Inner City Gazette

Partnership helps find missing children

Johannesburg - Media owner

Tractor Outdoor has partnered with Missing Children South Africa (MCSA), an organisation that assists the authorities whenever a child goes missing, to return missing children to their homes.

Tractor Outdoor has offered its countrywide digital billboard network, which reaches more than 30 million consumers each month, to the organisation for free, allowing for rapid communication of new missing child alerts to key areas, as well as high-traffic locations such as highways and petrol stations.

Tractor Outdoor commercial director Remi Du Preez says there is nothing more distressing to a family or community than a child gone missing.

“We approached MCSA with the intent of creating a digital channel that would facilitate fast-tomarket communication close to areas where the child in question

was last seen. This approach has been very successful in the United States; media owners and authorities collaborate closely when matters of national concern arise, and we wanted to replicate this model closer to home,” Du Preez says.

Du Preez explains that key to the rapid dissemination of these alerts was designing a seamless process, which included creation of a universal template.

“MCSA can swiftly insert important details such as the child’s name, age, image and area where they were last seen into the template, and share it with Tractor’s content management team. Our team immediately uploads the creative and schedule the campaign roll-out, and the alert is flighted within minutes of its receipt. Technology was key to successful roll-out of this initiative. Tractor’s systems allow artwork to be easily connected across metros at the touch of a button, enabling

high-priority content to be flighted before other content. Due to the dynamic nature of our systems, it generally takes less than five minutes for our system to identify available inventory and then upload content for flighting. As time is of extreme importance in missing children cases, this fast turnaround plays a crucial role,” Du Preez says.

Du Preez adds that one of their foundational pillars is to give a voice to those who need it.

“We are excited to roll out many other partnerships of this nature in the months to follow,” he says.

MCSA national coordinator Bianca van Aswegen says the partnership could not have come at a better time for the organisation.

“Over the past few months there has been a frightening spike in the number of child kidnappings, abductions, human trafficking cases and missing children. We have been inundated with new reports daily.

Now with increased and far-reaching exposure that we are able to give these cases via Tractor’s network, and with each additional eyeball on our alerts, we improve the chances of bringing a child home,” she says.

Prior to the partnership with Tractor, MCSA predominantly made use of social media and communitybased flyers to alert communities about children reported as missing.

“With the addition of digital screens, we are not only reaching a wider audience; we also alert more people to the existence of an organisation that assists caregivers should their child go missing, at no cost to them. This is hugely significant for us as an organisation, and we cannot thank Tractor Outdoor enough for offering this service to us, helping make South Africa a safer place for all our children,” she adds. For more information visit the site www.missingchildren.org.za.

Tractor Outdoor director Remi Du Preez

“Over the past few months there has been a frightening spike in the number of child kidnappings, abductions, human trafficking cases and missing children. We have been inundated with new reports daily.”

MCSA coordinator Bianca van Aswegen

Boston ticks every Box on your post-school checklist!

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Fraud costs soar as cyber crooks diversify

Tech Reporter

Cybercriminals are attacking a wider set of payment methods and driving the cost of fraud to new highs, with South Africa particularly hard hit.

The latest LexisNexis True Cost of Fraud study indicates that the cost to businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) is now 3.49 times the amount of each transaction lost to fraud.

fraudulent since synthetic identities include some legitimate data.

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The LexisNexis Fraud Multiplier, an estimate of the total amount of loss a firm occurs based on the actual dollar value of a fraudulent transaction, showed an increase from 2019 data of 12.3% in Germany, 27.2% in France, 34.6% in the Netherlands and 41.5% in South Africa.

Cybercriminals also vary on how they attack transaction chains. Credit transactions accounted for nearly half of fraud losses in 2019 when looking at costs by payment method. The latest study shows that criminals have diversified. While credit transactions still account for the single most fraud losses by payment method, there has been a marked increase in losses from digital wallets and direct deposit payment methods.

It also revealed a proportional resurgence in losses from traditional payment methods such as cash, cheque or gift cards, as many economies emerge from the pandemic.

