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25 March - 1 April 2021

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Load-shedding solution ‘The current alternative energy options available to businesses are limited as imported batteries are not designed with load shedding in mind, as it does not last for long periods and are not of high quality. With this in mind, iG3N created the lithium-ion-based battery solution.’

Ishani Chetty

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Co-founder of iG3N Tumi Mphahlele

ohannesburg-based energy startup iG3N has developed an innovative solution to curb the impacts of load-shedding for local businesses.

The lithium-ion-based battery solution provides businesses with an affordable way to store and use energy during a power outage.

According to a statement issued by a local electricity provider, Eskom, load-shedding may continue for the next five years with periodic electricity cuts becoming a common occurrence.

Co-founder of iG3N Tumi Mphahlele says the venture provides insight into the inspiration behind creating the lithium-ion-based battery solution.

“Global energy generation has become increasingly decentralised

and powered by renewable power sources. As a result, it requires a reliable and secure method of storing and dispatching electricity when it is needed. In South Africa, the main energy grid is unstable, and costs continue to rise. Businesses need to have a reliable and sustainable electricity supply so that they can continue operations without disruptions,” she says.

Founded in 2018, iGN3 is an energy solutions company that supplies high-quality energy storage units for both stationary and e-mobility applications. Overall focus on the startup is that it has created a mechanism that supports large-scale adoption of clean technologies.

In a statement on its LinkedIn page, it aims to reduce Africa’s carbon footprint by supporting adoption and implementation of renewable energy and clean technologies.

According to the startup, the current alternative energy options available to businesses are limited as imported batteries are not designed with load shedding in mind, as it does not last for long periods and are not of high quality. With this in mind, iG3N created the lithium-ion-based battery solution.

Mphahlele provides insight into the capabilities of the patent and innovatively designed battery.

“The batteries can be charged via solar power or through the grid and are designed to last at least ten years,” she says.

Although there are alternative solutions to businesses, many of these are costly, such as the implementation of solar panels as a renewable energy source.

“Many companies will sell you more than you need. While we encourage people to convert to

solar, we’ve designed our batteries to work alone as well,” adds Mphahlele.

Not only can the solution be implemented in large to small scale businesses, but the battery has been designed to also be used in households, catering to the growing trend of remote working and keeping South African’s lights and power source switched on.

“Our products are available to larger companies, as well as to every major installer and distributor in South Africa. We also want to help the average household who is looking for a simple way to help keep the power on for remote work and learning. Providing families with a quick and effective solution to be able to live without the fear of loadshedding, is really where we see the greatest impact of our product,” says Mphahlele. Ventureburn

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Inner-city Gazette

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International Women’s Day 2021 The world has made unprecedented advances, sending a robot to explore the surface of Mars, and creating vaccines to end a pandemic. Despite this, no country has achieved gender parity. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, full economic parity is 257 years away!

This year’s International Women’s Day, (8 March) IWD2021 campaign focuses on #choose to challenge – starting with creating awareness, and calling out gender bias and inequality.

“It’s important to acknowledge women’s achievements, to address issues that are restricting the acceleration of gender parity, and to focus on solutions to remediate the situation,” says Kennedy Ndlovu, Executive Director, Boston Education Trust.

The Trust supports Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), which aims to realise South Africa’s full economic potential by enabling all South Africans to play their part in growing our economy.

“It is incumbent upon those who have the means to support transformation, and to comply with both the spirit and the content of the B-BBEE Act & Codes of Good Practice. The Boston Education Trust is focussed on the advancement of Black Females, Black Youth and the Disabled, by supporting them in studies in Information Technology and Communications” says Ndlovu.

While South Africa has made progress towards equality, there is still a long way to gender parity. For example, even though women make up over half of the population in South Africa, they remain under-represented in positions of authority. They comprise 32% of the Supreme Court of Appeal judges, 31% of advocates, 30% of ambassadors and 24% of executive heads of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Men hold 68% of all senior management positions; women hold 32% of executive positions.

Gender parity setbacks of COVID-19 A McKinsey analysis shows that women’s’ jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable during Covid-19 than men’s jobs.

Women make up 39% of global employment but account for 54% of overall job losses as of May 2020.

