroy it Johannesburg - For the third time since February last year Joburg inner-city residents set the dilapidated Vinuchi building in Kerk Street on fire, alleging that
its occupants are involved in the rampant robberies in the area. For a long time residents have alleged that the building harbours criminals, and sought to evict its occupants and destroy the building. Last Thursday the residents forced the occupants of the building out and set the lower floors of the building on fire. A large crowd that included neighbourhood security personnel and the police watched as
a huge fire and a cloud of smoke engulfed the building. Some of the residents of the building were also among those who watched as the building burned. One of them expressed concern on where she would sleep that night. “We stay here only because we don’t afford accommodation in other buildings. They say we are criminals but we never rob anyone,” she said. Criminals often rob people in the street then flee into the building to avoid getting caught. Police expressed concern that the fire would spread to the other buildings. The fire brigade arrived and extinguished the fire.
Johannesburg - The City of Johannesburg, in partnership with the Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa (SHNSA), celebrates World Food Day by launching a nine-month food-parcel distribution programme to feed thousands of vulnerable families in all its regions. The programme, to be implemented under the theme: “Building Food Sustainability for Vulnerable Children – Eradicating Hunger and Malnutrition for One Child @ A Time”, seeks to ultimately reach more than 100 000 beneficiaries. The initiative is in line with Mayor Parks Tau’s vision to ensure that “no one in Johannesburg goes to bed hungry” as there is no justification for it. The Mayor’s Food Resilience Programme includes turning backyard spaces and dump sites into food gardens and the promotion of small-scale farming. The programme is also one of the City’s top 10 priorities. It is estimated that 42% of the poor in Johannesburg go without a meal for up to three days in a month. That is why the City has made food resilience and agricultural development a top priority. As from Friday October 16 the City, SHNSA and the South African Social Security Agency {SASSA) will distribute food parcels and vegetables to 38 wards, a total of 30 000 poor families. The distribution will take place weekly. Nkele Maumakwa, the Acting Executive Head of the City’s Department of Health and Social Development, said the City ultimately aimed to reach 100 000 beneficiaries. Health and Social Development MMC Nonceba Molwele said the City is committed to eradicating hunger in line with its Growth and Development Strategy 2040 (GDS). She said it was important for all stakeholders to come together to ensure food security. “It gives me pleasure to partner with stakeholders such as SHNSA, which understand and are equally committed to driving this vision,” she said.
Bogus cops arrested The fake cops often target immigrants in the Johannesburg city centre Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za
J
ohannesburg Central police arrested two suspects aged 36 and 41 for impersonating police and common robbery at corner Lilian Ngoyi and Von Weilligh street on Monday afternoon, according to Warrant Office Xoli Mbele. He said the arrest followed an incident in which a woman was allegedly robbed by the two suspects who were posing as police officers. “The victim was with her husband and child when they were approached by the bogus cops, who were in civilian clothes. They showed them their fake appointment cards and demanded to see their passports. The victims were not in possession of their passports, and the bogus police demanded R800 from each of them and
threatened to arrest them if they did not give them the money. The female victim told them she had only R100, which they took. While talking to them the victims saw police officers in uniform and alerted them. The bogus cops tried to run away but they were apprehended. The money and fake police appointment cards were recovered.” Warrant Officer Mbele adds that community members must be alert when they are approached by people who introduce themselves as police officers; whether in uniform or civilian clothes. “Ask to see his or her appointment certificate and make sure that the photo in that appointment certificate is really his or hers. If the person does not allow you to look at it carefully be suspicious that it may be the bogus cops,” Warrant officer Mbele says.