Identity verification is a growing challenge across EMEA markets, marked by increasing use of synthetic identities, which fraudsters create by using a combination of fabricated information and personal information for a real person to build a new digital identity. It is often difficult for businesses to flag these as

Director of fraud and identity at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Jason Lane-Sellers says fraud has become more expensive for businesses because the volume of both human and bot-originated fraud continues to target transactions at scale.

“The other side of the story is that consumer transaction habits are changing and cybercriminals are adapting to these behavioural patterns. With more consumers using a variety of channels to transact, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for businesses wanting to authenticate digital identities and reduce fraud losses,” he says.

Lane-Sellers adds that businesses need a multi-layered offensive using technology and data sources to combat fraud and stave off financial losses.

“The increasing sophistication of some cybercriminals in deploying synthetic identities is one example where more robust, multi-layered solutions can dramatically reduce the risk to a transaction chain,” he says.

The study surveyed 834 risk and fraud decision makers during January and February. Respondents represented a wide spectrum of financial services and retail merchants.

LexisNexis director Jason Lane-Sellers

City explores urban economic regeneration

Sascha-Lee Joseph

The City of Joburg’s Economic Development department recently hosted a seminar to explore urban regeneration for sustainable regional economic development at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown.

In his welcome address Economic Development MMC Nkululeko Mbundu said the Department desires to fulfil its objective to move Joburg into a business-friendly City.

based initiatives, special economic zones planned for the next three years as well as the Inner City Economic Development and Investment Roadmap. The City is open and eager for partnerships to help take our city out of the Intensive Care Unit and move it into a healthier state. We have to augment urban regeneration in order to ensure that our city is a player in the global economy,” said Mbundu.

Antrepreneur details road to achievement

Johannesburg - Children’s shoe brand Oratile Kids founder, entrepreneur Tsepiso Monamodi is one of the beneficiaries from the Clicks business to source more South African products.

The health and beauty retailer launched a supplier development programme in 2021 and added a portal on clicks.co.za via which local entrepreneurs can apply to become a supplier.

The Clicks Group said it plans to target over R4.5 billion sourced through black women-owned suppliers over the next three years.

Monamodi started her business with just one sewing machine, without even knowing how to sew.

“The lady who sold me the machine said, she would not sell me the machine if I could not sew. So I would go to her shop every Friday afternoon for lessons,” Monamodi recounts.

The idea for Oratile Kids was born from Monamodi’s quest to find shoes for her toddler. Her aunt had told her about soft shoes for toddlers that were available when Monamodi was a child, insisting that Monamodi buy them for her own little one. She searched for it but could only find one that was overpriced.

“I then taught myself how to make the shoes, which took me about six months.”

Monamodi sold her products at markets for about three years.

“That was my biggest learning experience because engaging with customers in this setting allowed me to hone the craft. When

the pandemic hit and markets were forced to close, I started using social media to sell my products, and that was when the business started to flourish and caught Clicks’ eye,” she said.

She says when she received a message on social media from the Clicks team she thought it was a hoax. But the interest was real, and Oratile Kids became a Clicks supplier when the first standalone Clicks Baby store opened at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in KwaZulu-Natal last year. Oratile Kids products, and those from other local brands, can be identified with the ‘locally sourced’ logo they carry in store.

Clicks brand executive Phathiswa Sefatsa said the retailer stocks close to 780 locally produced products in its stores and plans to grow this number.

“Sourcing locally is an important part of building healthier futures for South Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises, and is what will create stable jobs and a healthier economy for our country,” Sefatsa says.

Oratile Kids reports sales growth of 34% since it started selling through Clicks.

“They have helped us to be more consistent in terms of the products we are delivering. They also want to help us enhance our offering,” Monamodi says.

She adds that they have started engaging about an enterprise development plan.

They will be helping us to get factory space, more machinery and to increase the number of stores that we are in,” she says.

“There is a need to identify focus areas that will lead the City into achieving these objectives. If we look at the past five years it is evident that we have been in a state of decline. With poverty and unemployment at its highest, it is a priority for us to support small and medium-sized business. We can do this by ensuring that there are opportunity centres throughout the regions, which support these businesses from start to finish,” Mbundu said.

