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Est 2009 Tel : 011 023-7588 / 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette
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Issue 19 - 2019
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072 824 3014
16 - 23 May 2019
Website : www.inner-city-gazette.com Inner City Gazette
Distributed free to households, churches, schools, clinics, government departments, police stations, libraries and businesses in Bellevue • Berea • Bertrams • Braamfontein • City and Suburban • City West • Crown Gardens • Doornfontein • Fairview • Fordsburg • Hillbrow • Jeppestown • Jules • Johannesburg Inner City • Kensington • Lorentzville • Malvern • Marshallstown • New Doornfontein • Newtown • North Doornfontein • Park Meadows • Rosettenville • Selby • Troyeville • Turffontein • Village Main and Yeoville
Cultural awareness for Chinese investors A crucial part of this strategy is helping them avoid misunderstandings that could scuttle deals Tanni Deb, Eleni Giokos and Aisha Salaudeen
Lucia Hau-Yoon
Johannesburg - Improving communications with Chinese business partners is at the top of the agenda for Lucia Hau-Yoon and her team at the Mandarin Training Centre in Edenvale, Johannesburg. Hau-Yoon has spent nearly 30 years teaching Africans the art of mastering business dealings with the Chinese. A crucial part of this strategy is learning the language and helping them avoid gaffes and misunderstandings that could scuttle deals and harm working relationships. Hau-Yoon says she set up the training centre in response to the increasing demand for Chinese cultural awareness by Africans who work with partners from China; an indication of how influential China has become in Africa in the past two decades. According to a report by McKinsey & Company there are over 10 000 Chinese businesses on the continent, including Ethiopia, South Africa, and Kenya. In infrastructure alone,
Chinese firms claim about 50% of Africa’s internationally contracted construction market, the report said. Hau-Yoon believes this presence has made it imperative for local organizations to build long term working relationships with Chinese investors. And part of doing so requires an understanding of the Chinese business protocol. “I think a lot of Westerners or people from South Africa are too anxious to make deals happen. They meet the Chinese and hope that after one or two hours talk they can sign contracts, which is impossible. It’s about all the other things; eating, drinking, talking and small talks to get to know each other.” This need to better understand Chinese people in business is why IMS Engineering and its partners in South Africa send their teams to Hau-Yoon’s centre. IMS Engineering managing director Paul Bracher said they wanted to build a partnership approach by getting a better understanding of differences in culture, avoiding misunderstandings that can arise when people have
different cultural norms. “The Chinese are respectful and appreciative of efforts to better understand their language and culture. And it’s not a one-way street, some of our Chinese partners have also put in the effort to learn about South African culture,” he says. Jacky Liu runs the China International Travel Agency South Africa, and switches easily between Chinese and African etiquette and norms, thanks to living in South Africa for more than two decades. But the profile of Chinese travellers has changed over the years as business opportunities continue to lure more people to the continent. “Chinese business travelers come here more now because both countries are economically related. Big enterprises from China invest in South Africa, so they send a lot of officials to do business,” he said. The hope is that as the eastern powerhouse drives opportunities across Africa, they both create a deeper understanding of each other’s values and overcome language and cultural barriers so investments pay off. CNN
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Inner-city Gazette
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16 - 23 May 2019
How to tell fake How to create a winning news on formula in job searching WhatsApp For further information contact Boston on 011 551 2000 Email: info@boston.co.za Visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook
Whether you are just starting out in your job search, or looking to upgrade your current position, applying effective strategies can help make your search easier. Wondering just where to start? Branch Manager of Boston City Campus, Maponya Mall, Merriam Koqo Hlengane provides her top tips on conducting an effective job search. Setting time aside Create momentum by allocating a specific amount of time for research, setting up appointments and following up on applications. “Prepare the night before, setting up your list, so that you create an organized infrastructure allowing you to start right away,” says Koqo Hlengane who suggests setting targets for the number of calls and appointments you want to achieve. Mindset Anticipate that there may be some challenging times, when you may experience frustration because things aren’t moving as quickly as you would like. See this time as a process. Some days may be relatively quiet. Be gentle with yourself, knowing that ups and downs are a natural part of job searching. The most important thing is to take action, keep the momentum going and have faith in yourself. Networking Think of people who are already in your network and who would be able to make any recommendations where you can apply. Former colleagues, managers or people from graduate school should all have some ideas. (Boston itself has a consulting office created to assist graduates in job searches). Try LinkedIn and see who you can contact digitally. “LinkedIn is also an excellent place to find jobs in your particular field. A LinkedIn profile can serve as a good advertisement of your competencies and experience to prospective
