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Grade R -11 Metropolitan College 170 Pritchard Street Tel – 011 402 9502

Est 2009 Issue 04 - 2021

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28 January - 4 February 2021

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.co.za 072 824 3014

Inner City Gazette

Producers to supply vaccines to Covax

The WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, launched Covax in April to prevent wealthier countries from hoarding vital doses of the vaccine. Grace Dean

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World Health Organisation director Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus

harmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech will supply a quantity of their Covid-19 vaccine to Covax, which was set up by health organisations that include the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide equal distribution of vaccines worldwide. Two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Pfizer and BioNTech will supply Covid-19 vaccines to Covax, the World Health Organisation (WHO) scheme designed to share doses with poorer countries, South Africa expects to get vaccines for 10% of its population via Covax, for a payment of R2.2 billion. The number of doses Pfizer and BioNTech share with the scheme would likely be relatively small, sources said. One said the doses were mainly intended for healthcare workers. The news came a day after Dr Anthony Fauci, US President Joe Biden’s chief medical advisor, said the new administration plans to join Covax. Former president Donald Trump had cut ties with the WHO and refused to sign up to the scheme. The sources did not share information on how much Covax would pay for the doses. Pfizer and BioNTech did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic

Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, launched Covax in April to prevent wealthier countries from hoarding vital doses of the vaccine. Countries sign up to access an equal share of successful vaccine candidates, meaning that the doses are shared among richer and poorer countries. The scheme aims to provide lower-income countries with enough doses to cover 20% of their population. The groups behind the initiative described it as a lifeline, and the only viable way citizens in some of the poorest countries will get the vaccines. But the scheme has struggled to amass as many doses as expected, and even its founders are worried about the initiative. Many wealthy countries that signed up to the scheme, including the UK, EU, and Canada, have struck “side-deals” with pharmaceutical companies to guarantee their supply, researchers at Duke University found. Most of these deals were arranged prior to the vaccines’ approval, whereas Covax has been hesitant to order stocks before they are approved. In December, WHO vaccine director Dr Katherine O’Brien said: “The whole call for global solidarity has mostly been lost.” WHO director-general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said: “The world is on the brink of catastrophic moral failure by failing to give vaccines to poorer countries.”

On Thursday, Covax lowered its forecast from delivering more than 2 billion Covid-19 doses worldwide this year to around 1.8 billion. With this, it plans to vaccinate around 27% of the population of 92 poor countries, it said. Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot, if confirmed, would become the second vaccine supplied to the scheme that already has regulatory approval in some countries, alongside the AstraZeneca-Oxford University shot. Covax also has deals with the Serum Institute of India and Sanofi-GSK, but their shots are still in trial stages. Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine could be tricky to roll out in the countries that Covax was designed to help. It has to be transported at 94 degrees Fahrenheit, causing potential problems with distribution and storage, even in wealthy countries. Global health policy Professor Ted Schrecker at Newcastle University Medical School said as well as lacking the right transport infrastructure, rural settlements in low-income countries may not even have access to a working fridge. In comparison, AstraZeneca-Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine, which is among those with deals with Covax, can be stored, transported, and handled at normal fridge temperatures for at least six months and “administered within existing healthcare settings.” Business Insider


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Inner-city Gazette

News

A Broad Based BCom

gives you the edge in business

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them,” says Chris Grosser. I believe this quote to be 100% authentic as it truly illustrates my personal journey with Boston. So, says Oriellah Davis, BCom of graduate of Boston City Campus. “After school there are so many opportunities staring students straight in the face, however, there always is that daunting question about “What it is you really want to do after school?” How many of us really have the answer to that question? I’m guessing not many. It is because of that daunting question that I found myself enrolling at Boston to begin my tertiary schooling career, and although having no clue as to what it was I wanted I was able to find it through my educational journey at Boston.” Oriellah continues that no matter where you stand on the academic scale, “I found that by doing my BCom degree in Management Marketing that it was an outstanding way for me to secure my future endeavours, whatever they were to be. I think when it comes to getting a job, it’s all about your interpretation of how you can make all those years of theoretical studying into something practical. I really felt that Boston gave me that chance. They very much encouraged me to work hard and follow my passion. As I began to study more and more, I realised that there was so much room to implement the theories and concepts I had learnt in my textbooks into real life situations.” Oriellah continues saying that she is so grateful to Boston as “I had the opportunity to work for 3.5 years and study my BCom simultaneously. In October 2019 I was offered my first Marketing Internship