He added that the department is exploring the tourism space, addition of two more mobile opportunity centres to the existing mobile centre and the nine others across the city.

“Other projects include precinct-

Portfolio Head for Economic Development and Investments at the South African Local Government Association (Salga), Zamo Gwala said urban regeneration is an integrated approach that aims to resolve economic, environmental, physical and social conditions and problems in the urban setting.

“Taking on urban regeneration and planning spatial transformation will not be an overnight move as there is much to consider. We need to consider the finances, infrastructure, sanitation as well as overall service delivery challenges. It needs planning, input, fixing, rebuilding and research on those who demand it, need it and those who will be able to sustain and live of it. Given all the considerations, approaches and best practices in implementing urban regeneration for regional eco-

nomic development should be at the forefront of the decisions to ensure that nothing is wasted or done in vain,” Gwala said.

The City’s director for Integrated Regional Economic Development (IRED), Thato Davidson said the transformational urban regeneration process relied heavily on corporate engagement.

“While urban regeneration initiatives can be public or private sector led, the biggest impact requires the participation of the private sector as the biggest success factor due to financial reasons,” Davidson said.

Development programme for SMEs

Johannesburg - In partnership with the 22 On Sloane campus, African Bank has launched an Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) capacity building programme for small businesses.

Twenty supplier development and enterprise development businesses were shortlisted for the 12-month course and have started the programme, which includes tailored group sessions and one-on-one sessions, and will end in May next year. The SMEs are from varying sectors including ICT, agriculture, architecture, insurance, recruitment, marketing, corporate gifting, inte-

rior design and more. Major components of the programme are Business Readiness Level and Technical Capability Level.

The curriculum focuses on business readiness and helping SMEs to launch, scale and commercialise their businesses, and also assist with access to markets and funding. The bank said it will provide participants with guidance and support to start and grow their businesses in both local and global markets.

African Bank chief of staff Edna Montse said they partnered with 22 On Sloane to design and deliver the curriculum, and give participants

access to its networks of global start-up ecosystem enablers, corporates and investors.

“The programme offers capacity development aimed at driving market and investor readiness in SMEs. It also facilitates access to markets and access to capital for the SMMEs. An additional grant allocation of R1 million will be awarded to the top five performers at the end of the programme for use in their businesses. We trust that participants will make the best use of this opportunity and work together with us to get their businesses and products ready for market,” she said.

Economic Development MMC Nkululeko Mbundu

Investment associate Zinhle Mncube, African Bank head for human capital Lindiwe Miyambu, Chief of staff Edna Montse and operations executive Darryl Adriaanzen

Oratile Kid founder Tsepiso Monamodi

Partnership supports pregnant mothers

Johannesburg - Following an event in which Balfour mall partnered with the Flourish programme to support mothers, the project’s franchisees will host classes for pregnant mothers from 2 July at the centre.

The recent Mother’s Day event brought together organisations that work with women and address their issues, such as People Opposing Women Abuse and Vuna.

Flourish is a programme of the Grow Great campaign, a network of pregnancy classes that support moth-

ers in the first 1 000 days of a child’s life. The antenatal classes focus on topics that include healthy pregnancy, breastfeeding, bonding with baby and antenatal depression.

Flourish franchisee Nodumo Makaza says the community comprises of mothers from all walks of life with a goal to raise healthy babies.

“This initiative is crucial in empowering mothers in communities which previously did not have access to antenatal classes. It helps them to learn more about healthy pregnancy.

Focus on plight of the homeless

Homeless shelters have become a place of hope for the displaced and marginalised, writes

Phetoho Maja

There is a lot of unverified information circulating on social media on pregnancy, and mothers risk using such information. We give them verified information and provide safe spaces where they get support. In our classes we talk about issues that affect mothers, such as dealing with stress as a pregnant woman, bonding with an unborn baby and savings for the future,” she says.

Makaza adds that through their partnership with Himalaya Wellness, all mothers attending classes at Balfour mall will receive a hamper from Himalaya as well as a Flourish branded bag.

