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24 - 31 December 2020

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Inner City Gazette

Continental free trade to begin

The AfCFTA’s plans to boost intra-African trade by 60% by 2034, by eliminating almost all tariffs, creating an economic bloc of $3.4 trillion. World Bank estimates indicate that if fully implemented, the AfCFTA will lift 30 million Africans out of extreme poverty and 70 million from moderate poverty.

AfCFTA secretary-general Wamkele Mene

Johannesburg - Considered the world’s largest single market in terms of the number of member nations, Africa’s blueprint for free trade begins on January 1, bringing together over 50 economies. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was supposed to be operational months ago, but was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and slow pace of negotiations. The AfCFTA aims to build an integrated market in Africa that will see a pool of over a billion people with a combined GDP of approximately US$3.4 trillion. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the AfCFTA will increase intraAfrica trade from the current 16% to approximately 52% by 2022. A brainchild of the African Union (AU), the AfCFTA has been signed and ratified by 55 African states since its inception in July 2019, af-

ter about 17 years of negotiations. Internal trade within the continent of about 1.2 billion people currently stands at 16%, while 65% of their commerce is with European countries. The AfCFTA’s plans to boost intra-African trade by 60% by 2034, by eliminating almost all tariffs, creating an economic bloc of $3.4 trillion. World Bank estimates indicate that if fully implemented, the AfCFTA will lift 30 million Africans out of extreme poverty and 70 million from moderate poverty. AfCFTA’s secretary general Wamkele Mene said Africa continues to be trapped in a colonial economic model, and has to aggressively implement the new deal. “The whole intention of the idea is to build regional value chains and to allow Africans to trade commodities and also more value-added goods. If Africa does not proceed

down this road it will increasingly become irrelevant,” Mene said. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that through the trade area, the continent’s leaders are determined to build strong and inclusive economies through industrialisation and the beneficiation of the minerals and commodities. “The AfCFTA is a significant development that will change trade patterns and has the potential to transform African economies. It will encourage economic diversification, beneficiation of our minerals and resources and value-addition to seize the opportunities arising from an increasingly open African continental market. We expect that in the new year, preferential trade in Africa will begin with significant product coverage and will be expanded over the coming years,” he said. Ramaphosa added that even prior to the agreement on the AfCFTA,

South Africa had already begun implementing an investment-led trade strategy. He explained that the country has sought to use its outward foreign direct investment in the rest of the continent to encourage balanced growth and localisation. Between 2014 and 2018, South African firms invested over R160 billion in different parts of the continent. This has made South Africa the fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment on the continent in value behind the US, France, UK and China. “Government has been working to prepare South Africa-based firms for their participation in the AfCFTA. We want to ensure that our firms, entrepreneurs, small enterprises and workers benefit from the trading opportunities that will arise as the AfCFTA commences to operate,” President Ramaphosa said.

Inner-city Gazette

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Degrees

B o s to n

Pretty much everyone who management and human undertakes a journey to resources management. university is thinking about Using these skills and the the amazing career prosknowledge you gain in the pects they will have once degree, you will be able to they complete their bachparticipate in legal aspects elor’s degree. In recent of commerce required by years the graduate job your company.” market has become increasSchwartz says that “running ingly fierce, and standing out and operating a business amongst all the other recent these days is a minefield in graduates is tough. It is likely terms of what you have to to take some years to climb know, what you can say, how the career ladder, and a you can advertise, what the mind-set of continuous learnimplications are for opening a ing is an advantage. new business, handling competitors – a whole host of is“Tomorrow’s leaders must be equipped with new-age sues arise.” competencies in order to Nonhlanhla Dube of Boston says that, “your social have successful careers.” So science degree prepares you says Ari Katz, CEO of Bosfor many careers in many ton City Campus & Business fields. It is a powerful acaCollege. “This will ensure that graduates will be in demand demic foundation that proby employers,” he says. vides you with the opportuAccredited by the Council nity to develop an important on Higher Education, at level skills set. These include: oral 8, the Boston Postgraduate and written communication, Diploma in Management interpersonal, teamwork, (PG Dip) provides prospectechnical, analytical, critical tive graduates, (with or withthinking, organizational, and out work experience), with problem solving skills”. a unique postgraduate opWhat makes the Boston portunity to gain advanced BSocSci special? Boston knowledge of business and has intentionally created opgeneral management. Incor- Tomorrow’s leaders must be equipped with new-age competencies portunities within the degree for students focussing on porating core management psychology, sociology, ancompetencies for emergsomeone who is focussed, driven, ing and aspiring leaders in our rap- committed, determined, and a go- thropology and economics to also idly evolving societies, students will getter,” says Charmari Wolmarans CA take business management related acquire skills and values such as (SA), Academic and Quality Manager subjects. Graduates will not only unadaptability, assertiveness, conflict at Boston City Campus & Business derstand people systems, they will resolution, integrity, interpersonal, College. Enrol for the Bachelor of also be able to transfer that directly into good business practice and ethiprofessional etiquette, leadership, Accounting at Boston. cal leadership. communication, time management Would you like to join an elite group The BSOcSci opens employment and frustration tolerance. of Commerce graduates with acuopportunities in fourth Industrial “The accounting and finance fields men in Business, Finance; and Law? Revolution thinking and specific skills offer wonderful prospects for those Consider a career in commerce with development. This makes graduates who have a passion for numbers, a focus on the legal aspect of this immediately beneficial in the marketdetail and analysing information. The exciting industry. According to Barry place and society. industry expects that an accountant Schwartz, Attorney at Law, “With a The Boston Degrees can be done has integrity, killer time management BCom in Law you will master the part time, full time as well as through skills, great organisational and com- theory, principles and applications munication skills and a strong sense of law and commerce, including online lectures in order to accommoof ethics. I see an accountant as business, mercantile law, financial date the training needs of students.