Merriam Koqo‑Hlengane employers and HR managers,” says Koqo Hlengane. Your online footprint It is common practice for future employees to research your online profile in order to find out more about you. A LinkedIn profile can enhance someone’s impression of you. The flip side of the coin is true as well – ensure your online social media profiles would be acceptable to a potential employer. The Covering letter Once you find a job or company where you want to apply, create a covering letter, highlighting your key qualities and experience in relation to the particular job specifications. Where to look Google is your friend when it comes to your job search. Keywords such as your industry + the position you are looking for will bring up specific sites dealing with your particular field and offering relevant positions. “Searching online helps you to get to
know the job market and what is being offered out there,” says Koqo Hlengane. “It can also help you to see if you need to brush up on any skills. Take the appropriate steps to increasing your eligibility in finding your ideal position.” What are you offering? Write down your skills: soft skills such as having a strong work ethic, being a team player, solution orientated, communication and adaptability and love of learning. Note your strengths - professional competencies in which you excel and which can make you an ideal candidate. Continuous learning Whether you are just starting out or if you are looking to take the next step in your career, it is important to sustain your relevancy in your industry through continuous learning. There are many short courses or even additional degrees or post-graduate diplomas to such as a Postgraduate Diploma in Management which can be studied part-time and which can set you on a career path of success. Prepare for your interview Prepare mentally for your interview by going over the possible questions and seeing yourself answering them. You can even do a mock interview with a colleague or friend, helping you to be more prepared and more relaxed in the actual interview situation. Take action You have to know that you are going to get Yes’s and No’s. Prepare yourself –you need to persevere. “Make this into a learning experience,” says Koqo Hlengane. Always try to get feedback if things don’t work out – it helps you grow professionally and personally. Keep on. Face the challenges. Be flexible. If a strategy isn’t working, then maybe you need to adjust it. Eventually you are going to find your match. You’ve got this!” Concludes the Boston Branch Manager.
From Africa Check Forwarding a false message on WhatsApp can mislead your friends and family. They may be tricked into believing something that isn’t true. False information can also kill. In 2018 rumours of child kidnapping spread across WhatsApp in India, with tragic results. Viral messages on the platform have been linked to the deaths of 30 people in the country. In South Africa, WhatsApp messages have circulated that included rumours about foreign nationals, local crime trends, political conspiracies, racial attacks, and other “hot-button” issues that can fuel conflict and distrust. We should always be careful not to share fake or misleading messages. Here are five questions to ask yourself (and your friends) before you share. 1. Who wrote it? Many fake messages (especially forwarded ones) don’t say who wrote the message. If we don’t know who wrote it, how can we trust it? If you aren’t sure who wrote the message or where its claims come from – be careful. Before you share: Ask the sender who the author and source is, and double-check the facts. 2. Can I verify the claims? Many fake messages don’t give sources for the claims made, or use unreliable sources, like hoax news sites. Some fake messages claim to come from a trusted source, such as a real news site; but they’re lies. If you aren’t sure a claim is backed up by a trusted source, be careful. Before you share: Ask the sender if the same claim has been reported
Many fake messages try to make us scared or angry about something.
on any trusted news sites or other sources, and make sure these aren’t hoax sites. Even then, double-check the facts. 3. Does the info make me scared or angry? Many fake messages try to make us scared or angry about something. They can be shocking claims about crime or kidnapping, about people from a different country or racial group, or about new government policies. If a message makes scary or shocking claims, be careful. Before you share: Ask yourself if the message is playing on people’s fears or prejudices, and double-check facts. 4. Does it include shocking pictures, video or audio? Many fake messages use pictures, video or audio to trick us. These could be edited to be misleading. They could also be taken from a different event in another time or place. If a message includes shocking pictures, video or audio, be careful. Before you share: Check if the media has been edited, and double-check to see if it’s actually from a previous event or different place. 5. Am I sure this is not a hoax? Many fake messages can be checked out online. You can search reliable news sites or fact-checking sites such as AfricaCheck.org or Snopes.com. If you are still not sure if the message is a hoax, be careful. Before you share: Search online to see if the message has already been fact-checked or reported as a hoax. You can also ask Africa Check to fact-check a message by contacting 073 749 7875 on WhatsApp.