A Johannesburg mother of two, Nomsa Qangase says she gained a lot of support by attending the classes and she is a better mother. “Since I had a child seven years ago I thought I knew everything about motherhood but realised there was much I did not know, and the support from other mothers was special. I think all mothers deserve this opportunity.”

Balfour mall marketing manager Kurt Keshwar says this partnership provides safe spaces for women. “It also allows them to open up on gender-based violence and mental health,” Keshwar adds.

The arrival of the Corona virus pandemic came as a rescue, according to Samuel Monyemore, 35, from Benoni in Ekurhuleni. He was once a homeless person among many vulnerable groups which had to be protected when the State of Disaster was proclaimed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March 2020. Despite many challenges that left him vulnerable and having to fend on the streets, Monyemore says he is now one of the contributors to the economy through his farming project that he started with the help of the Manger Care Centre, a shelter for homeless people in Benoni, funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development.

Monyemore is one of over 3 000 homeless beneficiaries who received support from the Gauteng government as a response to the disaster, during lockdown regulations.

This has given the Gauteng Department of Social Development a green light as part of its mandate of caring for the most vulnerable in society.

The department, in collaboration with municipalities, various NPOs and churches, were tasked to place people living on the streets in temporary shelters, and provide services such as meals, treatment for substance abuse, medical screening, counselling, and some were reunified with their families.

According to a research done by the Cape Metropolitan Council in 2017, homeless people are among the most vulnerable in society, and live under stressful conditions with challenges such as illiteracy, hunger, drug abuse, malnutrition, sexual exploitation and crime.

The Bill of Rights, as a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa, enshrines the rights of all people in our country, and affirms the

democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. Therefore, as South Africa observes Youth Month, it is indeed important to highlight and note some of the key achievements from young people who remained mindful of the challenges around them, but were geared up to overcome them. Monyemore is now a proud owner of hectares of land, and his farming project has two green houses, which provide employment and offers consultation to prospective farmers, thanks to stakeholders such as the Gauteng Department of Social Development and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

However, it remains a cause for concern looking at the growing number of people living on the streets. People of all ages are affected, and some are more vulnerable to abuse. Therefore, it is necessary that a concerted effort be made to deal with homelessness, to ensure that homeless people do not return to life on the streets but are offered a lifeline and integrated support to live like normal citizens.

Gauteng Social Development acknowledges that ending homelessness can only be attained through a multi-stakeholder approach, in which communities, civil society organisations, government agencies and private sector, work together to implement systematic responses that will help prevent recurring homelessness.

It therefore calls on all stakeholders and role players to band together in curbing homelessness.

Phetoho Maja, is a senior communication officer, media liaison at the Gauteng Department of Social Development.

Life jail for girlfriend’s killer

Johannesburg - On Tuesday the Gauteng high court sentenced a man to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend, who was a legal practitioner.

The man, Kabelo Rasepae stabbed Olive Motsomi multiple times at her Krugersdorp home in January 2020 then fled to North West, where he was arrested.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Rasepae took Motsomi to Robinson hospital in Randfontein and told the staff that they had been victims of a house robbery.

“He left her there saying he was

rushing back home to attend to their children. Motsomi died later that day. He then fled to Rustenburg, where police found him with Motsomi’s vehicle in January 2020. The investigating officer followed up on information from Motsomi’s family, that the couple did not have any children, and that Rasepae called the deceased’s brother on Christmas in 2019, informing him that they had ended their relationship,” she said. A statement from state Advocate Patric Mkhari indicated that Motsomi’s mother was traumatised as she could not accept that her child was killed in such a brutal way.

Mothers receiving gifts from Himalaya trainer Anne Chabveka and Flourish’s Nodumo Makaza during a recent baby shower

Officials highlight dangers of smoking

Increase in flu infections

Johannesburg - the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has said the Southern Hemisphere 2022 influenza (flu) season started in the week from 25 April, and numbers appear to have been increasing.

A similar trend has been viewed from Australia, where cases tripled from 25 April, compared with the previous two weeks. It has been reported in both Australia and SA that the 2022 flu season may be longer and more severe.