Oriellah Davis at a Digital Marketing Agency called CBR Marketing. It’s truly been an unbelievably fulfilling experience for me and I hope that all those other hard-working graduates get to experience the same feelings that I was able to experience.” Nonhlanhla Dube, counsellor at Boston, says that “B.Com. Graduates are preferred in the H.R. Department in all areas of Corporate Sector, Tourism, Hospitals and Hotel Industry —because they have the fundamental knowledge of finance, marketing, operations and systems, budgeting and business planning.” Commerce graduates having studied marketing and marketing management can also look at positions in management, consultation, product management, market research, and public relations — in

the Promotional and Advertising Sectors. Banking is an option for graduates of the BCom Management Marketing and the Bachelor of Accounting. Bankers are now involved in customer services, investments, advice and more. Do you enjoy dealing with numbers daily? Can you take pressure? Consider stock broking. There are a whole lot of people involved in the field including the dealing room, the operations, compliance, research, and sales. The Insurance Sector is an area with almost unlimited potential. The Insurance Industry is emerging as one of the largest employers in the country today. Commerce graduates will also find profitable openings in this field as agents or in other capacities. Start generating ideas and let your mind be open to all possibilities. Entrepreneurship is about initiative, imagination, flexibility, creativity and the capacity to see change as an opportunity. Commerce graduates are well suited to entrepreneurial opportunities as they will need the ability to plan and act with a financial background. Nonhlanhla concludes that commerce graduates gain good employment prospects. “The choice is yours, look at all the opportunities, ask questions and seek advice. There is almost no area of business today where your analytical, accounting, marketing, and H.R. skills cannot be used. No other degree has the advantage you have in the job market. You will learn a variety of subjects and develop skills best suited for today’s globalised business requirements”. Call 011 551 2000 www.boston.co.za

28 January - 4 February 2021

Cyber crooks engage in new ‘scramble for Africa’ Global cyber criminals cost the world’s least developed continent billions every year Tech Reporter

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frica’s mobile fraud losses will continue to rise above last year’s $4 billion, to peak at a record $5 billion by the end of 2021 if nothing is done to prevent global cyber criminals from looting the continent’s wealth in a new, virtual scramble for Africa, according to Paris-based antifraud campaigner David Lotfi. Lotfi, CEO of Evina, says in Africa there is a ‘perfect storm’ of a youthful population using almost a billion mobile money accounts, coupled with the Covid-19-related one-third increase in internet traffic. Professional cyber criminals from around the world are costing the world’s least developed continent billions every year that could be spent on infrastructure and social services. Lotfi explains that mobile payment is being impacted by two primary forms of mobile fraud. “Today clickjacking and malicious apps are the two most common forms of mobile fraud. Through the clickjacking technique, a fraudster intercepts a legitimate click and directs the user to a website where sensitive financial and other details can be stolen. Malicious apps are trickier, they have been injected with malware during a disguised app update or right from the start when the user unwittingly downloads the app from the app store, with the same purpose of defrauding the user,” Lotfi says. Evina claims that in the African and Middle Eastern regions the fraud rate is at 27%, and of these fraudulent attacks, 60% are clickjacking and 19% are malicious apps. While embedding malware in malicious apps can be a more refined fraudulent technique,

Evina CEO David Lofti

clickjacking is a very basic type of fraud that has been around for at least five years and mostly eradicated in large parts of the mobile world. “It’s easy to combat and there really is no excuse for the fact that one in three mobile subscriptions in South Africa, for example, are fraudulent. Evina has repeatedly communicated the fact that the fraudsters who continue to loot Africa’s wealth can be beaten with the right tools that we already use to protect millions of mobile transactions worldwide every day,” Lotfi says. Evina is now protecting up to 90% of mobile transaction activities in Ivory Coast, Morocco and Senegal. Evina also secures traffic in African countries such as Mali, Ghana, Congo, Kenya, Botswana, Angola, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and all countries in the Middle East. “Africa is a strategic region of huge importance to Evina and the greater mobile industry because this is where strong double-digit growth is coming from. We cannot allow mobile fraudsters to gain a beachhead on this pivotal continent key to the future fortunes of so many telcos, aggregators and digital merchants,” Lofti says.