24 - 31 December 2020

Facebook builds tool to summarise news articles Users will supposedly also be able to ask the tool questions about the news and have it reply Isobel Hamilton

acebook recently announced that it is working on a tool that will read news articles and automatically generate summaries of them for users, BuzzFeed reported. The AI assistant tool is called TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read), and will be audio-enabled so it can read its bullet-pointed summaries out loud. Facebook users will supposedly also be able to ask the tool questions about the news and have it reply. Facebook chief technology officer Mike Schroepfer presented the TLDR tool, an acronym commonly used online, the publication reported. “TLDR will be an AI-assistant tool, which will automatically generate bullet-point summaries of news articles.” Schroepfer said the tool would also be voice-enabled, meaning users will be able to have it read summaries out loud to them. BuzzFeed’s Ryan Mac said TLDR will be built to answer questions about news stories. “For example, you could ask Hey Facebook, how many people will this vaccine help, and it supposedly

Facebook technology officer Mike Schroepfer

would spit out an answer,” Mac said. Facebook was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Business Insider. At the same meeting, executives touted much more futuristic ambitions, including a neural sensor for letting people control their phones with their thoughts, a universal translator tool, and a VR social network. Facebook’s relationship with the news industry has been fraught at times. The company has been in a long fight with Australian regulators over whether it and other tech giants should pay to license news content shared on its platform. On December 1 Facebook announced that it would pay big media outlets in the UK to license their content as part of a new, dedicated news tab feature. Business Insider

24 - 31 December 2020

Inner-city Gazette

City launches innercity housing project

These include refunds for accommodation, catered student meals and other fees for the 2020 academic calendar, and processing of credits has already been started

“The objective is to address housing demand and promote establishment of quality rental options. The development is part of the city’s turnkey projects to address lack of affordable housing in the city.” Wits communications head Shirona Patel

Wits refunds students

for unused services Braamfontein - Wits University has agreed to reduce fees for a number of services that were not used by students owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The university’s head of communications Shirona Patel said these include refunds for accommodation, catered student meals and other fees for the 2020 academic calendar, and processing of credits has already been started. “We are committed to doing all we can to assist students and families, while keeping the university

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sustainable. We hope these refunds will go somewhere towards alleviating the pressure that is felt by the students and their families,” Patel said. Wits SRC president Mpendulo Mfeka said this is a victory for students. “We started our position in a statement and in various media platforms to say, we as the SRC are calling for a fee reduction for 2020 academic year. We want to state that we have won this argument,” Mfeka said.

Jeppestown - The City of Joburg has launched a social housing project on Main Road in Jeppestown. According to the City the Long Street housing project, located at Extension 38, along Main Road in Jeppestown is a R1.6 billion initiative that is led by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco); which will consist of one and twobedroom communal rental units. This will be 1 336 units of four-storey apartment blocks to accommodate residents with income ranging from R3 500 to R15 000 per month. Housing MMC Mlungisi Mabaso said this development will go down in history as a mega project initiated during his tenure. “The objective is to address housing demand and promote establishment of quality rental options. The development is part of the city’s turnkey projects to address lack of

affordable housing in the city. This is our humble contribution to Johannesburg residents and changing people’s lives for the better,” Mabaso said. He pleaded with residents to own and protect such projects, as it is a massive breakthrough for them. “With this investment thousands of job opportunities will be created; and a minimum of R67 million will be set aside for local small, medium and micro businesses. Other areas within the city have been identified and will also benefit from the R1.6 billion that has been set aside for mega projects. We will continue to launch affordable housing projects of this nature, even in the upmarket communities, as we are going to launch other mega projects in other parts of the city that include Rivonia, Sandton, Diepsloot and Midrand,” Mabaso explained.