Flu is a respiratory tract infection caused by an influenza virus infection that can spread quickly; causing seasonal epidemics that may get people severely ill or dying. Each year flu causes up to 650 000 deaths worldwide, with the highest numbers in sub-Saharan Africa. Annually, there are over 11 000 flurelated deaths in SA, and almost half of the close to 50 000 people experiencing severe flu may need to be hospitalised. Flu viruses circulate at different times of the year, in SA the most impact is between May and September.

Sanofi SA medical head Dr Lourens Terblanche said there appears to be a general increase in cases of flu both locally and abroad.

“While non-pharmaceutical interventions like lockdowns, social distancing and mask wearing related to the Covid-19 pandemic afforded less opportunity for the influenza virus to circulate, the easing of the restrictions may facilitate a surge in flu cases,” Terblanche said.

The World Health Organization and the NICD have stated that flu

vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease.

“In SA annual flu vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk of complications or severe outcomes of influenza. The vaccine is however available for any individual from the age of six months to help prevent influenza infection,” Dr Terblanche said.

Groups targeted as high risk in the Department of Health’s 2022 flu vaccination campaign are healthcare workers, persons aged 65 or older, those with cardiovascular disease, including chronic heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes, chronic lung disease including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and people living with HIV, as well as pregnant women.

“Even in the absence of specific comorbidities, it is important to recognise persons aged over 65 years, or younger than two years, as being at risk, as well as pregnant women,” Terblanche said.

The health department has indicated that the flu vaccine may be given at the same time as the Covid-19 one, each in a different arm.

“Tobacco causes diseases that include cancer, emphysema, pneumonia, tongue cancer, stroke, heart disease, eye and ear disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma and a host of other conditions.”

Lesego Lala

As part of the recent World Tobacco-Free Day, Region F Environmental Health practitioners held an awareness campaign at the Wanderers taxi rank in the Joburg CBD. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the day aims to inform the public about the dangers of tobacco use, tobacco companies’ business practices and efforts to fight tobacco addiction.

The WHO established the World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to raise awareness about the global tobacco epidemic, and avoidable deaths and illnesses it causes.

The City of Joburg’s health department raised awareness about the deadly and harmful effects of tobacco use in the community.

This year’s World No Tobacco Day was held under the theme Tobacco threat to our environment, and focused on the environmental and health harm caused by tobacco use.

City of Johannesburg health practitioner Sibusiso Mti said: “The campaign focuses on encouraging those who smoke to quit, and to have an

environment without smoking.”

Mti said those smoking hookah (a water pipe used to smoke flavoured tobacco), may believe it to be harmless; but it has a similarly negative impact on their health.

“Tobacco causes diseases that include cancer, emphysema, pneumonia, tongue cancer, stroke, heart disease, eye and ear disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma and a host of other conditions. Tobacco not only costs human lives but also causes damage to the environment,” Mti said.

Resident Roney Ratshipaladze said tobacco smokers risk the lives

and health of themselves and their loved ones. “People who smoke should put their loved ones first in their priorities, as smoking affects all aspects of our lives.”

Health experts advise that it is never too late or too early to quit. The earlier you quit, the sooner your health improves.

Quitting smoking has advantages that include improved lung function, a healthier body, improved senses of smell and taste, increased energy, reduced risk of lung and heart disease, and reduced risk of cancer death compared to someone who has smoked their entire life.

Warning on the use of heating devices

Johannesburg - The Emergency Management Services (EMS) has warned people to be extra cautious with their heating devices.

Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi says residents

must not leave heating devices unattended.

“We urge all our residents to exercise caution while using any heating devices. They must not leave them unattended while in use so

Boxer celeBrates 45 years as the community champion

Boxer is celebrating 45 years of service to South African and eSwatini customers this year and does not show any signs of slowing down in its pursuit of becoming a household name throughout these Southern African nations.

Established in 1977 within the coastal KwaZulu – Natal town of Empangeni, Boxer has evolved over the decades, growing from humble beginnings to over 380 stores across two countries and employing well over 25 000 people. “The key to Boxer’s growth and longevity is the constant endevour to be more for our customer, every day. We live the brand across the company and remain focused on providing a service to shoppers that is memorable,” said Boxer’s Managing Executive Marek Masojada.