28 January - 4 February 2021

Inner-city Gazette

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News

Health dept to roll

out Covid-19 vaccine ‘The first phase will use all health facilities, with a plan to vaccinate around 40 healthcare workers per day’

Mayor Geoff Makhubo with City officials on a visit to the disaster scene

City to help fire victims Johannesburg - The City of Joburg has promised to arrange temporary accommodation for displaced people after a fire razed through their shacks in Booysens. Over 700 shacks were destroyed by the fire last Friday at an informal settlement in the area; no injuries or deaths were reported. Joburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo visited the area to inspect the extent of the disaster, and committed all municipal services to help the victims restore their lives. He said with Housing Department,

Transport, Health and Social Development, they will help the victims. “The affected families will be provided with temporary shelter at the local community centre. They will also be provided with food parcels, hygiene packs and other resources to help them to get back on their feet. My thoughts and prayers are with these families, following the tragic loss of their valuables that were destroyed by the fire,” Makhubo said. He added that there are plans to decongest the area and reduce the sprouting of informal settlements.

Johannesburg - The Gauteng Health Department has announced plans to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine from Monday. The first batch of vials is expected to arrive by the end of this week, and first to be vaccinated are set to be healthcare workers. Health officials said they aim to vaccinate over 10 million Gauteng residents. Head of medical supplies Dumisani Malele said they want to make the vaccine available to as many people as possible. “We plan to vaccinate over 10.72 million people; the vaccinations will be administered in phases, even for frontline workers. There are four prioritisation categories for healthcare workers; category one is those conducting aerosolgenerating procedures, incubation, ventilation and taking Covid-19 specimens,” Malele said. The department said that for the first phase it would be using all its health facilities, both private and public hospitals, with a plan to vaccinate around 40 healthcare workers per day. Gauteng Health MEC Nomath-

emba Mokgethi said the province’s response to Covid-19 is on track, with the Nasrec field hospital now equipped to admit patients. Mokgethi together with other health officials visited the facility on Monday as Gauteng reached its peak. “We are in the process of utilising Nasrec as a field hospital to its full capacity,” Mokgethi said. He added that what happened at the Steve Biko Academic hospital earlier this month was unfortunate, and should not deter the public from seeking medical help in time. “People from Mpumalanga and Limpopo came in almost at the same time, so they had to take that decision to give the people care immediately and not divert them because they were very sick,” Mokgethi said.

Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi

The Gauteng Health Department said it is working to ensure the 500 beds still needed at the Nasrec field hospital are obtained soon, as it expects a rapid increase of Covid-19 patients in the province.


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Inner-city Gazette

News

28 January - 4 February 2021

Last chance to apply for education bursary

MultiChoice SA CEO Nyiko Shiburi

Johannesburg - The MultiChoice South Africa media group has announced that bursaries worth R26 million are still available for 236 students in tertiary education this year. The company said it seeks to make higher learning a reality for students in science, technology, engineering, maths, broadcasting, media, advertising, film and TV, human resources, finance, economics, UI/UX/CX design, communications, consumer insights and law. MultiChoice SA CEO Nyiko Shiburi said: “Investing in these fields of study is critical for the future of our industry and our country. We are excited to provide access to the necessary resources for these future leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to thrive in fulfilling their highest potential.” He added that the programme

‘The programme enables students to focus on their studies without financial stress, as it goes beyond tuition fees to cover registration fees, accommodation, and a living allowance for the year’ enables students to focus on their studies without financial stress, as it goes beyond tuition fees to cover registration fees, accommodation, and a living allowance for the year. Applicants must be South African and registered at a recognised South African institution of higher learning for an undergraduate or post-graduate degree up to Masters’ level. They must also meet the academic performance requirements of a 65% or higher aggregate mark in their previous year of study. The bursaries will be awarded for the 2021 academic year only. They may be renewed, based on availability of funds and the student’s academic performance. Applications close on 31 January 2021. For more information visit the website www.multichoice.com/ careers/bursary-program/.

An eviction scene in a previous incident

Building hijacking suspects held Doornfontein - Forty people were recently arrested on allegations of hijacking a building in Doornfontein, and all of them were charged with trespassing, malicious damage to property and contempt of court. The City of Joburg said the property was allegedly hijacked by people who forcefully took occupation and control of the building. “The owners approached the High

Court where an eviction order was granted in December last year. The eviction was executed and security personnel were deployed to guard the property. However, the suspects attacked the security guards and forcefully moved back into the property the next day,” the City said in a statement. The matter was reported to the police and the City’s Group Forensic

and Investigation Service (GFIS) for investigation. “A sting operation was then conducted in the early hours of Thursday by the JMPD together with GFIS,” the City said. The City urges residents to report fraud and corruption through the 24-hour tipoff hotline 0800 002 587, or visit the GFIS offices at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.

