Inner City Gazette

Over R600 million relief for SMMEs

Johannesburg - In September 2021 the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Solidarity Fund’s Humanitarian Crisis Relief Fund (HCRF) launched a financial relief programme to help small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) recover from the effects of riots in KwaZulu Natal and parts of Gauteng, setting aside over R580 million for the purpose.

Solidarity Fund chairperson Gloria Serobe says they partner with organisations that have expertise needed to project requirements.

“By partnering with the NEF, the fund was confident that this financial aid would reach the businesses that need it the most. This demonstrates the strength we have when we step forward in solidarity,” Serobe says.

She adds that despite the shock, community members stepped up to defend their neighbourhoods.

“Businesses and communities were saved, but the damage was great. It became clear that help was needed to assist in rebuilding. As a tribute to a winning partnership, SMMEs, which form the heart of our economy, and thousands of jobs have been saved,” Serobe says.

NEF chief executive officer Philisiwe Mthethwa says R308 million was set aside for a concessionary credit-facility commitment by the NEF, while the R273 million committed by the Solidarity Fund was earmarked as grants for blending with NEF funding.

“Funding has been approved for 140 sites, with a combined value of R623

million supporting 5 562 jobs. The partnership has been able to achieve more than its initial commitment through leveraging its partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC),” she adds.

Among the funding criteria applicants had to be a registered company, close corporation or co-operative in good standing with SARS. Applicants were also required to demonstrate that jobs lost would be restored or increased within 12 months of receiving the funding, and that they were negatively impacted by the unrest.

The unrest resulted in damage estimated in excess of R30 billion on GDP, placing more than 150 000 jobs on the line.

The NEF deployed investment profes-

sionals to assist entrepreneurs whose businesses had been harmed.

“The teams engaged stakeholders including entrepreneurs, local government, property owners and business organisations,” adds Mthethwa.

Through the DTIC, government availed R3.85 billion to assist businesses in distress. A total R650 million was allocated by the DTIC for the NEF to rescue businesses. For this purpose, R100 million was allocated from the NEF’s balance sheet.

“The NEF has approved 205 transactions helping 145 businesses to a combined value of R881 million, supporting 8 013 jobs. The number of transactions under consideration amount to R245 million, with a potential impact of 1 200 jobs,” Mthethwa adds.

NEF CEO Philisiwe Mthethwa

Top ransomware attacks this year

Tech Reporter

Think iT – a career For now and For your FuTure

Why did you choose this career?

For as long as I can remember, I have always had an interest in technology and so my career path in Information technology was the logical path to follow. What formal training did you undergo, and where?

I completed a computer technician certificate, diploma in systems development, and a number of short learning programs from a number of resources (online, seminars, etc.). Be warned – A career in IT means lifelong learning. You always need to update and upgrade your skills in order to remain relevant.

What does your job entail?

I oversee the entire network of Boston (that has over 47 support centres nationwide) as well as all information technology systems to ensure our business and academic systems run smoothly without error. I work closely with a number of service providers day to day, investigating new systems and improving on current systems. I oversee the IT staff members’ tasks to ensure resources and time are used optimally.

What do you enjoy most?

The tasks I enjoy most about my career is, investigating and configuring new systems. There is nothing better than sourcing and implementing a new system that helps make everyone’s lives in the company a little easier.

What do you least enjoy?

I love my job it’s really cool! So it’s difficult to even come up with a list of things I don’t really enjoy. But if I had to name one it would be having to investigate connectivity issues on the service provider’s side. When this part of the system fails, I am hounded by the staff!

Describe an average day?

An average day for me consists of responding to A LOT of emails, while assisting with IT Projects on the go. As a manager my job entails a lot of admin. Should there be an issue with any of the systems I would also assist the support to in investigating the cause to get everything up and running as soon as possible.

3 important qualities that your position requires?

Important qualities to have as an IT Manager would be people skills, multi-tasking abilities and leadership skills. These are often learned on the job, which is why it

is important to start at a technical level using your skills and learn managerial skills on the job. I would also recommend leadership and managerial courses such as Boston BCom, Diploma in Business Management or the Higher Certificate in Business Management.

In 1 sentence, describe your job? Working under pressure to ensure all networks and systems run optimally without fail.