The Company, which trades across three formats, Superstore, Liquors and Build, has entrenched itself in the hundreds of communities that it serves by constantly building on its ‘people first’ mantra.

“We employ locally, we empower our teams through education and further learning within our Boxer Training Department and most importantly we always seek to help the communities in the areas we trade through our Ubuntu Projects Division. That is a non-negotiable,” added Masojada.

The Boxer Discount model is a relatively unique form of retail in South Africa that relies on a targeted range of relevant items on shelves and a fo-

cus on confined labels to bring home vibrant and often unbeatable promotions. Coupled with constantly evolving service departments including Fruit and Veg, Deli, Bakery and the very popular Butchery, Boxer also offers a range of Value Added Services to its customers and offers a warm and welcome destination to millions of SASSA Grantees who receive this important monthly grant.

And it’s a business style that parent company Pick n Pay’s CEO Pieter Boone wholeheartedly supports and believes, so much so that he revealed for the first time that Boxer would seek to open a further 200 stores in the next few years.

“We are excited about this challenge.

As a Discounter we offer a unique experience to our shopper, one filled with market leading combos, discounts and offers; incredible in store service and an all under one roof experience underpinned by our tagline, ‘Never pay more than the Boxer price.’

I can confidently say that we are ready to bring our Discounter model to every corner of South Africa and, thanks to our 200 additional store target create employment opportunities for many while doing so,” added Masojada.

With four Distribution Centres, a massive and successful Meat Factory and consistently evolving innovation pouring out of its Head Office team in Westville, Boxer, with its Discount Model design is set to change the way we think about shopping.

that we can be able to prevent fire incidents. That includes things like heaters, paraffin stoves, braziers or imbawula, and also candles, they must not be left unattended while in use,” Mulaudzi says.

This year, Boxer celebrates 45 years of joyful service to shoppers in hundreds of cities, towns and communities across South Africa and eSwatini. With massive plans to expand in large numbers, the ‘Community Champion’ shows no signs of slowing down.

Smokers risk the lives of themselves and loved ones

Almost half of about 50 000 people with severe flu may be hospitalised

Young author joins Joburg’s student council

Johannesburg - Young author Stacey Fru has been elected into the Johannesburg Student Council executive.

The 15-year-old Fru was recently voted as Junior MMC for Community Development in the City’s Student Council for the next two years.

She is an award-winning learner, book enthusiast, community builder and internationally recognised child rights activist. Her first book, Smelly Cats was published when she was seven-years-old.

The student council comprises of youth representatives who deal with youth-related issues and speak on behalf of the youth.

Prior to the elections, the executives went through a leadership conference and participated in team-building activities.

She said she is excited about the role that has been handed to her.

“This fulfils my dreams of working with government to uplift African children,” she said.

Since she was eight-years-old Fru has involved communities through her Stacey Fru Foundation; which encourages children and adults to learn to read and write, and creates partnerships to

UJ Arts releases Romeo and Juliet podcast adaptations

Sneziwe Dube

UJ Arts & Culture has released its educational podcast drama series featuring Robin Malan’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in English and IsiZulu.

The play was translated by Nkululeko Ndhlovu and edited by Nomusa Sibiya at UJ’s Multilingual Language Services.

improve African children. That also includes buying her books and donating them to schools and libraries, and seeking donations to help her travel to rural schools, or provide transport for rural children to attend the foundation’s activities in urban areas.

Art gallery pays homage to prolific masterpieces

The theme aims to pay homage to some of South Africa’s most prolific masterpieces within the visual arts industry, while looking forward to the prospect of what is to come in this richly diverse and talented continent of artists.

Johannesburg - Absa has opened a new art gallery in the piazza of Towers Main in Main Street.

The gallery officially opened its doors with the first exhibition titled Voices, Past and Present, comprising artworks recently exhibited at the 2022 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK).

The theme aims to pay homage to some of South Africa’s most prolific masterpieces within the visual arts industry, while looking forward to the prospect of what is to come in this richly diverse and talented continent of artists.