With Covid-19, women have borne

25 March - 1 April 2021

Crooks demand R800 million ransom from Acer Tech Reporter

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the brunt of the economic impact. “Pink collar” jobs were impacted by lockdown restrictions. The nature of work remains significantly gender specific, with women and men tending to cluster in different occupations. Women are disproportionately represented in sectors negatively affected by the Covid-19 crisis, such as accommodation and food service.

“Setbacks in work force participation and income, impacts on pensions and savings will have long-term implications for women’s economic security far down the road,” says Ndlovu.

Solutions: Ndlovu provides insights into key areas: 1. Education Investment in education from corporates, educational institutions, and government will provide opportunities for women to gain skills and knowledge in areas which are typically male dominated. The Boston Education Trust was established by Boston City Campus in order to increase the number of black female IT graduates.

2. Challenging current infrastructure Mckinsey’s previous research on the impact of long-term automation trends on work concluded that, worldwide, 40 million to 160 million women -7 to 24 percent of those currently employed may need to transition across occupations by 2030 as automation transforms

the nature of work.

3. Gender Pay Gap The ‘gender pay gap’ is the difference between the average wages of men and women, regardless of their seniority. ‘Equal pay’ is about ensuring that there are no unjustified pay differences between employees who perform ‘work of equal value’.

4. Business and workplace Assess internal culture and behaviour which contribute to the underlying problem. Organisations should identify and better understand how to attract, develop, and retain female talent at all levels.

5. Overcoming Bias Unconscious discrepancies have been inculcated in society for both males and females in terms of which gender is better suited for different types of work and thinking. Girls need to be taught from an early age about their potential beyond cultural and social stereotypes.

Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

So, do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women.

Celebrate women’s achievement.

Raise awareness against bias.

Take action for equality.

omputer manufacturing giant Acer has been hit by a REvil ransomware attack, where the threat actors demand the largest ransom of $50 million, about R800 million.

The REvil/Sodinokibi ransomware group has reportedly targeted computer manufacturer Acer with a $50 million ransomware attack, and the demand may grow, investigators say.

News of the double-extortion ransomware campaign surfaced last week, when attackers claimed on their data leak website to have breached Acer, Bleeping Computer reported. The ransomware gang announced on their data leak site that they had breached Acer and shared images of allegedly stolen files as proof. The documents included bank balances, financial spreadsheets, and financial communications.

Further investigation by LeMagIT and SearchSecurity revealed a ransom demand of $50 million. The former reports that attackers offered Acer a 20% discount on their initial ransom demand if it was paid

by March 17, and the company reportedly offered $10 million. As of March 22, the attackers gave Acer a new payment deadline of March 28 or they would double the demand.

In a press statement Acer said: “Acer routinely monitors its IT systems, and most cyber-attacks are well defenced. Companies like us are constantly under attack, and we have reported recent abnormal situations observed to the relevant law enforcement and data protection authorities in multiple countries.”

REvil is known for its high ransomware demands, notes Ivan Righi, cyber-threat intelligence analyst at Digital Shadows, though it is un-

Investigator Vitali Kremez known if any previous victims have paid up in full.

“The large demand suggests that REvil likely exfiltrated information that is highly confidential, or information that could be used to launch cyber-attacks on Acer’s customers,” he says.

Strategic advisor for SentinelLabs, Vitali Kremez, who specialises in investigating complex cyber-attacks and hacking incidents, mainly from the Eastern European cybercriminal ecosystem, said Advanced Intel’s Andariel cyber intelligence platform detected that the REvil gang targeted a Microsoft Exchange server on Acer’s domain.

“Advanced Intel’s Andariel system detected that one particular REvil affiliate pursued Microsoft Exchange weaponization,” Kremez said.

The threat actors behind the DearCry ransomware have already used the ProxyLogon vulnerability to deploy their ransomware but they are a smaller operation with fewer victims.

If REvil did exploit the recent Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities to steal data or encrypt devices, it would be the first time one of the big gamehunting ransomware operations ever used this attack vector.

25 March - 1 April 2021

Inner-city Gazette

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Digital Lab calls for mentorship applications Artists, producers, designers, collectives, students or entrepreneurs in creative and cultural industries across SubSaharan Africa may join up Johannesburg - The fifth edition of Digital Lab Africa (DLA) has called on African creatives to apply for its online mentorship and incubation programme.