15 - 22 October 2015
Inner-city Gazette
News
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City improves billing system The move to the new system will reduce the number of billing portions from 21 to 8 Johannesburg - The City of Johannesburg is to introduce a regionalised billing system on 1 December 2015 to improve billing accuracy. Kgamanyane Maphologela, Group Finance’s Director of Customer Communications & Stakeholder Management, says the new move will give customers the freedom to choose their own due dates, between the 15th and the last day of the month for the payment of services and create a predictable common date for billing and meter reading. “This move will improve billing accuracy, reduce the number of estimated bills and create a platform for shorter turnaround times on query resolutions,” says Maphologela. “It will also assist the City to profile customer queries per region and gather accurate customer intelligence on every region. This will, in turn, result in informed reporting per region to afford improvements in our operations and problem solving. We want to work faster and efficiently by improving customers’ experience. Maphologela says the change was the result of the current billing schedule being open on all working days of the month, consisting of 21 portions. Each portion caters for each regional township in the City, which
strains the physical meter read“This was due to the impleing and impacts on billing ac- mentation of the new credit concuracy. trol policy. The City realises that From December 1, there will this change should have been be dedicated meter readers per communicated better beforehand region. “We want to reduce the and regrets any inconvenience number of these many portions experienced by customers,” says and focus on each region and im- Maphologela. prove the quality of meter read- All charges relating to these preing and query resolution,” says termination notices will be reMaphologela. versed. From now on customers The move to the new system are encouraged to pay their bills will reduce the number of bill- as per their normal due dates. ing portions from 21 to 8. The transactions of customers who pay their bills via a third party on the due date will only reflect on the City’s systems three days later, resulting in the kick-in of credit control measures. Customers who currently have debit orders must amend their debit order dates with their financial institution to reflect the new correct deduction date. A list of suburbs per region will be published on the City’s website (www.joburg.org.za) Shekinah Kisenga (14 years) went from 1 November 2015 missing on Monday 28-09-2015 in for ease of reference Roodepoort. Anyone with information concerning her whereabouts can should customers not contact the following people: Her know which region mother Aimee Mwele on 084 314 2111 or they reside in. Rebecca Khumalo on 011 271 8700.
Missing Person
A police officer hands the toddler to his mother at Johannesbueg Central police station.
Pic: SAPS
Man dumps his child Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za
J
ohannesburg Central police are investigating a case of child abandonment after the father of a 22 month old toddler allegedly abandoned the boy in a Fordsburg street. Warrant Officer Xoli Mbele says the 24-year-old father allegedly left the child along Queen Street in Fordsburg last Friday afternoon. “The child was seen being dropped by the father who was driving a Grey Jetta. The child was recognised
by a woman when he roamed the streets crying. She then took him to the police station. Police found a piece of paper with contact details of the Siyakhula Day Care Centre of Meadowlands, Soweto, in his pocket. Through the help of the nursery we managed to find the mother of the child.” Warrant Officer Mbele says the mother said she had given the child to his father at the Bree taxi rank the previous day. The Victim Empowerment Centre then reunited the child with his mother, he adds.
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Inner-city Gazette
Golden rules of managing debt Debt is a real issue in South Africa. Don’t believe it? The World Economic Forum has called South Africa the most over-indebted nation on earth. In a country where 22 million people have access to credit, more than half have not paid back what they owe in over 3 months. Big loans have become standard as a result, but financial literacy has not progressed at the same rate, leaving millions of people out of their depth. “Debt in South Africa is a national emergency,” says Glen Jordan, Director of IMB. 1. Wait 30 days until you buy something When you’re trying to manage your debt and save money, there’s a golden rule: wait 30 days, and if you still need that product, only then buy it. The aim is to kick the habit of buying on a whim when you’re in the red. “It’s a mind-set shift,” Jordan says. Unless you’re buying a house or a car, wait until you have the money – then buy it. 2. Always read the fine print “Never sign anything without reading the fine print,” Jordan warns. Remember, as soon as you sign a document, you are bound the terms of that document. So while it might seem logical to buy a television in monthly instalments, read the contract in full and ask questions. 3. Be responsible around holidays During Christmas, New Year and other holidays, people spend money they don’t have. “Yes, these are times for celebration, ” Jordan says. “But remember: when the festive cheer dies down, you’re left with the reality that you need to pay that money back.” 4. Curb your spending If you’re in debt, spend less. I’ve come across people seriously in debt who have simply taken out more loans to fuel their spending habits. That’s not a solution.” 5. Acknowledge your debt early Denial keeps people trapped in the cycle of debt for months. The first move is speak up.