Senior specialist art curator at Absa Group, Dr Paul Bayliss said: “The new gallery gives us the opportunity to continue supporting and showcasing great work by artists from around the continent. The exhibition allows everyone the opportunity to view the wonderful art pieces that were showcased at KKNK. In addition, we are excited to finally open our doors to those who would like to visit the Absa Gallery from June.”

The virtual launch was hosted on the Absa Art Hot Spot platform, where visi-

Recorded by UJ Arts Academy students under direction of Nompumelelo Mtshali with mentorship by Dr Jerry Mofokeng, the series includes an educational segment presented by Ashalin Singh and Nompumelelo Mtshali. The project, made available online at no cost, is

to assist learners who are required to learn the Shakespeare play to make a connection with the work.

Head of UJ Arts & Culture Pieter Jacobs says: “In an attempt to continue fostering appreciation for the arts and to ensure students continue benefitting from practising the arts during this challenging time, the intention of was to make learning material accessible to secondary learners at no cost.”

The isiZulu drama series features the voices of Bayanda Malevu, Nomthandazo Gumede, Tumelo Mogoane, Buqaqawuli Gobinca, Sinemivuyo Mpulu, Seakga Tladi, Nokukhanya Zulu, Nick Moyo, Fumo Chabalala, Ismail Skhosa-

na, Siphesihle Ndzimande, Ismail Skhosana and Cindy Hlungwani.

The English drama series features the voices of Sinemivuyo Mpulu, Britney Adams, Fumo Chabalala, Buqaqawuli Gobinca, Nomthandazo Gumede, Tumelo Mogoane, Kagiso Shilabje, Seakga Tladi, Nick Moyo and Ismail Skhosana.

The podcast drama series is available at no cost on the UJ Arts & Culture’s website. To access it visit https://arts.uj.ac.za/events/shows.

tors had an opportunity to view parts of the exhibition. Launched in 2021, the platform affords audiences the opportunity to experience arts and culture content that was traditionally only available through gallery visits.

While the opening of the new art gallery allows artists to showcase their work virtually, art lovers can visit the Absa Gallery in person and witness the work created by various artists.

The visits must be arranged by appointment via email gallery@absa.co.za.

Young author Stacey Fru

Head of UJ Arts & Culture Pieter Jacobs

The project, made available online at no cost, is to assist learners who are required to learn the Shakespeare play to make a connection with the work

Senior specialist art curator at Absa Group, Dr Paul Bayliss

Banyana coach announces AWCON squad

Sports Reporter

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree

Ellis has announced the final squad to represent South Africa at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Morocco from 2 to 23 July.

Ellis has selected a team of 23 players plus three who will be on the standby list. She praised the Hollywoodbets coaches for their work in keeping the players fit, and the players for the effort they displayed during the local preparation camp.

“Choosing the final squad for the tournament was a difficult task for the technical team. I thank the coaches for the fantastic job they have done since the league started. We had a good week and a half, and with many of the overseas

based players joining us many have stepped up. We had a good mix of youth and experience for the past week and half,” Ellis said.

Sasol senior manager for group brand and sponsorship Nozipho

Mbatha congratulated the players called up for national duty.

“These ladies worked hard during their campaign to qualify for this important tournament, and each selected player deserves to be part of the squad. We are grateful for the team to have made it to this point.

I implore them to go out there and play their hearts out because we and fans will be watching them closely and cheering them on from home.

As a South African I want them to bring that cup home and secure that place to be a part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023,” she said.

The Banyana Banyana Squad

Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Regirl Ngobeni

Defenders: Karabo Dhlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe, Janine Van Wyk, Bambanani Mbane, Bongeka Gamede, Noko Matlou

Midfielders: Refiloe Jane, Nomvula Kgoale, Linda Motlhalo, Thalea Smidt, Kholosa Biyana, Amogelang Motau, Robyn Moodaly, Sibulele Holweni

Forwards: Jermaine Seoposenwe, Melinda Kgadiete, Noxolo Cesane, Nthabiseng Majiya, Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia

Standby players: Kebotseng Moletsane, Tiisetso Makhubela, Thubelihle Shamase