In a statement DLA said artists, producers, designers, collectives, students or entrepreneurs from both creative and cultural industries from across Sub-Saharan Africa are encouraged to apply.

“Key categories the programme focuses on are immersive experience, video games, music, animation and digital art.”

DLA is led and managed by Wits University’s Tshimolong Digital Innovation Precinct, and supported by Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Applications for the animation and immersive experience categories close on 4 April, while applications for video, digital art and music categories can be submitted up to 11 July.

Those wishing to apply may visit the DLA website https://digilabafrica.com/submit-a-project/.

Council officials with the youths during the programme’s launch

City involves youths in council business Braamfontein - City of Joburg Speaker of Council Nonceba Molwele recently launched the Speaker’s Debating Cup in partnership with the Pan Africanist School Debating Council at the Council Chambers in Metro Centre, Braamfontein.

In a statement the City said the programme, which was launched last Wednesday, seeks to involve high school pupils and amplify their voices in council business and other issues affecting them, like unemployment, inequality and poverty.

“Research has shown that benefits of engaging in debate are numerous.

It builds confidence, public speaking skills and critical thinking among the participants, which are key skills in strengthening South Africa’s democracy. It was with this in mind that the Speaker felt the need to introduce the Speaker’s Debating Cup to bring

more awareness to communities, young people, principals, school governing bodies and parents.”

Molwele said debating can develop leadership skills in young people.

“It sharpens focus, enables pupils to articulate concepts and ideas. It also improves their public speaking skills, enhances critical thinking and critical analysis. This improves their ability to argue on certain ideas; it really grooms them to be all round level-headed leaders of now and the future,” she said.

The programme started with a debate on Junior Council elections.

Some speakers felt that the making of policies is not transparent and not publicised enough among the youth in the City; and that two years of office are not enough.

Many pupils agreed that the government needs to allow the youth to

engage in Council issues beyond just social media, but invite them to contribute to democracy. They suggested the involvement should start at high school level.

Head of the Johannesburg Student Council Brenda Andrews and Pan African Schools Debating Council vicepresident Itumeleng Mohanoe welcomed the participants.

Andrews said young people should be given a platform to participate in all kinds of debates, and no one should be left out.

“We need to bring as many

partners and young people as possible into the programme,” she said.

The debate was live on the City’s social media platforms, Speaker’s page “Nonceba Molwele” on Facebook and @Speaker CoJ on Twitter, Jozi Fm and streamed on Eldos FM, Radio Islam, Chai FM and Eastwave FM.

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Inner-city Gazette

25 March - 1 April 2021

Analogue TV switch-off begins “The department is collaborating with provincial governments and district municipalities to recruit local installers of government-subsidised decoders in order to accelerate the implementation of the broadcasting digital migration.”

Natasha Odendaal

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Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

he phased switch-off of South Africa’s analogue TV transmitters has started and will continue province-by-province until the end of March 2022, when the last transmitters will be closed in Gauteng.

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, together with broadcasters, implemented the phased switch-off in the Free State, starting with Boesmanskop and surrounding towns in the Xhariep district municipality on March 15, and Ladybrand and surrounding towns on March 16.

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said: “The switchoff in each province will be systematic and in phases, moving from one analogue transmitter coverage area to another, until all district municipalities within the province are completed.”

According to the project timeline estimations for the phased switchoff of analogue TV transmitters, the Free State will be switched off in March, followed by the Northern Cape in April, the North West, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape in May, KwaZulu-Natal in July, the

Western Cape in November, Limpopo in December and Gauteng in January 2022.

Ndabeni-Abrahams said the department is collaborating with provincial governments and district municipalities to recruit local installers of government-subsidised decoders in order to accelerate the implementation of the broadcasting digital migration.

“It is in the interest of the country that the broadcasting digital migration is completed to free up muchneeded spectrum, we are redoubling our efforts to accelerate the project,” she said. Creamer Media

Direct selling to boost SMME growth - DSA

DSA chairperson Rajesh Parshotam

Johannesburg -The number of small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) can easily double if sufficient attention is paid to the direct selling industry, according to the chairperson of Direct Selling Association of South Africa (DSA) Rajesh Parshotam.

A report by the Small Business Development Agency (SEDA) indicates that SMMEs grew by 2, 5% year-onyear from the first quarter of 2019 to the same period in 2020. The report says the number of SMMEs grew from 2, 55 million to 2, 61 million, employing over 10 million people during the period under review.