16 - 23 May 2019
Inner-city Gazette
State capture ‘hitman’ guilty of lesser charge
News
He was found guilty of asking for funding to stage a coup
Part of the accident scene in which two people were killed.
Two killed in horror crash
Benoni - On Monday morning two people were killed and 16 injured in a three-vehicle crash in Benoni on Snake Road, under the N12 freeway, according to ER24 paramedics. ER24 spokesperson Ineke van Huyssteen said paramedics came across the scene where they found a taxi ly-
ing on its side and several passengers lying outside the taxi. “Unfortunately, two of them sustained fatal injuries and were declared dead at the scene by paramedics. Sixteen other people suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate and were taken to hospital,” van Huyssteen said.
Thugs pose as prophets
Johannesburg - Police have warned residents to look out for thieves posing as prophets and robbing their victims of their valuables. Johannesburg Central police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said a woman was recently robbed of her cellphone in the Johannesburg CBD after a conman claimed to be a prophet and said her device was possessed
by demons and needed some prayer. “She was then asked to hand over her cellphone so that it could be prayed for. The victim was also sent to a shop, and upon her return, the fake prophet had vanished. She is not the first victim to report such an incident. We have asked community members to be aware of strangers they meet on the streets,” said Mbele.
Johannesburg - On Tuesday the Johannesburg magistrate’s court convicted a man who faced charges of conspiring to kill prominent South African politicians thought to have benefitted from state capture. The man, Elvis Ramosebudi, 34, was found guilty of lesser charges, two counts of attempting to incite to commit conspiracy to commit murder, and was sentenced to a threeyear jail term, wholly suspended. This was after he conspired to attack politicians in their homes and making their assassinations look like botched house robberies. He was found guilty of sending letters to ex-Anglo American chairman Nicky Oppenheimer asking for funding to stage a coup. He also wrote to businessman Ajay Gupta. The letter to Oppenheimer‚ dated October 25 2016‚ details Ramosebudi’s assassination plans‚ targets; then president Jacob Zuma‚ his son Duduzane and 17 other high-ranking politicians and prominent South Africans. Under the heading “Let’s Help Save South Africa”‚ the letter reads: “It is now in our hands as the Anti-State Capture Death Squad Alliance to request financial assistance and support for the amount of R60-million in order to finance our undercover
coup plot mission to assassinate Jacob Zuma and his entire state capture regime.” The letter provides a Standard Bank account number and also a list of the targets, signed by Ramosebudi. The court heard that former state security minister David Mahlobo‚ former Free State premier Ace Magashule and former mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane were the first three people Ramosebudi allegedly wanted to assassinate. In the letter to Ajay Gupta, he allegedly asked for money to assassinate people supporting “white monopoly capital”. He mentioned former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas, former public protector Thuli Madonsela, former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor and former GCIS CEO Themba Maseko. The alleged assassination plans were in documents police found in Ramosebudi’s home in Soshanguve‚ north of Pretoria. He was arrested after a visit by an undercover policeman who pretended to be interested in helping him in Midrand in April 2017. Their meeting was secretly recorded and filmed. Ramosebudi allegedly told the undercover officer that he wanted to use food poisoning and a sniper rifle to assassinate his assassination targets.
Elvis Ramosebudi
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16 - 23 May 2019
One of the officers looks at the baby in hospital
Cops save baby Food garden feeds inner-city dumped in street Refiloe Molefe (centre) and colleagues display some of the produce from the food garden.
Thabo Molelekwa
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idden away in the Joburg inner-city is a small farm producing massive quantities of fresh vegetables and healthy juices. The food garden is located near Ellis Park in Bertrams. Also known as Fifi’s Farmacy, the operation is headed by Refiloe Molefe, who says feeding children nutritious food has always been her passion. Molefe and other ECD teachers around Johannesburg were trained by Nestle on how to create food gardens to feed good and healthy produce to children in 2007. She said she fell in love with the programme and decided to start the small farm. “I have committed myself to supplying healthy foods to the ECDs around the city. I wanted to teach children the importance of healthy eating from a young age. The ECD centres bring their chil-
dren to learn about farming, healthy eating and how to make healthy juices. It is good to teach children at an early age about what is good for their bodies,” said Molefe. Molefe’s garden has many different kinds of vegetables, rotating each season. “I have many vegetables and the community benefits from my garden. Many of them are sold, but we also give away to those in the community who cannot afford to buy. As for the ECDs, I give them everything for free because I want the children to be healthy,” she added. Molefe said her interest in farming grew out of her wish to see people stop needing to see doctors. “I do not like it when people consult doctors because they pay a lot for chronic medication. But if they choose to stay healthy they may not be spending so much money on doctors,” Molefe said.