Small business scam alert “Their modus operandi includes identity theft and pretending, through fake emails, to be representatives of government departments and agencies.” Johannesburg - The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has warned small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and co-operatives against sending proposals and paying administration fees for the preapproval of funds to agencies. In a statement on Wednesday the Small Business Development department said: “The DSBD warns SMMEs and co-operatives against fraudulent agencies purporting to be entities or representatives of the department.” The department added that cyber criminals

use national crises and emergencies such as the current Covid-19 pandemic to prey on unsuspecting victims. “Their modus operandi includes identity theft and pretending, through fake emails, to be representatives of government departments and agencies. The department reminds the public that all funding application processes are on its official websites,” the department said. The department has advised the small business sector not to utilise social media platforms to accept any applications. “Access to services for SMMEs and co-operatives is free. Any SMME or co-operative that receives such a request must immediately report the incident to our DSBD hotline 086 677 7867 or send an e-mail to info@dsbd.gov.za.” Valid information on the sector can be found on www.dsbd.gov.za; www.sefa.org.za; www.seda.org. za; or www.mybindu.org.za. SMMEs and co-operatives are encouraged to register their businesses on website www.smmesa. gov.za and funding applications can be done at www.eservices.gov.za.


28 January - 4 February 2021

Inner-city Gazette

News

Vodacom zero-rates GBV app The app strengthens prevention through awareness and education, and directs those affected to support services Own Correspondent Telegram founder Pavel Durov

Telegram founder sees ‘largest digital migration’ in history Jenna Delport

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etwork provider Vodacom has zero-rated its Bright Sky SA app, to ensure that users do not incur any data costs when downloading the app or accessing referral links to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) support services. The company said zero-rating the app, which was launched in November last year, is a critical step in its GBV prevention strategy, given that not everyone can afford data. Vodacom South Africa’s external affairs director Takalani Netshitenzhe said: “Technology has a powerful part to play in solving some of the country’s greatest challenges. But in order for these solutions to be as effective as possible, they also need to address the significant connectivity gap that still exists within this country.” Bright Sky, which provides support and information for anyone in an abusive relationship, is free for download on both iOS and Android devices and is available in English, IsiZulu and SeSotho. The app includes a short quesvent tionnaire to help users identify dif-

he recently announced WhatsApp privacy policy has left many users seeking a more ‘secure’ messaging platform, like Telegram. Telegram founder Pavel Durov says this is “the largest digital migration in human history” after the platform saw a massive increase in active users. Durov adds that many political leaders and public organisations rely on Telegram to combat misinformation and spread awareness on important issues. He says: “Unlike other networks, Telegram doesn’t use non-transparent algorithms to decide whether a subscriber sees content they subscribed to or not. Telegram channels are the only direct way for opinion leaders to reliably connect with audiences. By removing the manipulative algorithms synonymous with 2010s technology platforms, Telegram channels restore transparency and integrity to public communication.” Telegram has surpassed 500 million users; after over 25 million people downloaded the app in a short period. “Twenty-five million users joined Telegram in 72 hours; 38% from Asia, 27% from Europe, 21% from Latin Admirall Solutions America, and 8% from Middle East Garage Doors Motors and North Africa. Alarm Systems People no longer Electric Fencing want to exchange their privacy for Gate Motors free services. They TV Mounting no longer want to Intercoms be held hostage by CCTV / DSTV tech monopolies that seem to think New Installations, they can get away Repairs & Upgrades with anything as long as their apps Contact 074 901 6329 have a critical mass of users,” admirallsystems@gmail.com Durov said.

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ferent forms of abuse; and gives them information about GBV and access to support services. The app strengthens prevention through awareness and education, and directs those affected by GBV to the support services that are available. Genderbased violence in South Africa is unprecedented. According to the latest GVB research, one in four women will experience violence by men and are five times more likely to be killed. A woman is murdered every four hours in South Africa. “In making

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Bright Sky easily accessible, we hope to encourage as many South Africans as possible to download and use it as a resource to help those who may be suffering from abuse, ultimately empowering themselves to help us in pushing back against GBV,” Netshitenzhe said.