Experience vs Training?

Both Experience and training are equally important. You require the training of a particular system to understand how it works, but experience with it to know how it needs to work for the company. The same goes for the technical skills. The Boston Diploma in Network Systems and the Boston Diploma in Systems Development cover managerial as well as IT skills so they provide an excellent entrance to ICT positions.

What qualifications do you recommend?

Boston offers the Diploma in Systems Development and the Diploma in Network Systems. These diplomas require a commitment of time and energy - but they will deliver skills and career opportunities on a local and global level. Of course, there are other shorter qualifications which require shorter time commitments, and these are good for getting into the job market quickly, and gaining more skills as you work. Remember that ICT is a lifelong learning career, but luckily it is also an international one high in demand. Type of personality that would enjoy this kind of career?

The best personality traits to have for this position would be: a positive attitude, prioritisation abilities, accountability, honesty and patience.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

One of the biggest challenges an IT manager faces is to accept all kinds of complaints about systems, staff, networks etc, and get them sorted out without taking any of the complaints personally or to heart.

Advice for grade 11 and 12 learners considering this career?

If you are considering a career as an IT Manager then you will need to learn how to take responsibility for someone else’s actions. In the end, you will be the one everyone looks at when something goes wrong with infrastructure or systems, even if it is not your fault or a fault of the I.T. department you will ultimately need to accept responsibility and sort out the issue. And the best advice? Get started with your studies!

Is continuing education and further studies important in your type of career?

It is always important to study further to improve your skills in IT and to learn new systems

Does the Industry (and your type of position) that you are in, face gender bias?

I would like to think not, but the ratio of men to woman in the IT industry is much higher. I would like to think that a company employs the best candidate for the position and not base the decisions on gender.

Ransomware continues to harm businesses around the world, with cybercriminals’ strategies always evolving.

Increase in ransomware attacks means that businesses must be hyper vigilant and be aware of growing trends that accelerate throughout 2022 in preparing their defences against attacks.

Business analyst at LAWtrust, Riaan de Villiers says cyber threats are the biggest concerns for companies globally.

“Businesses should equip themselves in understanding how threat actors think and have insight into emerging trends. This will enable them to stay ahead of the curve and defend more effectively,” he says.

Security resources must be used in accordance with comprehensive threat intelligence data. The more a business understands about future ransomware groups and their tactics, the better prepared they will be.

According to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2022, cyber threats are the biggest concern for companies globally in 2022, ranking as top three threats in most countries surveyed. The survey also shows that the top three business risks in most countries and regions surveyed, including South Africa, are cyber events, business disruption, and critical infrastructure blackouts. This is in light of the significant rise in ransomware attacks, which 57% of the survey respondents named as the top cyber threat for the coming year.

“Businesses should prioritise guidance from IT partners about installing modern data protection solutions that will detect, prevent and fortify attacks to ensure they are ransomware-proof,” de Villiers adds.

The most common ransomware

LAWtrust analyst Riaan de Villiers

attacks South African businesses face are crypto ransomware or encryptors; one of the most wellknown and damaging variants of ransomware, which encrypts files and data, making them inaccessible without a decryption key. With lockers users are locked out of their computers without access to their files and applications. A ransom demand is shown on a lock screen, sometimes with a countdown clock to encourage victims to act. Petya ransomware encrypts important files the computer needs to function, and makes the operating system unbootable. The files are withheld until the ransom is paid.

Ryuk ransomware encrypts important business files and demands big ransom, targeting businesses, hospitals, and government entities. Doxware or Leakware threatens to expose critical personal or company information online, forcing many to pay the ransom in fear of having their private information shared publicly.

“With ransomware assaults on the rise, businesses should have recovery procedures in place. They should also secure themselves and staff by implementing prevention-based solutions to combat the latest ransomware threats,” de Villiers says.

Read about a day in the life of an IT manager, Shaun Hart

Designation: National ICT Manager, Boston City Campus

Warning on scam emails claiming to be from post office

Customers can spot a message or email that is not from the post office by observing that the post office never asks for import duties or clearance fees in advance

Johannesburg - The South African Post Office (Sapo) has warned customers of scam emails that are aimed at making the receiver pay money into a scam account.