However, this growth in SMMEs was before the national Covid-19 lockdowns were introduced.

Parshotam says the direct selling industry accounts for more than 760 000 SMMEs, which are unlikely to be included in the SEDA survey.

“Our industry provides income generation and business opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people in SA and abroad. Globally direct selling accounts for more than 100 million SMMEs,” Parshotam says.

He adds that the entire SMMEs development ecosystem, both in the private and public sector, has for several years ignored the contribution and

Hijacking, kidnapping suspect arrested Johannesburg – On Tuesday detectives arrested a 35- year-old man for alleged kidnapping and vehicle hijacking at the Johannesburg Central police station.

Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the suspect and accomplices allegedly hijacked a 56-year-old man driving a Nissan NP 300 company vehicle at Wemmer Pan on 3 November 2020.

“The suspects blocked the victim with a Quantum minibus and a Toyota Corolla; pointed firearms at him, blindfolded and took him into the Quantum. The company vehicle was carrying vehicle parts worth R500 000; they took it to George Goch hostel where they offloaded it. The vehicle was recovered at the hostel through the help of residents who informed the

police. They took the registration of the Toyota and it was circulated.

The owner of the vehicle brought the suspect to the station. Investigation is underway,” he said.

Johannesburg Central station commander Brigadier Perumal commended good working relationship between the police and community; and urged officers to arrest the outstanding suspects.

impact of the direct selling industry.

A recent report from the National Youth Development Agency indicated that about 1 000 SMMEs received assistance from that agency.

Parshotam says none of those SMMEs were from the direct selling industry.

“The general perception seems to be that direct selling is a side-kick that people engage to generate extra income. While this may be true for some, direct selling is also a fulltime business opportunity for many people across the globe,” says Parshotam.

He believes that the direct selling industry is an opportunity-in-waiting that can get the economy quickly working again.

Parshotam says the direct selling industry needs recognition by appropriate government support structures so that it receives the support measures available to other types of SMMEs. “Given the challenging economic situation this is not the time to overlook any possible economic upliftment and income generating options,” he says.

He adds that the DSA, which represents around 24 direct selling businesses in South Africa, generating some R9 billion in sales annually and paying direct selling entrepreneurs around R2,4 billion in earnings annually, will continue to engage with the government.

Openserve CEO Althon Beukes

Cable theft disrupts businesses Johannesburg - Many small businesses rely on the internet to conduct their operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and disruption to connectivity due to cable theft and vandalism disrupts the businesses.

Openserve CEO Althon Beukes says copper line theft has a significant impact on connectivity, and costs the telecommunications sector millions of rands every year.

“Over 800 areas across SA have been identified as cable theft and vandalism hotspots, where thousands of copper DSL customers are affected. Copper line theft and damage cost Openserve over R60 million last year,” he says.

The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) estimates that cable theft costs the economy between R5 billion to R7 billion a year. As it results in power outages, this affects traffic lights, causing congestion on the roads; street lights, telephone lines, and network.

Users can report cable theft through the hotline 0800 124 000.

Life jail for killing dad, wife Johannesburg - Last Monday the Johannesburg High Court sentenced former Bank of Athens treasurer Vincenzo Pietropaolo to life in prison for killing his father and wife in 2017.

In November last year the court found him guilty of killing his father Pasqualino and his wife Manuela in 2017.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng called Pietropaolo a pathological liar when he said he was told to sign a police affidavit without knowing what it actually contained.

Pietropaolowas also sentenced to 15 years for being in possession of firearms without licences, five years for possession of ammunition without a licence, three years for firing an unlicenced firearm and three more for trying to defeat the ends of justice.

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Warning on third

Covid-19 wave

“We are dedicated in motivating and donating basic needs to students inside and outside of Joburg.”

Premier Makhura stressed that residents must avoid large crowds

Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur Thando Stephans

support students Johannesburg - A Joburg entrepreneur intends to help students in and outside the city with basic needs.

The entrepreneur, who is also a radio host, artist and speaker, Thando Stephans, says he works with an NGO called Sovuka Sikhanye.

“We are dedicated to motivating students and donating basic needs to them inside and outside of Johannesburg. I am a founder and creative director of South Africa’s number one sock brand called ZII Gallo Socks Cultural, African printed socks dedicated to tell our

African stories,” Stephans says.