Molefe also supplies her juices to gyms across Johannesburg, which she makes in her kitchen, located in the farm. She makes green juice from spinach, green apples, pineapple and ginger. Her dark red juice is made from beetroot, green apple and ginger and she also has pineapple juice and orange juice. In partnership with the City of Joburg, Molefe trains women across the region on agro processing to know how to make healthy juices from vegetables. ECD teacher Elen Thibedi said the Bertrams food garden is very important to the people of Johannesburg. “Molefe gives good food education to our kids, they love the healthy juices. Their taste buds have grown used to those juices and healthy foods, which will help them to grow up wanting healthy foods,” she said. Health E-News
Hillbrow - Two JMPD officers recently helped rescue an abandoned newborn baby who was found near the Rea Vaya bus lane on the corner of Twist and Wolmarans streets in Joubert Park. JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the two officers, Evelyn Mothibe and Nompumelelo Nhlapo were patrolling in Hillbrow on election day when they were approached by two men who said they heard a baby crying on a street corner not too far from where they were. “The baby boy was found without clothes in a black bag at the corner of Twist and Wolmarans streets. The officers alerted emergency services while keeping the baby warm. The baby was then rushed to Charlotte Maxeke Hos-
pital where he is now recovering,” Minnaar said. He added that despite severe weather conditions at the time, the infant is in good health and recovering in hospital. A case has been opened with Hillbrow police and they are looking for the baby’s mother. Minnaar advised anyone who can assist with information to call 011 375 5911. Public safety MMC Michael Sun said: “We are horrified to see how anyone can simply throw away a baby in a plastic bag. I feel we are also responsible to investigate the reason why the baby was abandoned and offer assistance and counselling to those affected. There may be a young mother in distress who needs chronic help.”
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Inner-city Gazette
Shootout with murder suspect Soweto - On Monday police arMakhubele said information was rested a man who is believed to received by members of the pohave been involved in several lice’s Soweto Flying Squad conmurders in a Soweto hostel and cerning a suspect who had been also in Kwawanted for a Zulu-Natal, acnumber of cases cording to police ranging from spokesperson attempted murCaptain Kay ders to murder. Makhubele. “The officers He said the man then went to the was arrested afCaltex petrol ter a shootout station at corwith police at a ner Ndlovu and Caltex garage in Phela streets in Orlando West. Orlando West. Makhubele said When he saw the man faces the police he over 13 charges, ran towards five for murder, Dube hostel. A attempted murshootout then der and possesoccurred, and he Captain Kay Makhubele sion of an unliwas shot in the censed firearm, which he used in buttocks. During the shootout, a the shootout with the police. bystander was injured on the leg. The crimes are said to have taken The murder suspect was then takplace in Meadowlands, and Kwa- en to hospital under police guard. Zulu-Natal’s Msinga and Osiz- The bystander was also taken to weni, among other places. hospital,” Makhubele said.
Facebook spyware concerns Own Correspondent
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acebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp says it has been hacked, and that the attackers installed spyware on a number of people’s smartphones. MyBroadband editor Jan Vermeulen said the spyware can easily trawl through calls, texts and other data. It can also activate the phone’s camera and microphone as well as perform other malicious activities. He added that this vulnerability was discovered by the WhatsApp team and only sent out a notification after the problem was fixed. “The way it works is basically a missed WhatsApp call and in some
“One woman had sustained a gunshot wound to her abdomen while the other sustained a gunshot wound to her abdomen and leg. Paramedics treated the patients and provided both with advanced life support interventions. Once treated, they were transported to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment.” Meiring said the details surrounding the incident were not yet known, but local authorities were investigating. Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said police are investigating two cases of murder and two of attempted murder. “The motive for the attack is not known, police are investigating the matter,” Makhubele added.