In a statement Sapo said the emails, which are made to appear as if they are from the post office, are titled Your package could not be delivered and say a package can only be released after a fee has been paid, and also include a link.

“Should the receiver click on the link, a page called Bureau de Poste d’Afrique du Sud opens, and requesting payment to release the fictitious parcel. Sapo uses English for communication, and not French. The website features a photo of the gable of the historic Vredefort post office in the Free State,” Sapo said.

Customers can spot a message or email that is not from the post office by observing that the post office never asks for import duties or clearance fees in advance. If

Dept monitors Covid-19 spike

Health experts recently warned that a fifth Covid-19 wave could emerge next month

there are customs fees for a parcel from abroad, the client pays when they collect the parcel from the Post Office counter. The post office never requests your bank account number or online payment for customs duties.

The tracking number on the message is invalid when entered into the postal tracking website, or refers to a parcel that was collected years ago. The post office sends customers an SMS or a collection slip when they have a parcel waiting for collection at a post office branch.

“This parcel should be collected as soon as possible to make sure it is not returned to the sender. Post office branches have separate queues for different transactions, so if you collect a parcel you will go into a shorter, faster queue,” Sapo said.

Anyone with any information about postal crimes is urged to contact the post office’s toll-free hotline 0800 020 070.

Johannesburg - Following the recent increase in Covid-19 infections, the Health Department has said it needs to observe the issue before determining if this is the fifth wave of the virus.

Health experts recently warned that a fifth Covid-19 wave could emerge next month.

Health Department deputy director-general Nicholas Crisp said there could be a number of reasons for this.

“It may be associated with one of the sub-variants of the Omicron. That is what is dominant at the

moment, but it also might be just because we are a bit lax at the moment, for instance we don’t wear masks so diligently,” he said.

Crisp added that they would be watching the data closely, before pronouncing on whether this is indeed the start of the fifth wave of the Corona virus infections.

“We are not sure if this is the variant that is going to do whatever is going to happen in the fifth wave, at the moment we have what we call a flare-up,” he said.

Crisp urged people to get vaccinated, and not wait until it gets too late.

Blood service calls for donations

Johannesburg - The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has announced that it is running critically low on stock across the country, and has called on South Africans to donate blood.

SANBS spokesperson Khensani

Google Play store purges a million apps

The firm uses a two-pronged approach to ensure compliance with its listing terms. Beginning in 2015, it uses a combination of human reviewers and AI tools to flag malicious or non-compliant apps, and bans those in serious violation of its terms.

Own Correspondent

The tradingplatforms.com site has presented data showing that Google’s Play Store app numbers have fallen by a million from four years ago.

Google Play Store hosted 2 591 578 applications by March this year, a 28% drop from the 3,6 million apps the platform held in March 2018. The decline is due to Google’s periodic purges of apps that violate its terms of service.

StockApps analyst Edith Reads says: “Google owes its customers the duty to protect. Its play store is teeming with apps that could interfere with the proper functioning of users’ devices; some of which could even jeopardize the security of users who download them. This reality makes such clean-ups inevitable.”

Google sets standards that app developers must adhere to, including their commitment to adhere to its user data policies. Those policies stress transparency in how those apps

interact with users’ data.

The firm uses a two-pronged approach to ensure compliance with its listing terms.

Beginning in 2015, it uses a combination of human reviewers and AI tools to flag malicious or non-compliant apps, and bans any apps that are in serious violation of its terms and conditions.

The apps store comes with the Google Play Protect software that scans all apps for threats. It also follows a peer grouping policy, where it groups and compares attributes of similar apps for easy monitoring.

Google Play’s almost 2,6-million Android apps listing makes it the largest app store in listing terms. Following in the second spot is the Apple app store, with over 2,3 million applications. The Amazon app store supplies its customers with about 500 000 apps and Tencent store hosts nearly 44 000 apps.

Mahlangu said this was in part due to the recent KwaZulu-Natal flooding disaster.

“At the moment we are unable to meet the demand for blood in the country, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. We are sitting at 2.7 days blood stocks, which puts

significant pressure on us. The devastation in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal has also impacted on our blood collections. We call on all South Africans to please spare 20 minutes of their day to help us continue saving people’s lives,” Mahlangu said.