Once you articulate your problem, you’ll empower yourself to find the solution.” 6. If you need a fast loan, make sure you can pay it back Loans are never ideal, because you end up spending more money than you borrowed. But if you need a fast injection of cash, make sure you’re not borrowing a lump sum you could never hope to pay back. You run the risk of being blacklisted, which means you can never borrow money again. 7. Know your rights There’s hope at hand. Even if you’re drowning in debt, know one thing: South Africa has strict rules designed to protect the consumer in matters of severe debt. “Many consumers don’t know that there’s actually a solution,” Jordan says. “We meet people every day who think their debt is a reality they can’t escape. But that’s not true.” 8. If you borrow money you can’t pay back, you’re not the only one at fault You have rights, which means that when you borrow money you can’t pay back, you may not bethe only responsible party. The lender also has a responsibility to check that you are a suitable candidate and that you can afford to pay the money back. IMB is a Financial Services firm committed to reducing the debt problem in South Africa. Get in contact at www.imb.co or phone the head office on +27 (0) 87 941 3254.
Contact Lorraine Makgale on:
15 - 22 October 2015
Focus
on Africa Civilians killed in UN attack
Goma, DR Congo - The governor of NUSCO mission’s public North-Kivu province in troubled eastern information chief Charles DRCongo told AFP on Thursday that Bambara said it was too five civilians had been killed in a UN early to respond. “These helicopter attack against rebel fightdeaths are not officially ers this week. confirmed,” he said. Bambara said the UN Governor Julien Paluku told AFP peacekeeping mission by phone that the attack occurred on Monday, according to “a delegahad launched “targeted tion” he received that had visited operations” in the Pinga region to end the scene. “The delegation conviolence by rebfirms that MONUSCO pounded a village essentially made up of els who had been civilians” and “as of today ... five Kivu Governor Julien Paluku burning villages in the area for several civilians were killed,” he said. MONUSCO announced it had carried out days.”Combat helicopters are taking part,” an anti-rebel offensive the previous day he had added at that time. near Pinga, in central North-Kivu, as part The UN has 22 000 peacekeepers serving in of “its mandate to protect civilians.” Asked DR Congo’s MONUSCO force, the UN’s largest mission worldwide. AFP for comment on Paluku’s claim, the MO-
Peacekeepers halt rebel advance Bangui, CA Republic - French and UN troops halted a rebel march towards the capital this weekend, clashing with Muslim fighters about 180km northeast of Bangui, a government spokesperson said.
President Catherine Samba-Panza
Dominique Paguindji said the troops fought Seleka rebels on Saturday in Sibut town after an ultimatum for them to halt their march southwards expired. It was not immediately clear if there were any dead or wounded. The former French colony has been torn by bloodshed since 2013 and interim authorities are struggling to disarm militias ahead of elections scheduled for October 18. Seleka fighters briefly seized power in the majority Christian country in 2013 and later handed power over to an interim government that is led by President Catherine Samba Panza. However, they still control large swathes of the north. The international community is pressing for an election intended to restore democratic governance by the end of this year, despite widespread lawlessness. But the president of the election commission said he was resigning this week. The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed that 77 people were killed and over 400 injured in violence that began in late September. Reuters
Universal TV journo Awil Dahir Salad
Govt releases jailed journos
Mogadishu, Somalia - The government has released two journalists who spent a week in jail after broadcasting a debate on the presence of foreign forces in the country. Universal TV’s regional director Abdullahi Hersi and producer Awil Dahir Salad were set free but the London-based broadcaster remained off the air and its Mogadishu office was closed. Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Heyr warned journalists, to ‘tell stories wisely while avoiding anything that implicates the nation’s stability and unity’. The journalists were arrested when national intelligence agents raided their studio on October 2 after it broadcast a debate on the role of foreign forces in Somalia. The internationally-backed government in Mogadishu is protected by the 22 000strong African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, with troops from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. AMISOM is battling the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al - Shabab Islamists. The arrests drew condemnation from the United Nations, United States and press freedom groups. Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries for reporters to operate, and media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks it just eight places off the bottom of a list of 180 countries for press freedom. Hersi and Salad were held without charge and were not taken to court, despite a statement from the government saying they would be formally charged. Reuters
15 - 22 October 2015
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Millé representative Laude van der Hoven hands over the kit to team captain Ntando Simayile.