Woman plunges to death at shopping mall Eastgate - Last Thursday a woman fell off the Eastgate shopping mall in Bedfordview and died, in an apparent suicide. The 42-year-old woman died after she allegedly jumped off the second floor near the food court at the shopping centre. Part of the mall remained closed to the public while police conducted investigations. The motive behind the woman jumping to her death had not been established by the time of going to print. In a statement Eastgate Mall management said ER24 paramedics responded to
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The spyware can easily trawl through calls, texts and other data, and also activate the phone’s camera and microphone, and perform other malicious activities
Two men killed in tavern shooting Johannesburg - Last Thursday night two men were killed and two women seriously injured during a shooting incident at a bar in Kempton Park, ER24 paramedics said. ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics found the two men, believed to be in their 30s, inside the bar. “One man had sustained a gunshot wound to his head while the other had one in his chest. Both had already succumbed to their injuries. Nothing could be done for them and they were declared dead,” Meiring said. He added that two other patients, women in their 30s, were assessed and found to be in a critical condition following the shooting.
News
the scene immediately and attempted to resuscitate her. “She unfortunately died as a result of her injuries. Management sends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.” Police spokesperson Capt Andre de Jager said the woman had been identified, but her next of kin had not been notified at that time. “She jumped from the second floor. We do not know what her motive could have been. Paramedics were on the scene and declared her dead.” An inquest docket has been opened.
instances, the call log is deleted, which means you will have no record of the spyware being installed. The reason why this has made headlines is because of the kind of spyware that was detected.” Vermeulen says the spyware is called Pegasus by Israel’s NSO Group Technologies which focuses on cyber intelligence. The NSO Group was previously linked to a nation state that was using it to spy on other people. “There is much controversy around this because NSO Group is alleged to have sold this spyware to a nation-state, which
Jan Vermeulen
they are not allowed to be selling to, and in turn, they are using it in places they are not allowed to be using, particularly in the United States.” To find out if your device has been hacked do the following: check if your battery life has not suddenly dropped; see if your data usage has suddenly spiked; be careful what you click on; install Lookout Security App; and immediately update your version of WhatsApp.
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Cassper, AKA rap about ‘useless things’, says Ntsiki
16 - 23 May 2019
Inner-city Gazette
The Arts
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Mandela Theatre hosts Naledi Awards Chris Avant Smith
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he 15th Annual Naledi Award Ceremony takes place at the Joburg Theatre on Monday, May 20. The team from Splitbeam is moving into the Mandela Theatre preparing to create the most spectacular Naledi Awards event to date. Behind the scenes Edith Venter and her team at Edith Unlimited are busy allocating designated seating for the guests and media, answering queries and generally sorting out the front of house. Dawn Lindberg is now fully focused on the show itself, bringing together state of the art technology, the very best entertainment that graced our stages in 2018 and a hugely talented and star-studded line-up of presenters. “The Naledi audiences manage to see excerpts from the very best of the best entertainment that in ordinary circumstances would never be able to be staged in one evening. The Naledis are all about showcasing excellence in theatre, and with the entertainment lined up for this year’s awards, we certainly will see that excellence,” Lindberg says. Having mingled with stars of stage and screen and having rubbed shoulders with the movers and shakers in South African theatre,
Naledi guests will be treated to an evening of great entertainment. “I hope I get it” from Chorus Line, performed by 40 students of Oakfields College; “Naughty” from Matilda (performed by all three talented Matildas), “Sugar Daddy” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, performed by nominee Paul du Toit, “Call me Al” from a brand new musical, Here’s to You, The Simon and Garfunkel Songbook, and the cast of The Color Purple round out the musical acts. “Blue Bird” pas de deux from Joburg Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty, “Snap” choreographed by Gladys Agulhas and an aerial ballet, performed by Taz Falconer suspended from a three-meterhigh chandelier, provide incredible entertainment showcasing a large spectrum of dance. Guests will also be delighted to see Percy Mtwa and Mbongeni Ngema reprise the opening scene from “Woza Albert”, and the evening ends with Tribhangi Dance Company’s “Circles and Squares”, an innovative amalgam of traditional Zulu dance and classical Indian movement. “This year our In Memorium section, which honours those beloved colleagues whom we have lost over the last year, will be accompanied by the legendary Pops Mohamed on
Atandwa Kani, Lulu Mlangeni and Nat Ramabulana during the previous event.
mbira and kora harp,” says Lindberg. Lihan Pretorius, Executive Director of the Naledis says every year the Naledi Theatre Awards honour those South Africans who have made a very special contribution to the arts landscape. “The Innovation in Theatre Award” goes to Gladys Agulhas, the “Lifetime Achievement Award” goes jointly to husband and wife team Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya, and the “Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award” goes to Calvin Ratladi.