Health Department deputy director-general Nicholas Crisp

Edith Reads of Stockapps

Awards to celebrate ‘the most incredible’ female entrepreneurs

Johannesburg - The Santam Women of the Future Awards, now in eighth year, recognise and celebrate the most incredible female entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Fair Lady magazine editor Suzy Brokensha says she has been one of the judges of the awards for the past eight years.

“I absolutely love it because it showcases exactly what South African women are capable of. It is not just about the great ideas, although those are always impressive, it is also about the determination to succeed against considerable odds that I find so inspiring. To see these talented, brilliant women rewarded for their grit and effort is a huge joy,” she says.

True Love editor Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa says this year’s awards come at a critical point in the country and economy.

“We have been through the shock of a worldwide pandemic; it was a first for our generation, and quite simply, the worst trauma we have had to live through. For women entrepreneurs in particular, it was life-changing. Businesses that

have survived the past two years or launched over this period need all the support they can get. This is underscored by that women are more likely to become entrepreneurs, given that there are still fewer opportunities available to them, coupled with their responsibilities as primary caregivers. So we are excited and honoured to be part of this year’s project with Santam, alongside our sister magazine, Fair Lady,” Zwane-Siguqa says.

Santam understands that the first 1 000 days of running a business are the hardest.

Santam chief marketing officer Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe says the eight years they have been part of this initiative indicate commitment to showcase the depth and breadth of talent of South African female entrepreneurs.

“We believe that by highlighting their successes, we will inspire the inception of many more women-led start-ups in our country,” she adds.

Entrepreneurs can enter one of three categories. The Santam Woman of the Future title is awarded to an entrepreneur aged 30 or older

whose business is more than 1 000 days old and who is on her way to establish an extensive enterprise. The Santam Rising Star title is awarded to an entrepreneur between 16 and 30 years old who is within her first 1 000 days, but whose business, the judges believe, will flourish way beyond them.

The Santam Social Entrepreneur title is awarded to an entrepreneur aged 30 or older who is making a real difference in her community, and her business has survived the first 1 000 days.

Among the prizes is R100 000 to the Woman of the Future and R60 000 each to the Rising Star and the Social Entrepreneur. There is also a full-page advertisement in Fair Lady or True Love to promote the business, social enterprise or NPO, an hour mentorship with one of the judges, and a one-year supply of beauty partner’s African Extracts Rooibos skincare products worth R7 500.

Entries are currently open and close on 20 June.

For more information visit https://womenofthefuture.co.za.

Cable theft suspects held

Johannesburg - Eight suspects were recently arrested by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) when they were found with stolen copper cables that were estimated to be worth about R1 million.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the officers had followed a lead last Thursday about a truck transporting stolen copper cables in Jeppestown.

“Officers stopped the truck and escort vehicle at corner Commissioner and Johan Paige streets in Jeppestown. They searched the vehicle and eight men were found in possession of stolen copper cables, with an estimated value of R1 million,” Fihla said.

He added that the men were taken to Jeppestown police station and City Power members confirmed that the stolen cables belonged to Telkom.

Bogus doctor conducts abortion

Johannesburg - Police have arrested two suspects aged 20 and 36 for concealment of birth in Albert Street in the CBD.

Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said a 20-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant had an abortion conducted by a Ugandan bogus doctor. “It is alleged that the woman and her boyfriend paid R3 000 and an abortion was conducted by the suspect and his female accomplice, a bogus nurse. The woman told her mother that she had a miscarriage at Alexandra Clinic. Her aunt took her to the clinic to collect the foetus for burial but discovered that she had not been to that clinic. She told her aunt what really happened and was transferred to Edenvale Hospital for medical attention. Police were contacted and she directed them to the crime scene, where the bogus doctor was arrested, while the accomplice who took the foetus is still at large,” Mbele said.

Johannesburg Central station commander Brigadier Perumal commended the swift response by the police, and urged pregnant women not to risk their lives by visiting unregistered places for abortions.

Learning app to boost youth skills

Johannesburg - Trace and the Mastercard Foundation have launched a free, interactive, mobile-based learning application that aims to enable 26 million young Africans acquire marketrelevant skills.

The app, called Trace Academia, is available on Android and iOS and has been successfully tested in four African countries.