Members of the Fujiyama Yeoville Shotokan karate club (back row) pose with members of the Takalani Karate Centre of Hillbrow.
Members of the Takalani Karate Centre display their medals with Sensei Takalani Mushavhanamadi (right) soon after the national karate competition.
Youth karate group wins awards ‘We managed to win because we ‘prepared ‘ for the event and are committed to the sport’ Hillbrow - Members of the Takalani Karate Centre of Hillbrow won six medals at the National Karate Championships competition that was held at the Uitenhage Indoor Sports Centre in Port Elizabeth over the weekend. The youth karate group’s Sensei Takalani Mushavhanamadi said his team was part of the group that represented Gauteng at the event on Saturday. The group consisted of youths Mohau Masehela, Mukosi Mushavhanamadi, Thabo Tami and John Dube. “The competition was
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tough as the other groups from all around the country had also prepared well. We managed to win some medals because we had also prepared ourselves for the event and are committed to the sport,” Sensei Takalani said. He pointed out that his group’s members also had the support of their parents, who motivated them to go out and win awards at the national championships. According to Sensei Takalani member Mohau Masehela won a gold medal in Kata; Mukosi Mush-
avhanamadi won bronze in Kumite; Thabo Tami got a bronze medal in Kumite and John Dube won a silver medal in Kumite and Kata. Sensei Takalani himself won a silver medal in Kata and a bronze in Kumite. The overall winner of the karate championships was the Eastern Cape group. Sensei Takalani also pointed out that there are other youth karate clubs they work with in the Johannesburg inner-city. He mentioned the Fujiyama Yeoville Shotokan Karate Club of Yeoville, which he
said is led by Sensei Aladji. He said this group represented South Africa in the African Cup karate championship event that was held at the Standard Bank arena on October 3. “Other contestants were from Botswana, Egypt, Angola, Zimbabwe and DR Congo. “The competition was won by South Africa, Angola and Botswana were runners-up,” he said. He also thanked WJKA South Africa organisation and the SA Japan Karate Association for sponsoring the karate activities in the city.
Mille hands over kit to SA Danone team Soccer Correspondent
Clothing brand Millé, distributed by Skye Distribution, have handed the Millé sponsored soccer kit to the South African team who are representing the country in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals, to be held in Morocco from the 23rd to the 25th October. The team from Bree Primary got their start in soccer through participating in the Danone Nations Cup. The tournament kicked-off in March this year at cluster level with 2 000 teams registering for participation. The winners progressed through to the regional finals and the nine provincial winners competed in the national finals in June to determine the team to represent South Africa at the 32-country Danone Nations Cup world finals. The final team joined officials from Danone, Millé, Skye Distribution, South African Schools Football Association and local media for the handover event at the Millé head office in Crown Mines, Johannesburg. Millé representative, Laude van der Hoven, handed over a kit bag, complete with new soccer boots, soccer kit, a jacket, and T-shirt, to team captain Ntando Simayile. Danone Southern Africa is part of the Danone Group, one of the fastest-growing food companies in the world. Danone is present in over 120 countries across all continents. With 160 plants and around 100,000 employees, the Danone Group is the number one worldwide for Fresh Dairy Products. Danone’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. One of the core values of the Danone Nations Cup tournament is to encourage young people to believe in their dreams. Through this initiative Danone offers a sporting event that reaches out to and inspires millions of children all over the world.