Vodacom director Takalani Netshitenzhe

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28 January - 4 February 2021


28 January - 4 February 2021

Inner-city Gazette

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The Arts

SA creatives in ADC global awards jury

Musician Kabelo Togoe and his group in a performance

Pic: Sanmari Marais

Patrons urged to offer Covid-19 relief for artists Thakgatso Setseta

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he South African State Theatre (SAST) has reminded theatre lovers that its programme continues online until further notice. The SAST appeals to patrons to support its cutting-edge online music programme called SAST Fringe, yet another innovative project to continue offering Covid-19 relief and employment for artists under the lockdown. Launched in November 2020, the SAST Fringe has kept the fires burning with live performances when the theatre had its doors reopened under eased lockdown restrictions. Through profiling musicians in genres such as Jazz, Hip Hop, Afro Soul and Afro Pop, the programme

has benefited scores of artists involved on stage and behind the scenes in over 25 productions. The platform provides an opportunity for the working artists that have been on the fringe, but depend on their artistic and technical talents for a living. It is dominated by musicians who are producing music to enter the mainstream commercial market. Every Sunday at 20:00, SAST Fringe brings a new artist. It has already rolled out captivating virtual concerts of industrious musicians such as Kabelo “Bonafide Billi” Togoe, Azah, Blow Lepara, Itu Sings, Manakomba, Tehillahmusic, Ncamisa Nqana and Dudu Makhoba. The shows are available for streaming at R50 a ticket on Webtickets online.

Visit https://www.webtickets.co.za/ v2/client.aspx?item_id=1487000205 &promoterid=1503385656 Upcoming artists on SAST Fringe include Morayks, 31 January; Lebo Ditsepu, 7 February; Gina Mabasa, 14 February; Mandla Ntlaks, 21 February and Moshe Matseke, 28 February. On the eve of the premiere of every featured artist’s show, SAST profiles the performer on its arts magazine programme called On Stage. Hosted by theatre producer Keamogetswe Malefo, On Stage presents a 52 part series of conversations with various artists, opening up about their craft from humble beginnings to breakthroughs. The On Stage programme premieres every Saturday at 19:00 on SAST’s YouTube channel.

Nearly 180 highlyqualified creatives from 36 countries will judge entries from around the world

Artist Karabo Moletsane is in the jury

Johannesburg - The One Club for Creativity has announced four South African top creatives who will serve on its diverse jury ever for the historic ADC 100th Annual Awards, a global competition celebrating excellence in craft and innovation in all forms of design and advertising. Nearly 180 highly-qualified creatives from 36 countries will judge entries from around the world. The jurors from South Africa and their judging disciplines are Mzi Khumalo, founding partner/director, OLAMUK, Johannesburg (Motion/Film/Gaming Craft); Neo Mashigo, CCO, M&C Saatchi Abel, Johannesburg (Advertising); Karabo Moletsane, illustrator, street artist, graphic designer, Johannesburg (Illustration); Artwell Nwaila, head of creative, Google South Africa, Johannesburg (InHouse); Kyley Potgieter, head of

design experience, Nedbank, Johannesburg (Packaging & Product Design) and Sibusiso Sitole, CCO, The Odd Number, Bryanston, Gauteng (Advertising). One Club for Creativity CEO Kevin Swanepoel said: “For the past century the ADC Cube has been awarded for the world’s best work based on excellence in craft, design and innovation.” Entries can be submitted now, with fees increasing after each deadline period. Regular deadline is 12 March 2021, with the extended deadline being 19 March 2021; and the final deadline being 26 March 2021. All judging for the awards will take place online. No physical entries will be accepted this year, eliminating shipping costs for entrants. To enter the Awards, go to https:// www.oneclub.org/adcawards/.

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PHOTOGRAPHY Contact: 072 824 3014 Email: moshegraphy@gmail.com Instagram: @moshe_photography

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SAFA prepares for Afcon Bafana face the Black Stars of Ghana on 25 March in the penultimate Afcon qualifier, before travelling to Sudan for the final match in Khartoum Sports Reporter

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uring a Bafana Bafana technical team workshop at SAFA House on Sunday South African Football Association (SAFA) president Dr Danny Jordaan emphasised the need for all national teams to do well at international level to fulfil the association’s Vision 2022 blueprint. Jordaan said most of the national teams have done extremely well. “The icing on the cake would be for the senior men’s national team to qualify for both the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar,” he said. He also urged all coaches to scout for South African players plying their trade in Europe and who are eligible to play for South Africa. “There are so many players born in South Africa and some who have

South African heritage who qualify to play for our national teams. Let’s go to Europe and identify them, they can only make our national teams stronger,” Jordaan said. The two-day workshop, which ran from 23-24 January, was attended by among others Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki and his entire technical and support staff. Also in attendance was the men’s under-23 coach David Notoane and technical director Frans Mogashoa. The workshop was largely to prepare for the upcoming crucial Afcon qualifiers against Ghana and Sudan in March this year. Bafana face the Black Stars of Ghana on 25 March in the penultimate Afcon qualifier, before travelling to Sudan for the final match in Khartoum. Two top teams from the group qualify for the Afcon tournament in Cameroon.

Bafana action in the previous Afcon encounter against Ghana

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