Co-founder and chairman of Trace, Olivier Laouchez says users can access courses in English and French, and Portuguese courses will soon be launched.

“The learning content will include technical courses relevant to 15 different industries, including courses in energy, beauty, fashion, DIY, digital marketing, hospitality, the creative arts, journalism, film, and technology, as well as courses that are more broadly relevant, such as entrepreneurship, public speaking, and personal wellness. Each course featured on the application has been designed in collaboration with an industry-leading organisation to ensure its relevance to employers and the job market,” Laouchez says.

He adds that the platform offers young people total flexibility and control over their learning.

“Users can learn at their own pace, in their own time, and customize their journey to the emergent demands they face as they navigate the world of work. The courses are practical and designed in collaboration with market-leading organizations to ensure they are industry relevant,” he says.

Mastercard Foundation chief programme officer Peter Materu says: “The foundation is pleased to support this platform as part of our Young Africa Works strategy to enable 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.”

True Love editor Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa

“We believe that by highlighting their successes, we will inspire the inception of many more women-led start-ups in our country”

Co-founder of Trace Olivier Laouchez

Homeless man seeks to complete master’s degree

Johannesburg - A homeless man is trying to finish his master’s degree and get employed as a lecturer.

The man, Musawenkosi Gibson Nzimande, 34, carries his certificates in a plastic bag, an honours degree in gender studies from UNISA, and his master’s degree from the University of Johannesburg, which has been placed on hold.

In 2019 Nzimande lost his home after a family feud when his mother died and he could no longer afford his studies. He survives through selling recyclable materials, and is often seen pulling a trolley filled with recyclables in Sandton streets.

“I always try to apply for a job on the internet. The only thing I buy is food; I get R50 to R70 a day,” he said.

Nzimande keeps a diary in which he records his dreams, prayers and goals.

“I used to think people living on the streets are in that situation because of drugs, but it is very tough living on the streets,” he said.

He also uses his meagre earnings to research at internet cafes, in a bid to finish his studies, so that his dream of becoming a lecturer can come true.

“Challenges must not bury you, but rather teach you a lesson. I

took it as a challenge, something to grow me in life. I want to get a good job and finish my master’s, I have that dream of becoming a lecturer,” he says.

His former lecturer at UJ, Brett Bennett said they have helped him with clothing.

“We have been coordinating with the university, finding out about this amazing story about this network he has and this resilience. It is so emotional and we are happy that he can restart,” Bennett said.

Those wishing to access the funding initiative to help Nzimande may log into https://www.quicket. co.za/fundraisers/174498-gibsonnzimande. Eyewitness News

Man stabs, rapes woman

Johannesburg - On Sunday police arrested a 33-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed and raped a woman in Fordsburg.

Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the suspect allegedly stabbed and raped a 19-year-old woman in Langerman Street.

Vocational options for school leavers

Johannesburg – The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) has launched higher certificate educational programmes offering school leavers a vocational pathway into the business sector.

The SACAP higher certificates in Business Management and Human Resources Management one-year programmes include industry-oriented content and applications to enable graduates to enter the workplace.

SACAP said while a higher certificate qualification can make up for a Matric without a bachelor’s pass, and serve as a bridge into a degree educational programme, it is also relevant to those who want to make a career change or update their skills.

and Leadership faculty, Lee-Ann Drummond says the new programmes are a form of bridging, providing a number of transferable credits.

“However, they are distinct from the first year of the B.App.Soc.Sci and are NQF5 qualifications with a distinct purpose and learning outcomes. They are independent, coherent and academically credible as a qualification focused on vocational skills-building,” Drummond says.

who need to build HR capacities in their start-up companies and school leavers who seek to acquire vocational skills and build careers in business,” Drummond says.

This qualification is aimed at building foundational business management skills that are based on an understanding of basic theories.

“He allegedly went into her room without invitation and took her child outside. He then returned to the house and wanted to have sex with the woman but she refused. He then stabbed her with a knife in the upper body and raped her. Investigation is underway,” Mbele said.

Over 100 arrested in crime operation

Johannesburg - Police arrested 135 suspects for various offences during crime combating operations last Friday up to Sunday.

Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele

Said the suspects were arrested in Mondeor, Sophiatown, Fairlands, Langlaagte, Brixton, Moffatview, Booysens and the CBD.

“Twenty-one suspects were arrested for domestic violence, two for possession of a hijacked motor vehicle, two for attempted mur-

der, three for armed robbery, 10 for damage to infrastructure, two for possession of unlicensed firearms and one for business breaking. The rest were held for crimes ranging from assault common, assault GBH, theft, kidnapping, shoplifting, malicious damage to property, possession of suspected stolen property, possession and dealing in drugs, concealment of birth, housebreaking and theft, drinking in public and dealing in liquor without a license,” he said.

“The new programmes build on the success of their higher certificate in Communications and Counselling, and augment overall portfolio of higher certificates, bachelor’s and honour’s degrees,” it said.

SACAP head of the Management

This programme equips students with skills needed to provide administrative support to HRM services in industry and execute various human resource functions in the workplace. The qualification is a gateway for further higher education but is also relevant to those wanting to enter the workforce, and needing to upskill in the field of HRM.

“It is ideal for those returning to the workplace and needing to update their skills; for entrepreneurs

“The design of the higher certificate educational programme is based on providing relevant, industry-oriented content and to help students develop practical skills so that they are work-ready and capable of building careers, upskilling or taking a pathway to further studies,” Drummond says.

The CHE-accredited higher certificates in Business Management and Human Resource Management are available at SACAP’s online campus, and each comprise of nine modules and 120 credits over one year.

For more visit https://www.sacap. edu.za/course/higher-certificate-inhuman-resource-management.

The faculty offers school leavers a vocational pathway into the business sector

Graduate Musawenkosi Nzimande Pic: Quicket

Theatre to present top play premiere

Marking 25 years since the country’s first post-apartheid democratic elections, the play Kunene and The King, is an exploration of race, class, politics, theatre, and potentially unifying power of Shakespeare.

Scriptwriting incubator class graduates

Johannesburg - Eleven interns have successfully graduated from the first MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Scriptwriting Incubator.

The MTF is a year-long filmmaking training programme offered in 14 countries across Africa and includes producing films for broadcast on M-Net local channels and Showmax.

In South Africa the MTF launched a Scriptwriting Incubator, a first for Africa, run in partnership with the Wits University’s Film and Television Department and Tshedza Pictures, producers of Legacy, The River and Giyani: Land of Blood

The programme offers practical workplace experience and mentorship from experienced South Afri-

can producers and scriptwriters.

MultiChoice group corporate affairs executive Collen Dlamini said sustainability forms the basis of their CSI initiatives.

“We set out to create learnership programmes that are informative and also provide candidates with insightful practical experience for ease of entry into the workplace. We honour our African roots through the stories we tell. It is important that MultiChoice continues to build on this narrative in everything we do,” Dlamini said.

The programme started in February 2021 and was open to all South Africans with a passion and talent for writing, including those with no formal education. Several applica-

tions were received and the top 40 went through a writing test. Based on that 20 were interviewed and 12 final interns were elected. The end goal was for interns to pitch a palette for a drama series that was good enough for the channel to commission. Five movies have already been commissioned by the channel.

“We are proud of our graduates, one of them has written an episode of The River (S4, episode 147), five have been offered employment by Tshedza Pictures, while other graduates already have jobs lined up,” Dlamini added.

MultiChoice look to expand the script writing programme to other hubs in Africa, Dlamini said.

Writer and actor John Kani does it through a confrontation between two men who represent polarised aspects of the South African experience. Michael Richard plays Jack Morris, a cantankerous old actor who hopes to overcome severe liver cancer to get to Cape Town to play King Lear; and Kani is Lunga Kunene.

Directly from the Ambassador Theatre in London, Joburg Theatre and John Kani present the premiere of Kunene and The King as well as the national tour, directed by Janice Honeyman. The play returns to South African theatres with performances at the Joburg Theatre from 27 May, then moving onto the Playhouse Theatre and Mandela Bay Theatre Complex in July.

After a successful run in Stratford–upon-Avon in 2019, Kunene and the King premiered to a soldout house at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre, before continuing to the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.

tackles personal implications of the supposed new equality. It is listed among the top 10 best plays produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 60 years.

Kani was presented with the Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award in 2021.