Housing MMC Mlungisi Mabaso

Inner-city Gazette

News

24 - 31 December 2020

Team seeks technology to rate Covid-19 infection probability

Professor Simon Connell

Johannesburg - University of Johannesburg engineering faculty and Wits University Perinatal HIV Research Unit researchers have developed technology to estimate time evolving probability of Covid-19 infection, using droplets and surface films in selected environments. UJ physics Professor Simon Connell said the project is inspired by that there are many situations where it is not possible to apply the two metres physical distancing for preventing transmissions. “We need to understand what happens to the time evolution of the

virus in droplets entrained in fluid flows in enclosed spaces. “It is important to understand what the effects of engineered medical interventions are, and how they can be optimised,” Connell said. He added that the researchers are developing tools that can predict the evolving infectiousness of Covid-19 contained in respiratory droplets, after they are coughed or sneezed out. “With our modern data intensive approach, we can collect, quantify and compare data on the droplet infectiousness based on local en-

vironmental conditions,” Professor Connell said. He said the technology may be deployed in places where people gather, that include schools, universities, taxi ranks, inside taxis, clinics, hospitals, mines and care homes. Wits Perinatal HIV Research Unit executive Professor Neil Martinson said: “Accurate prediction of the infection risk in these places will allow us to model environmental modifications, such as extraction fans, UV light and strategically placed air vents that could prevent transmission of Covid-19 and TB.”

Man killed in

tavern fight

Johannesburg - Last Friday police arrested a 32-year-old man for murder after he allegedly stabbed and killed a 23-yearold man outside a tavern at corner Anderson and Ntemi Piliso streets. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the deceased was stabbed once in the upper body with a screwdriver. “They were enjoying themselves inside the tavern and went outside where they fought. Paramedics certified him dead on the scene. The motive for the murder is not yet known, investigation is underway,” Mbele said.

Expert identifies Covid-19 vaccine suited for Africa

Professor Shabir Madhi

Johannesburg - The latest Covid-19 vaccine proven to be safe and effective is best suited to be deployed in Africa, according to Wits University Professor Shabir Madhi, who leads the clinical trial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine candidate locally. He has analysed the study’s peer-reviewed findings, recently published in the scientific journal, Lancet. The first peer-reviewed results of Phase 3 human trials show that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine candi-

date has an acceptable safety profile, and is effective against symptomatic Covid-19. Researchers presented a pooled analysis of the vaccine across two different dose regimens, resulting in an average efficacy of just over 70%. The vaccine’s efficacy against Covid-19 is 62% in participants who received two full doses and 90% for those first given a half, and then a full dose. Professor Madhi at the Wits University’s Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit said the Astrazeneca vaccine can also be stored at temperatures that are available in facilities of between 2°C to 8°C, and has a long shelf life of up to about six months. Madhi also factors in the affordability and availability of the vaccine. AstraZeneca is set to produce 200 million doses by the end of this year, and three billion by the end of 2021. Madhi said it depends on government as to when South Africa will get a Covid-19 vaccine. “That is in terms of its engagement, either through the COVID facility as well as bilateral agreements it needs to enter into with AstraZeneca or any other manufacturer of the Covid-19 vaccines that have been proven to be safe and efficacious,” Madhi said.

24 - 31 December 2020

Inner-city Gazette

News

The Gauteng government has warned against attending mass gatherings.

MEC urges adherence

to safety protocols

Event Venue

Gauteng is one of the provinces hardest hit by the Covid-19 second wave, and is likely to get worse over the festive period Johannesburg - During a site inspection at Park Station in the Joburg CBD Gauteng Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo expressed concern over lack of adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols, as the country faces the second wave of the virus. “Deeply concerning is that there is a huge number of people who are travelling out of the province. We had thought that perhaps with the announcements that have been made there would be lesser num-

bers, but the numbers are very high.” Mamabolo said. On Friday, South Africans were informed of the new Covid-19 variant which was found dominant in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and has found its way to Gauteng. The Gauteng government warned against attending mass gatherings. According to the National Health Department, Gauteng is one of the provinces hardest hit by the Covid-19 second wave, and is likely

Gunmen rob CBD hotel Johannesburg - On Sunday police arrested a 46-year-old man for business robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition at corner Pritchard and Polly streets. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said two suspects allegedly robbed the Town Hotel at corner Polly and Kerk streets. “They entered the reception and pointed firearms at the owner and his wife. They forced them to lie down

and took an undisclosed amount of money and fled. Police on routine crime prevention gave chase and arrested one suspect. His accomplice is still at large with a firearm and money taken from the hotel, and investigation is underway, Mbele said. Johannesburg Central station commander Brig Perumal commended swift response by officers in arresting the suspect, and urged them to trace and arrest the other suspect.