He adds that the idea came after he lost everything during the Covid-19 Level 5 lockdown.

“I was sleeping in my friend’s couch when I thought of creating these socks. The aim is to sell 10 000 pairs of socks to create sustainable jobs; and more youths will get donations of basic needs and food from the sale of these socks,” he adds.

Stephans can be found on the social media platforms that include Instagram: imamtarp; Twitter: ImamTheGenesis and Facebook: Thando Imam Stephans.

CBD gunman nabbed Johannesburg – On Monday eve- and was arrested. Investigation is ning SAPS and JMPD officers ar- underway and the firearm will be rested a 31-year-old man for pos- sent for balsession of an unlicensed firearm listic testing and ammunition at corner Lilian to ascertain if Ngoyi and Nugget streets. it was used in Police spokesperson Captain Xoli c o m m i t t i n g Mbele said the suspect was cap- serious and vitured by CCTV cameras taking a olent crimes,” firearm out of a car and placing it Mbele said. on his waist.

“A description of the vent enue suspect was given and officers were dispatched to the place.

Weddings When the man saw police he tried to run End of year away but he graduations was cornered and searched.

They recovered a firearm Birthday parties with no serial number and Call for bookings live rounds.

He failed to produce a license to possess a firearm

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Johannesburg - The Gauteng government has warned about risk factors which could lead to a possible third wave of Covid-19 infections.

Delivering an update on the Covid-19 spread in the province scientists from the premier’s advisory committee said the Covid-19 risk index shows a high possibility of resurgence in the coming months due to the slow start to the vaccination programme and relaxed alert level 1 restrictions.

Dr Mary Kawonga of the advisory committee noted that while the country exited its second Covid-19 wave about five weeks ago, transmission in several areas was still on-going.

“The infections are not as high as they were 10 weeks ago but they are still not low enough as community transmissions continue,” she said.

She added that there are also other factors outside the epidemiological data, which could lead to a third Covid-19 wave in the country.

“Apart from variants and re-infection possibilities is that whenever we relax public health and social measures we see people changing their behaviour. The other factor is vaccination delays, not just in South Africa, but globally most countries

have not reached the vaccination levels they had anticipated when they started,” Kawonga said.

Together with social distancing, wearing of masks and hygiene practices, Kawonga advised against non-essential travel and gatherings ahead of and during the Easter weekend.

Premier David Makhura said government is bracing for an increase in infections resulting from the Easter break travelling. He said the move to lockdown Level 1 ahead of the long weekend is cause for concern.

“Winter is also approaching and not enough people have been vaccinated to reach population immunity, to delay the third Covid-19 wave,” he said.

He stressed that residents should avoid large crowds.

“All you need to get to the third Covid-19 wave is one or two events that have a huge impact in the different parts of the province, and then the trend is established that we are now getting increases, let us not lower the guard,” he said.

Dr Mary Kawonga delivers the warnings

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Inner-city Gazette

25 March - 1 April 2021

25 March - 1 April 2021

Inner-city Gazette

Market Theatre presents ‘tragically relevant’ play

Visual artists showcase work in ‘lockdown collection’

Lusanda Zokufa

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“Their reflections will become significant historical references for future generations, telling the story of this time.”

Johannesburg - Artists recently showcased their work in The Lockdown Collection (TLC) and Latitudes Online’s online auction called The Open Call Collection.

The curated collection was auctioned online, via the Latitudes Online platform, from 21 March 2021.

The proceeds will be split between the contributing artists, the Lockdown Collection’s Vulnerable Artists Fund and Latitudes Outreach.

TLC called for new artwork donations and submissions from South African artists, while Latitudes considered each of the hundreds of submissions, before selecting 21 emerging artists to contribute to the collection.

Among the 21 artists featured include Thuli Libisi, Cinthia Sifa Mulanga, Vivien Kohler, Fanie Buys and Puleng Mongale.

TLC co-founder and professor of visual arts at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Kim Berman said: “Their artworks capture the nuances

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The Arts

Visual artist Thuli Lubisi

of lockdown life and the effects of the pandemic. Their artistic reflections will become significant historical references for future generations, telling the story of this time.”