Kani says he wrote the play to deal with questions he had within himself.

Own Correspondent

A partnership between the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (Sanava) and Absa has opened applications for the 2022 Absa L’Atelier art competition.

Art curator at Absa Group Dr Paul Bayliss said: “We are calling on our continent’s creators to take their artworks to the world by entering the competition. This will provide an opportunity for visual artists to make their voices heard. We are committed to ensure that young artists from across Africa can reimagine their future and bring their possibilities to life.”

The L’Atelier was re-envisioned in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic forced us to be digitally progressive and make sure artists still get the opportunity to showcase their work, and went entirely digital,” said Bayliss.

The adjudicators select three artists as ambassadors who will each receive a laptop, data and exposure to virtually hosted mentorship and master classes geared towards enabling them to take their careers to the next level.

“In addition the artists will have a collaborative exhibition in the Absa Gallery in November. This will then travel to their respective countries in 2024. They will also have an option to take up a solo exhibition within

a five-year period. This is no longer just about giving artists an amount of money but affording them the skillset to develop,” Bayliss said.

The most deserving South African artist aged 25 to 35 will be eligible for the Gerard Sekoto Award, made possible through the partnership, with the French embassy, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and the Alliance Françoise network.

Sanava president, Dr Avitha Sooful said the partnership bodes well for

the development of African artists whose work will influence the creative economy.

“We hope to double the number of entries, and we call on all artists to become part of the legacy,” Sooful said.

Visit https://latelier.absa.africa.

Joburg City Theatres CEO Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema says: “We are thrilled to partner with a theatre doyen such as John Kani. It is pivotal to always tell our stories as we introspect on history and look forward to building a brighter future as a nation. Theatre is a vehicle; it is the key driver in building the generation of storytellers.”

Penned by actor and playwright Kani, Kunene and the King is set 25 years after the first post-apartheid democratic elections and

“When I finished writing I sent it to a friend, Sir Anthony Sher at the Royal Shakespeare Company, because I had him in mind to play this character, Jack Morris. We opened the play at Stratford in April 2019. We transferred to the Fugard Theatre for a few performances, and then took the West End by storm. It gives me great pleasure to bring it back to South Africa, for the people I write for. Being at the Mandela Theatre is almost completing a journey I have been on for a long time. Kunene and the King asks, we fought for liberation, we fought for freedom, we ended up with democracy, what is democracy?” says Kani.

The play will be staged at The Mandela at Joburg Theatre from 27 May to 19 June, before jetting out to other theatres around the country. Persons under the age of 15 will not be allowed into the show.

For more visit www.joburgtheatre.com or call 0861 670 670.

Graduates of the scriptwriting incubator during the graduation ceremony

Bongani Maseko

Playwright and actor John Kani

The committee includes Dr Victor Mogajane as chairperson, Tumi Dlamini as deputy chairperson, Advocate Anzel Laubscher, Abel Ramolotja and Shakespeare Hadebe other members of the group. They have been tasked with dealing with issues around the candidates and checking if they meet the criteria for nomination in SAFA statutes terms.

SAFA candidates nominated ahead of elective congress

The South African Football Association’s (SAFA) governance committee has received names of candidates nominated ahead of this year’s elective congress on 25 June.

SAFA CEO Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe handed over the documents to the committee at SAFA House on Tuesday.

The committee includes Dr Victor Mogajane as chairperson, Tumi Dlamini as deputy chairperson, Advocate Anzel Laubscher, Abel Ramolotja and Shakespeare Hadebe other members of the group.

They have been tasked with dealing with issues around the nominated candidates and checking if they meet the criteria for nomination in SAFA statutes terms.

Motlanthe said they have not done any background checks because as SAFA administrators they cannot get involved in the matter.

“We have handed the documents to the governance committee chairperson Mogajane. I have to emphasise that this is an independent committee, it will do its work without any interference from us as administrators or anyone who occupies a position at SAFA,” Motlanthe said.

Mogajane said the members have availed themselves to provide assistance to SAFA.

“SAFA has a lot of success stories, but we do not want hangovers. We need to move with the paradigm shift to make things happen on the field and in the boardroom, so that we can help the organisation get to its maximum potential,” Mogajane said.

SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe

Sports Reporter