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Hire

Weddings End of year graduations MEC Jacob Mamabolo on site inspection at Park Station

to get worse over the festive period. South African Medical Association chairperson Dr Angelique Coetzee said the recently discovered 501.v2 variant is responsible for the current wave, and is spreading quickly with higher viral loads. “It means we see more people

sicker and more admitted to hospital because it spreads much faster. The variant revealed more mutations in its genetic material. With South Africa edging closer to one million corona virus infections, Gauteng residents should take extra precautionary measures,” she said.

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Inner-city Gazette

24 - 31 December 2020

Inner-city Gazette

The Arts

City theatre streams pantomimes Bongani Maseko

The initiative also aims to fill an education and experience void in the field of art collecting

Initiative to grow arts economy Sibusiso Mkwanazi

otoring company BMW South Africa, in partnership with Art Joburg, has launched the BMW Young Collectors company, with a vision to support the South African art market. The BMW Young Collectors aims to develop a new generation of art collectors by granting exclusive access to the inner-workings of the contemporary market. It creates an exclusive network engaging with contemporary culture. The initiative also aims to fill an education and experience void in the field

of art collecting, where a majority of collectors are older than 50 years and lack diversity. It affords future generations of collectors access to firsthand experiences with the country’s top artists, galleries and art patrons. This programming ensures the continent grows its Africa art economy for generations to come. BMW South Africa’s general-manager-customer, brand and channel development, Thilosh Moodally said: “For 50 years the BMW group has initiated and supported more than 100 cultural co-operations worldwide. As the local arm of the group, we are ensuring that the African art scene ben-

efits from this commitment in arts.” The initiative’s founding director Mandla Sibeko said he is passionate about art from Africa, for Africa. “I am elated about the narrative of African art and how the initiative engages with Africa through its creativity. While focusing on South Africa, the group will have global reach, which is key to continuing the vital work of inserting the works of African artists into the canon of art history. Through considered programming, the platform ensures that we are responsibly educating and growing our African art economy for generations to come,” Sibeko said.

his year producers Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay had to announce postponement of the pantomime Cinderella until 2021 for health and safety reasons. Joburg City Theatres CEO Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema says: “This year we took a very difficult decision to postpone the 2020 pantomime Cinderella until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we are treating our patrons to previous Janice Honeyman pantomimes on digital platforms to add magical moments as we take theatre to the comfort of their homes. We hope you enjoy watching with us and wish you good health, rest and recovery during this season as we prepare to come back with our normal programming in the new year.” Cinderella will be on The Nelson Mandela Theatre stage from November 6 to December 24 2021, but in the meantime Joburg Theatre is streaming four previous pantomimes which started on December 12 and proceed up to December 31, 2020. These are Jack and the Beanstalk (2012); Aladdin (2013);

uotable

uotes

By Prophet Philip Banda

Theatres CEO Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema

Peter Pan (2014); and Sleeping Beauty (2015). The pantomimes are streamed courtesy of M-Net, participating artists and creative teams. The pantomime streaming began with Jack and the Beanstalk between 12 and 16 December and Aladdin, 17 - 23 December. Peter Pan will be from 24 - 26 December; and Sleeping Beauty 27 - 31 December 2020. The shows are streamed from 19:00 to 21:00 on the Joburg Theatre Facebook page. For direct access visit https://www.facebook. com/joburgtheatre. For more info on the Cinderella pantomime starring Desmond Dube, Ben Voss and Bongi Mthombeni visit www.joburgtheatre.com.

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Uncertainty on resumption to occupy soccer stadiums Sports Reporter

occer fans last watched the game inside stadiums in March this year when the hard Covid-19 lockdown began and all matches were suspended. When the game was allowed to resume in July spectators were prohibited from entering the stadiums to watch the matches, to prevent Covid-19 infections. Some countries recently began to allow fans into stadiums, and there was hope that local authorities would do the same, but such hopes have been dashed by the second wave of the deadly virus. Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan noted that in Europe they recently started bringing fans back into the stadiums, but had to reverse their decisions because of the second wave of Covid-19 infections.

“This is an uncertain period; let us observe the rules because the next month or two are going to be extremely tough for all of us. If we comply and do things that are required we may see us getting to grips with this Covid-19 pandemic. At the moment I don’t think fans will be able to go to stadiums,” he said. The second Covid-19 wave has been projected to peak in the next two months. “We have to wait and see over the next two months, hoping there will be a decline in the number of infections and that a vaccine will be available. Maybe then we may see some return to normal life, and possibly fans returning to the stadiums,” Jordaan said. Playing in empty stadiums has unfortunately denied soccer clubs revenue and the motivation of players.

Soccer fans during a Soweto derby before the Covid-19 pandemic

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