The Naledi Theatre Awards are also thrilled to present Dr John Kani with the prestigious “World Impact Award”, a fitting tribute to a long and unstoppable career in the performing arts both in South Africa and abroad. Throughout the evening the audience will be hosted by award-winning stars of television and stage, Sne Dladla and Bianca Le Grange. Getting you in the mood will be Mark Banks. Along the way Fiona Ramsey, Josias “Dos” Moleele, Levi
Cassper, AKA rap about ‘useless things’ - Ntsiki
Arts Correspondent
Ntsiki Mazwai
Musician and poet Ntsiki Mazwai recently declared that Cassper Nyovest and AKA are members of the generation of hip hop artists who rap about useless things. Ntsiki is not shy to share opinion about anything that lands on her radar. In a series of tweets she said the two rappers have killed SA hip hop, and made it lose direction. “Cassper Nyovest and AKA need to evaluate the messages attached to their music if they have any ambition of reaching the levels of the late ProKid,” she said. “We went from the quality standard of Prokid and HHP to Cassper and Aka. I remember when we were pushing vernacular
rap AKA started bragging about being the best English rapper, and then opened the way for South African Americans.” She said ProKid’s generation rapped about social issues; but AKA and Cassper rap about booze. Ntsiki went on to explain that she felt Cassper and AKA offered nothing substantial in their music, and that they seldom rapped about real issues affecting people. “We need rappers who rap about real issues affecting us; so they can fulfill their spiritual calling of giving us rhymes we can vent to, and thus express our emotions and therefore making us better souls. We need conscious rap that does not sound American, and doesn’t call women b…..s,” Ntsiki said.
Maron, Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri, Vatiswa Ndara, Matthew Counihan, Jaques Da Silva, Andre Schwartz, Leila Hendricks, Dorothy-Ann Gould, Renos Spanoudes, Zwai Bala, Abigail Kubeka, David Dennis, Sello Maake ka-Ncube, Kgomotso Christopher, Des Lindberg, Neka Da Costa, Khutjo Green, and many more celebs and theatre luminaries will grace the stage to present awards. Visit www.naleditheatreawards.
Coach calls for VAR introduction ‘The game is so fast now that you need decisions to be made correctly. And sometimes it’s going to go against you because you’ll think you’ve scored a legitimate goal but there was an offside. And sometimes it’s going to go for you’
Sports Reporter
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ollowing a spate of bad decisions by match officials in the closing 2018-19 PSL season‚ Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has called for the introduction of the VAR (video assistant refereeing) system into the local game. Wits were on the receiving end of bad decisions in their drawn Absa Premiership match against SuperSport United towards the end of the season, when referee Phelelani Ndaba disallowed a legitimate goal that could have kept them in the league race had they won. SAFA suspended Ndaba for three months. Hunt said SA football needs more than the suspension of the officials to improve, and is advocating for the implementation of the VAR in the PSL‚ already used in some European leagues. “The game is so fast
now‚ so it is very difficult to make decisions. That is why we need this VAR; it helps you; it would have helped us,” he said. The Wits coach said it helps the referees make the correct calls and review their decisions in situations where they are not sure whether the ball crossed the line. “I am a big fan of VAR, I think it saves careers‚ saves jobs and gets the right decision. So‚ either way it is going to help. I think all the games are moving towards the review systems; cricket‚ rugby. Soccer has been the last one to move forward with that type of thing, we need it. I think the game is so fast now that you need decisions to be made correctly. And sometimes it’s going to go against you because you’ll think you’ve scored a legitimate goal but there was an offside. And sometimes it’s going to go for you,” he said.
Hunt would not say whether the SA referees are good or bad. “I think they need a better rapport with players‚ with how the game is managed. There are a lot of ex-players who complain that they got no jobs‚ they’ve got no life‚ why don’t they become the referees. I mean there’s a career there,” he said. When Wits lost the league race Hunt partially put the blame on the wrong decisions made by referees against them in certain games. “We’ve felt the brunt of bad refereeing this year for sure. I mean some of the free kicks turned to goals when they shouldn’t have been. That’s disappointing but hopefully it evens itself out,” he said.
Wits coach Gavin Hunt