Latitudes Online co-founder Lucy MacGarry said: “The Lockdown Collection has demonstrated that art has value that we cannot put a price onto. Art can mobilise a community, it can uplift the vulnerable and it can tell a story that moves us.

The partnership with The Lockdown Collection is a welcome opportunity to leverage the strengths of both our organisations.”

Roberta Coci, co-founder of Latitudes Online said they expect their international network of buyers to be enthusiastic about this collection.

“This auction will introduce emerging artists to a global audience in an exciting format,” Coci said.

ontemporary theatre directors Khayelihle Dom Gumede and Phala Ookeditse Phala tackle a 30-year-old timeless play The Mother of All Eating, written by prolific playwright Zakes Mda. The play is staged at the Market Theatre’s Barney Simon Theatre as part of the 45 years celebration, from 16 March up to 11 April 2021.

Mda’s satirical masterpiece, set in Maseru, Lesotho, and first performed at the Sechaba Hall of the Victoria Hotel in Maseru in 1992, explores the debilitating culture of corruption and greed known as ‘eating’; synonymous with corrupt state officials who enrich themselves by abusing government funds.

Although The Mother of all Eating is over 30 years old, it remains as tragically relevant today as when it was first staged.

Mda penned a seminal take on how systemised corruption becomes normalised and embedded, how it imposes a steep cost on society, easily dwarfing that of street crime.

He reveals how an emphasis on the individual as evildoer misses the point that systems and individuals are mutually reinforcing.

Mda’s classic centres on a character called The Man, the principal secre-

tary to a government minister. The Man is corrupt to the core, and has enriched himself as he has moved through the ranks of government.

The play exposes the catastrophic effects of greed and the tragic effects that accompany unchecked corruption.

Performed by legends Vusi Kunene and Thulani Nyembe, this is an exhibition of every facet of the classic stage actor. The visual and narrative feast will have audiences confounded by ironic laughter and melancholic reflection as the play peals away at the disease and disease of the global themes of greed, corruption and classism.

While the play is a triumph on stage, it speaks to our fundamental failure to heed the warnings and lessons, etched in the classic narrative of the abuse of power.

Dom has directed over a dozen productions for the stage, including the award-winning Crepuscule, codirector of Milk and Honey and the acclaimed Tsotsi: The Musical. He was also the curator for the inaugural season of The Centre for The Less Good Idea founded by William Kentridge. He is also an internationally published academic and playwright.

Phala is the Animateur at The Centre for the Less Good Idea, an interdisciplinary incubator space for the

Veteran actor Vusi Kunene

arts, based in Maboneng, Johannesburg. He is a multi-award-winning theatre-maker and director whose works have won awards in South Africa, USA, Czech Republic and Australia.

South Africa has been riddled with corruption scandals since the days of apartheid to the current dispensation.

Current inquiries into state capture and PPEs misappropriation illustrate the insurmountable financial mismanagement and corruption that cripples the government’s capability to deliver services to its citizens.

For more call 011 832 1641ext 203.

Banyana coach prepares for

coming Afcon tournament “They have to be better prepared because there are now 12 teams to qualify, making the path more difficult, where the top four qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.” Johannesburg - Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis hopes to have her squad return to full fitness, gearing up for the coming Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers and the tournament in Morocco next year.

Ellis says she wants to use the FIFA calendar to bring in overseas-based players who have not been in the squad for over a year, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We will soon arrange friendly matches. We would like to bring

in the overseas-based players, because the last time they played was towards the end of 2019 when we faced Japan,” she said.

Ellis added that the players have improved because of the regular games they are involved in.

“For instance Nigeria and Cameroon have all the experienced players abroad, and when they return they change the mentality within the team, making everything better; we hope for a similar experience. Previously we had a few

overseas, now we have a lot of them there. Hopefully, they will take this team to a higher level and we must use this year to catch up.”

Ellis adds that they have to be better prepared if they are to get to Morocco, more so because there are now 12 teams to qualify for the tournament, making the path a bit more difficult, where the top four will qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The team recently completed a

five-day training camp in Johannesburg. Ellis took 18 locally based players through their paces at the SAFA Technical Centre; to assess their fitness levels, as they have not played since November last year.

“Though there will be more camps, it was important to have this gathering at the beginning of the year because the local leagues have not started. This first camp after five months of inactivity was crucial for the team,” said Ellis.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis